The UK is allocating £25 million to launch the SPIRIT programme to support inclusive and sustainable social recovery in Ukraine.
This was reported by the UK government website.
"In collaboration with Government of Ukraine, UNICEF and the World Bank, £25m of UK funding will support an inclusive and sustainable social recovery in Ukraine," the statement reads.
In implementing the programme, the UK will collaborate with UNICEF Ukraine, the World Bank, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the European Union, and key partners in the social sector. SPIRIT (Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience, Innovation, and Transformation) will support the Ukrainian government in carrying out social reforms, bringing together ministries and local authorities, international financial institutions, donors, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
"I am proud that the UK is announcing critical funding for Ukraine’s social recovery. The £25m contribution will strengthen Ukraine’s social systems and services that are under overwhelming pressure from Russia’s brutal invasion. Investing in Ukraine’s social systems is an investment in Ukraine’s people - and we know that Ukraine’s people are its greatest resource," said the British Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris
One of the key priorities of the programme is to improve access to high-quality social services at the community and family levels for at least 10,000 families with children in 10 regions. It also includes the creation of a Social Recovery Office within the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine to promote reforms, improve coordination, and strengthen cooperation with international financial institutions and development partners. Additionally, a series of cross-sector initiatives will be launched to support social recovery and inclusion priorities in Ukraine.
"Addressing social cohesion and inclusion, including meeting the needs of vulnerable populations will contribute to maximizing benefits of Ukraine’s post-war recovery economic growth. The SPIRIT program will help build institutional capacity to support veterans, people with disabilities, and other at-risk groups while advancing Ukraine’s EU integration goals," said Bob Saum, World Bank Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe.
