Today, we took the opportunity of hearing from Simon O’Connor, Head of Secretariat for the Ukraine Donor Platform (UDP, https://ukrainedonorplatform.com), in a detailed discussion about the platform’s crucial role in supporting Ukraine. Simon, an official with over 25 years of experience in policy and communications, took up his role in July 2024 and provided invaluable insights into how international assistance is being coordinated for Ukraine’s immediate financing needs and long-term recovery.
The Ukraine Donor Platform was established in December 2022 by the G7. Its overarching mandate is to coordinate support for Ukraine’s budgetary financing needs, as well as its economic recovery and reconstruction needs. The platform aims to direct resources in a coherent, transparent, and inclusive manner, facilitating effective and efficient planning and delivery of assistance between donors and the Ukrainian government.
The UDP boasts a robust structure, co-chaired by the European Commission, the United States, and the Government of Ukraine. Its permanent members include the G7 countries, the European Commission (representing the EU as a whole), and the Government of Ukraine. Additionally, five temporary members – Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the Republic of Korea – provide support, renewed annually based on their contribution thresholds. Key International Financial Institutions (IFIs) like the IMF, World Bank, IFC, OECD, EIB, EBRD, and the Council of Europe Development Bank are also active participants.
At its core, the UDP is governed by a Steering Committee, comprised of senior government representatives who meet approximately quarterly, often in Kyiv or in the margins of recovery conferences. Complementing this is the Experts Group, essentially a gathering of “sherpas” from the Steering Committee members, chaired by Simon O’Connor every two weeks to prepare for Steering Committee meetings and delve into specific issues.
Crucially, Simon O’Connor clarified that the UDP does not have its own funds. Instead, its mandate is to coordinate and facilitate the efficient use and disbursement of funds made available by its membership. This includes funding from the European side via the Ukraine facility, contributions from non-EU countries, guaranteed IFI contributions, and the G7 ‘Gra loan initiative’ financed by proceeds from Russian immobilized assets.
A primary focus of the UDP is budgetary financing, which is a key priority for the coming months. The platform works to mobilize financing for Ukraine for 2026 and beyond, collaborating closely with the IMF, G7 finance track presidency, the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance, and the European Commission. This ensures that evolving needs are effectively communicated from the government to donors, facilitating coordinated support mobilization.
On the recovery and reconstruction side, the UDP works in close partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories. They organize regular meetings to address urgent needs, especially in preparation for winter (including energy infrastructure), and support Ukraine’s reform progress linked to conditionalities from the EU, IMF, and World Bank. Fundamental issues such as rule of law, anti-corruption, and public investment management are also central to their work, aiming to maximize the efficient use of resources and Ukraine’s absorption capacity for “shovel-ready” projects.
Recognizing the vital role of the private sector, the UDP established a Business Advisory Council (BAC) over a year ago. Initially chaired by the CEO of Siemens Energy and now by a representative of Italy’s business association, the BAC provides independent advice and operational input to improve the business climate and mobilize foreign investment. Over the past year, the BAC has evolved to provide more tangible, operational recommendations, notably in mobilizing the insurance and reinsurance community to address obstacles to private sector investment. The UDP also maintains a “one-stop shop” on its website, compiling d-risking instruments and funding mechanisms available to businesses interested in investing in Ukraine.
While civil society organizations are not direct members of the platform, the UDP maintains a standing commitment to engage with Ukrainian civil society. Regular exchanges are organized, as seen in a successful event in April with 40-50 civil society organizations, and further discussions are planned. This engagement underscores the platform’s commitment to an inclusive recovery, although the platform’s high-level coordination role means it does not delve into granular project-level monitoring.
When it comes to monitoring impact and donor coordination, the UDP actively collects high-level donor data twice a year and conducts “data deep dives” for specific sectors. This information is then married with updates on urgent priority needs provided by Ukrainian ministries to help connect the dots between support and evolving requirements. The platform consistently reiterates the importance of inclusive investments, including gender and disability inclusion, though detailed project implementation and monitoring of such specific clauses typically occur at the sector working group level or through individual donor requirements.
A critical aspect of the UDP’s work involves aligning reform targets and conditionalities from various donors (e.g., European Commission, IMF, World Bank). The platform facilitates briefings from the Ukrainian government and the European Commission on reform progress, ensuring transparency. Coordination primarily occurs bilaterally between major donors and the Ukrainian government, who are best placed to highlight potential clashes or duplications, ensuring that conditionalities are complementary rather than contradictory. Simon O’Connor highlighted that the UDP is quite a unique body in its permanent structure, bringing together diverse administrations and the beneficiary government directly within its structures.
Looking ahead, the UDP’s activities and planning are regularly updated on its website and X account. The platform and its members are also engaged in reflections on the post-war situation, preparing for the significant increase in reconstruction work expected once peace is achieved. The focus remains on working closely with Ukraine to prepare for this future, building on the impressive reconstruction efforts already underway.
Key Use Cases of the Ukraine Donor Platform
Strategic Coordination of Aid
- UDP brings together international donors and Ukrainian authorities to define, prioritize, and sequence needs for recovery and reconstruction.
- Ensures that financial contributions from governments, international organizations, and financial institutions are delivered in a coherent, transparent, and inclusive manner, avoiding duplication.
Funding Allocation and Budget Support
- Manages and coordinates grants, loans, and other types of economic assistance to fill Ukraine’s national budget gaps resulting from the ongoing conflict.
- Oversees the disbursement of emergency and longer-term funds, including those earmarked for infrastructure, housing, energy, and essential services.
Private Sector and Community Recovery
- Supports the mobilization of the private sector in reconstruction initiatives, including industry-focused aid and risk-sharing mechanisms for businesses.
- Coordinates with local and regional authorities to ensure efficient delivery and implementation of aid at the community level.
Anti-corruption and Accountability
- Embeds anti-corruption measures through risk management, third-party monitoring, and harmonization of reporting among donors.
- Encourages safe, inclusive whistleblowing and strengthens institutions for oversight to safeguard the integrity of aid flows.
Civil Society and Public Engagement
- Facilitates dialogue between donors, Ukrainian authorities, and civil society organizations to set priorities for recovery, enhance transparency, and encourage informed public participation.
- Enables local governments and citizens (including internally displaced persons) to have a say in the planning and assessment of reconstruction efforts.
Thus, the UDP is essential for managing support to Ukraine, streamlining assistance, promoting reforms, and enhancing transparency in the face of ongoing conflict and future rebuilding.