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Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European IntegrationResults
The project “Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration” is one of the initiatives within the Green Recovery Platform for Ukraine.
The project was implemented by the All-Ukrainian Civic Organization “Living Planet” in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Its goal was to identify the potential for creating new green jobs during Ukraine’s recovery and the opportunities for reintegrating Ukrainian veterans and participants of the Russian-Ukrainian war into the green labour market.
The project’s main objectives were to conduct in-depth research and engage key stakeholders in developing a roadmap for increasing the number of new green jobs and supporting veterans’ reintegration into the green labour market, based on the findings and international best practices.
Status: CompletedTarget Region: Nationwide / Across UkraineImplementation Period: 2025Funding Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The integration of green jobs into Ukraine’s labour market, both now and in the post-war period, is an important component of the country’s recovery plan and economic restructuring. Following the extensive destruction of infrastructure and industry, Ukraine faces an urgent need for sustainable recovery, alongside the challenge of reintegrating veterans affected by the war.
In May 2024, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine reported around 1.2 million registered veterans This number is expected to increase several times over after the war ends.
Together with the ILO, UNEP actively supports the development of green jobs through:● conducting research and analysing the potential for green jobs;● developing strategies and recommendations for governments and businesses;● providing technical support to countries in implementing green initiatives;● promoting international cooperation in the field of green jobs.
Project Activities
The project was launched in early 2025 and included several stages:
1) Review of existing studies, legal acts, and standards to assess the current state of green jobs, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for developing the green labour market in Ukraine.
This desk research focused in particular on issues such as gender equality and inclusion, in order to take into account the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including women veterans and the families of fallen defenders.
The findings of the desk research formed the basis for the field research, ensuring its relevance and alignment with the project’s objectives.
2) Field research – surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.● Survey of 120 employers● Survey of 1,040 veterans● 27 in-depth interviews● 10 focus groups with stakeholders across selected priority economic sectors
The data collected helped refine the initial understanding of the potential for creating green jobs and integrating veterans into the green labour market.
During the first and second stages, the project applied research methods recommended by UNEP, ILO, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Reference documents:Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon WorldOECD Employment Outlook 2024: The Net-Zero Transition and the Labour Market
3) Data analysis and review of the experience of Ukrainian businesses in pursuing sustainable development during the war and creating green jobs.
It was identified that the most significant challenge for all employers is labour shortages. The lack of workers, combined with the need to improve their competencies and skills to support the green transition, will require the introduction of systematic training programmes.
Reference document:Global Green Skills Report 2024
4) Final stage – development of a roadmap for increasing the number of new green jobs and supporting the reintegration of veterans into the green labour market, including several rounds of public discussion of the draft document.
As a result of the project activities, an analytical report with annexes was prepared. Experts from UNEP and ILO participated alongside experts from the Living Planet NGO at all stages of the project, starting from the development of the research methodology.
Communications
All stages of the project included information support provided by the project implementers and partners. The communication strategy was based on the principles of trust, partnership, and a results-oriented approach. It covered key government, regional, and civil society platforms, while also making use of modern digital tools.
This made it possible to raise awareness of the project, highlight the benefits of green jobs, and engage millions of users in project activities, including users of the Diia.Business platform, information resources of the State Employment Service, local communities, and other partners.
On 7 April, the project was presented on the sidelines of the first International Forum of the Green Recovery Platform for Ukraine.
Green jobs are an investment in sustainable development, energy independence, and the country’s economic security.
Selected publications on partners’ information platforms
Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine – Green Recovery of Ukraine: New Opportunities for War Veterans and Economic DevelopmentMinistry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine – A New “Green” Labour Market Is Emerging in UkraineConfederation of Builders of Ukraine – We Invite You to Share Your Views on the Employment of Service Members and Veterans!Association of Small Cities of Ukraine – Decent Work for Our DefendersUkrainian Agrarian Confederation – Supporting the Recovery of Ukraine’s EconomyFederation of Organic Movement of Ukraine – Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European IntegrationZaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine – Employer Survey Conducted Within the Project “Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration”
Focus Groups
The focus groups were held as discussions across different types of economic activity identified as priority areas, taking into account the objectives of the research.
Target audienceGovernment authorities responsible for policymaking and sectoral development, local communities, businesses, veterans’ associations, educational and research institutions, and civil society expert organisations.
10 June (hybrid format, Kyiv) – Transport and Infrastructure: Current State and Prospects for Creating Green Jobs11 June (hybrid format, Chernihiv) – Green Jobs in the Water Sector and Water Resource Management12 June (hybrid format, Lviv) – Creating Green Jobs in Forestry13 June (hybrid format, Kyiv) – Green Jobs in Land Reclamation and Territorial Restoration17 June (hybrid format, Kyiv) – Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Cleaner Production18 June (in-person, Kyiv) – Green Construction19 June (hybrid format, Odesa) – Environmentally Friendly Construction Products20 June (hybrid format, Odesa) – Sustainable Tourism24 June (hybrid format, Kyiv) – Demining of Land and Forest Areas, Buildings, and Structures25 June (hybrid format, Ivano-Frankivsk) – Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, and Fishing
Roundtable Discussions
26 June (in-person/online, Kyiv) – Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration
8 October (in-person/online, Kyiv) – Green Skills for Ukraine’s Recovery: A Dialogue Between Government and Business
Stakeholder Conference
On 11 November 2025, the stakeholder conference “Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration” took place in Kyiv. The event was held in a hybrid format and brought together more than 600 participants, including representatives of government authorities, international organisations, businesses, local communities, educational and research institutions, and civil society organisations.
The conference was opened with the participation of:● Ihor Zubovych, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine● Olena Kryvoruchkina, Member of Parliament of Ukraine and Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy● Pier Carlo Sandei, authorised representative of the United Nations Environment Programme in Ukraine (UNEP)● Dzemal Hodzic, Chief Technical Adviser of the International Labour Organization representation in Ukraine (ILO)
Publications by the main thematic sections of the Conference:The State Environmental Inspectorate Creates Green Jobs and Engages Veterans in Environmental ProtectionDiscussing the Prospects for Creating Green Jobs with StakeholdersSuccess Stories of Ukrainian Employers in Creating Green Jobs
Donor Conference
On 3 March, the final presentation of the research findings “Green Jobs in Ukraine’s Recovery: Veterans’ Reintegration into the Labour Market” was held at Hyatt Regency Kyiv. The event took place at a high level, with the participation of heads of government authorities and representatives of the embassies of the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Japan, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Finland, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium, Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan.
Booklet: GREEN JOBS: for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration (Key Messages)
Presentations on the research topic were delivered by:● Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine● Pier Carlo Sandei, authorised representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Ukraine● Aida Lyndaimyr, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Ukraine● Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine● Maryana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine● Hanna Zamazieieva, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine
Alina Sevostianova, Project Manager of the Living Planet NGO, presented the research methodology, stages, and findings together with the roadmap.
Presentation: Green Jobs for Ukraine’s Recovery and European Integration
More detailed overview and key takeaways from the Conference:
Green Jobs in Ukraine: High-Level Presentation of the Research Findings
Conference participants noted the relevance of the research and emphasised that the next step should be coordination and joint efforts to attract technical assistance and investment aimed at implementing the recommendations presented in the report. This will help ensure the large-scale creation of green jobs. The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026), which will take place in June in Poland, may provide a strong impetus for this process.
Analytical Report
Analytical report: Assessment of the Current Status and Potential for Creating New Green Jobs with the Reintegration of Veterans into the Green Labour Market
Annexes
Annex 1. Methodology of the analytical study
Annex 2. EU policies and legislation EU and Ukraine
Annex 3. Main economic sectors, goods and services according to the UNEP methodology, EU classification, and according to the analysis of the Ukrainian market with occupation codes
Annex 4. Survey of 1,040 veterans
Annex 5. Survey of 120 employers
Annex 6. 27 in-depth interviews
Annex 7. 10 focus groups with stakeholders on priority economic activities
Annex 8. Justification of the forecast of creating up to 2 million green jobs
Annex 9. Sectoral analysis and recommendations
Annex 10. Draft roadmap for increasing the number of new green jobs and reintegration of veterans into the green labor market
Consolidated Table of Comments Received from Public Authorities Following the Public Consultation on the Draft “Roadmap” for Expanding Green Jobs in Ukraine
Partners
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of UkraineMinistry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of UkraineMinistry of Veterans Affairs of UkraineState Employment Service of UkraineState Statistics Service of UkraineState Ecological Academy of Postgraduate Education and ManagementKyiv Regional Employment CentreEuropean Business AssociationUkrainian Chamber of Commerce and IndustryZaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry of UkraineConfederation of Builders of UkraineAssociation of Small Cities of UkraineUkrainian Veterans FundUkrainian Agrarian ConfederationNational Association of the Extractive Industries of UkraineFederation of Organic Movement of UkraineFSC UkraineNational Transport University
Activities
Stay connected for upcoming events,insights, and collaborative actions driving Ukraine’s Green Recovery.
Name: Kick-off Meeting of the Project «Environmental Assessment of Industrial and Agricultural Sites in Kyiv Oblast»
Type: Meeting [Offline/Online]
Status: Completed
UNEP, with support from the Czech Republic, launches a project to assess industrial and agricultural sites in Kyiv Oblast. The meeting will present objectives, methodology, and coordination mechanisms to address war-related and legacy pollution.
Name: Working Group on Asbestos Management and Kick-off Meeting of the Project «Enhancing Hazardous Waste Management in Ukraine»
Type: Meeting [Offline/Online]
Status: Completed
UNEP, with support from Japan, launches a project on safe asbestos debris management. The session will update the asbestos working group, outline project steps, and define partner roles in addressing hazardous waste challenges.
Name: "Green Criteria for Public Investment Management in Ukraine" National Workshop
Type: Meeting [Offline/Online]
Status: Completed
UGRP convenes a national workshop on green criteria for public investment management in Ukraine. The session will present proposed criteria, align them with EU and UNECE frameworks, and gather stakeholder input for integration into the DREAM platform.
Name: Working Group on Asbestos management first meeting in 2026
Type: Meeting [Offline/Online]
Status: Planned on January 14th, 2026
This meeting will provide an opportunity to review progress since our October meeting, coordinate ongoing activities among partners, discuss challenges and solutions in project implementation, and plan priority actions for the coming months.
News and Updates
To keep stakeholders informed, the platform provides the latest news and updates on green recovery initiatives, policy developments, and collaborative efforts:
Get in Touch with the Green Recovery Platform
To foster collaboration and engagement, the platform provides a direct communication channel for stakeholders, partners, and interested contributors:
Should you face any problem in your registration, please do not hesitate to contact us at au.moc.prgu%40troppus