Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture and UNICEF join forces for Ukraine’s ecological transformation

The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and UNICEF are launching the joint implementation of several projects in the areas of water resource management, waste management, and environmental education for youth. Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Iryna Ovcharenko held a meeting with UNICEF representatives in Ukraine, during which the parties outlined specific steps for cooperation over the next two years.

Key areas of cooperation:

Improving water resource management

A structure for the National Water Cadastre will be established, enabling centralised monitoring of the state of surface and groundwater, with subsequent integration into open state systems. This will enhance transparency, facilitate efficient planning of water resource use, and help prevent pollution.

Pilot waste management clusters

The launch of the first pilot waste management cluster will test modern models of separate collection, processing, and resource reuse. Based on the pilot’s results, proposals will be developed for national-scale implementation.

Environmental education and youth engagement

In partnership with UNICEF, mechanisms will be created by 2027 to involve youth in environmental policy, including through youth councils, educational campaigns, and sustainable development projects in communities.

Legislative integration and European standards

Under the partnership, a series of legislative initiatives is being prepared in the areas of waste, chemical safety, and water resource management, aimed at harmonisation with EU law.

“Cooperation with UNICEF opens new opportunities for Ukraine in environmental policy. We plan to create a modern water cadastre, launch pilot waste management projects, and engage youth in shaping decisions that affect our environment. These are not merely technical projects; they are an investment in the quality of life of every Ukrainian and the future of our country,” stressed Iryna Ovcharenko.

Expected outcomes of the cooperation:

• Renewal of the Memorandum between the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture and UNICEF, and the launch of joint information campaigns.
• Establishment of the National Water Cadastre structure and the launch of a pilot waste management cluster.
• Full integration of the cadastre into open systems, adoption of laws on waste and chemical safety, and creation of a national programme for youth engagement in eco-policy.

The collaboration between the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and UNICEF in ecological transformation is designed to promote the creation of an environmentally safe environment, foster societal environmental awareness, and implement European standards in natural resource management.