World Bank to continue financing Ukraine’s reconstruction programs in 2025

This was discussed at a meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and World Bank Vice President for Eure and Central Asia Antonella Bassani, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry of Economy.

The parties discussed further financing of the RISE program, housing sector tos and mortgage programs, support for Ukraine in long-term economic modeling, and the launch of the I_Can program for regional develment.

"The RISE program is an example of excellent coeration between the Ministry of Economy and the World Bank. By the end of this year, a payment of $250 million will be made. Next year, we expect to attract additional funds. The RISE program will support up to 20 thousand small and medium-sized enterprises and will contribute to the creation of more than 40,000 jobs thanks to state business support programs,” Svyrydenko noted.

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In addition, the parties discussed the promotion of the housing sector strategy. Last month, by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, a relevant working group launched its work.

 “We are ready to start the actual process of analyzing and modeling the housing sector in close coeration with the World Bank this month, including the develment of an timal financial model for social housing and the ‘rent-to-buy’ approach. And during the first half of 2025, based on financial modeling, we plan to devel an updated strategy for Ukrfinzhytlo, the company that administers the eOselya preferential mortgage program,” the minister noted.

Svyrydenko also expressed expectations for the rapid launch of the I_CAN project, which is aimed at develing regions. This will help attract investments to communities, restore affected regions, and return pele there.

The First Deputy Prime Minister thanked the World Bank for systematically attracting funding for the reconstruction of Ukraine through its programs. The other day, the Austrian government transferred EUR 10 million in grant contributions to the World Bank’s Ukraine Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF). These funds will be used to restore Ukraine’s energy sector and other critical infrastructure, as well as to support the implementation of priority reforms.

As reported, the Ukraine Support, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) was established in December 2022 and has since become a platform for mobilizing grant assistance from international partners to address the consequences of the war. Since then, the fund has implemented several important projects, including housing reconstruction, the creation of protective structures for energy infrastructure facilities, and affordable financing under the Affordable Loans 5-7-9 program in agriculture.