Ukraine and Expertise France sign Memorandum of Cooperation to rebuild Chernihiv region

Photo: Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and General Director of Expertise France Jérémy Pelle / Photo by Mykola Tymchenko

Onischenko Elena

"We are already working on specific projects that will be fully or partially implemented in the Chernihiv region in the total amount of more than 5 million euros," said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, during the event.

Rubryka reports this.

What is the problem?

At the beginning of the full-scale war of the Russian Federation, a large part of the Chernihiv region became a field of heavy fighting: important bridges, cultural objects, hospitals, educational institutions, and human housing were destroyed and damaged. The region continues to suffer from Russian shelling, especially along the border. To restore a full-fledged life, huge funds are needed, which the region and Ukraine generally do not have.

What is the solution?

The French delegation was one of the first to visit the Chernihiv region in 2022 after the de-occupation of the area and offered help. The head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, Viacheslav Chaus, recalled this on March 4, when a memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, and the French international technical cooperation agency Expertise France.

How does it work?

Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine, emphasized:

"Quick and transparent recovery is possible only in strong and capable communities. Today, we took another big step to strengthen our communities. Our common goal is to contribute to the fastest possible recovery of the Chernihiv region."

According to him, signing the memorandum became an official confirmation of aspirations for the restoration of the region.

^{In the photo: Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov, head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Viacheslav Chaus, French Ambassador to Ukraine Gael Vaissier, and General Director of Expertise France Jérémy Pelle / Photo by Mykola Tymchenko}

After all, as Viacheslav Chaus, the head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, noted, France has already provided the Chernihiv region with six bridges, school buses, humanitarian support, assistance in restoring shelters, etc.

^{In the photo: Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine – Minister of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov / Photo by Mykola Tymchenko}

Oleksandr Kubrakov listed the projects that will be implemented in the Chernihiv region in the future:

• Conservation of the roof of the regional academic theater in Chernihiv.
• Support of Ukrainian startups and innovations at the local level, in particular in the Chernihiv region.
• Provision of priority assistance in the field of health care and restoration of anti-radiation shelters in central hospitals of the Chernihiv region.
• Support local self-government bodies in restoring and decentralizing the Chernihiv region and others.
• "This memorandum cements what already exists and takes a step forward: Expertise France will also help communities in their development," said Viacheslav Chaus.

France provides international technical assistance to Ukraine precisely through the organization of international technical assistance. Expertise France through implementing the "mAIDan Ukraine/Maidan Ukraine" project.

^{In the photo: head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Viacheslav Chaus, French Ambassador to Ukraine Gael Vaissier, and General Director of Expertise France Jérémy Pelle / Photo by Mykola Tymchenko}

As the General Director of Expertise France, Jeremy Pelle, emphasized, within the framework of this cooperation, in particular, funds were allocated for the rapid restoration of the Taras Shevchenko Academic Theater in Chernihiv, which was damaged by Russian shelling.

By signing a memorandum, Expertise France expands cooperation with the Chernihiv region.

Initiatives in the field of health care are one of Expertise France's priority areas of activity. At the same time, the organization will continue to expand support in other regions of Ukraine, particularly by implementing projects in the fields of justice and innovation with the support of the European Union.

For reference:

The City Hospital No. 4, which was damaged twice by the Russians in the first year of the full-scale invasion, has been restored in the Mykolaiv region.

An ophthalmology hospital damaged by the occupiers was also restored in the Mykolayiv region.