Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-22

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Council of Europe (CoE) Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2021 continues earlier work of CoE in Ukraine (Action Plan 2015-17). Through this action Plan the CoE together with Ukrainian government and other stakeholders aims to strengthen human rights, legislation and democracy in accordance with European human rights standards. The Action Plan supports Ukraine's reforms and priorities. The main achievements of the Action Plan for 2015-2017 have been adoption of constitutional amendments regarding the judiciary, establishment of the new Supreme Court, Council of Prosecution becoming operational, the legal position of the internally displaced people has been improved and free legal aid has been improved. Action Plan for 2018-21 emphasises the reforms aiming to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the justice system, the application of European human rights standards, the improvement of governance and access to free legal aid as well as protection of rights of minorities and internally displaced persons. Due to its wide experience CoE has a key role in these reforms. The total budget of the Action Plan for 2018-21 is 30 million euro. Finland's contribution was 0.5 million euro. Following the decision of the Committee of Ministers at their 1380th meeting on 1 July 2020 to extend the Action Plan until the end of 2022 to enable all the objectives set therein to be achieved. The estimated cost of full implementation has increased from €29.5 million to €38.4 million. To support the Council of Europe Action plan is included in the Finland's Ukraine Country Programme 2021-2024. The additional purchase is 500,000 euros.