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.

The Council of Europe's (CoE) Action Programme for Ukraine 2018-2021 follows the previous programme implemented in 2015-17. CoE will implement the Action Programme together with the Ukrainian authorities and other actors, focusing on strengthening human rights, the rule of law and democracy in accordance with European standards and standards. The action programme supports Ukraine's own reforms and the country's priorities. The main achievements of the 2015-17 action programme have included the implementation of constitutional reforms in the judiciary, the establishment of a new Supreme Court, the launch of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the improvement of the legal status of internally displaced people and the development of a public legal aid system. The follow-up programme will place particular emphasis on the development of the Ukrainian judiciary to be more independent and effective, the application of European human rights standards, the efficiency of public administration, access to legal aid and the rights of minorities and internally displaced people. Because of its expertise, CoE a key role to play in these reforms. The programme sections are the rule of law, human rights and democracy. The project supports Finland's development policy priority three i.e. the democratic and functional capacity of societies has been strengthened and priority one i.e. strengthening the rights and status of women and girls. Strengthening the rule of law, democracy and human rights is also part of Finland's country programme for Ukraine 2021-2024. The project supports Finland's Ukraine Strategy 2021-2024. The Action Programme contributes to the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular 4, 5,10,11 and 16. The cost estimate for the entire action programme 2018-2021 was EUR 29.5 million. On 1 July 2020 the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision extending the action programme until the end of 2022 in order to achieve the objectives set. The estimated cost of full implementation has increased to EUR 38.4 million. Finland has previously contributed EUR 1 million to the financing of the current Action Programme.