THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN UKRAINE’S RECOVERY: HOW TO ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE IMPACT?
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to identify the role and effectiveness of international technical assistance in Ukraine's recovery during the war and in the post-war period, with a focus on identifying approaches that can ensure its long-term sustainability. Research methodology. The study uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines institutional analysis, assessment of OECD/CDR criteria, and synthesis of domestic and international practices. A comparative analysis of donor structures, types of international technical assistance, and mechanisms for its implementation is supplemented by observations based on specific examples of individual recovery projects in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the logic of sustainable development and institutional integration of donor resources. Results. The study examines the role of ITA in the process of military and post-war recovery in Ukraine in the context of a deep economic and social crisis caused by full-scale Russian invasion. The dynamics of international technical assistance are analyzed and key donors are identified. It answers the question of whether such assistance can provide not only short-term support but also become a factor in the country's long-term development. Practical significance of the study results. The practical conclusions of the study contain a number of recommendations for strengthening institutional capacity and improving project effectiveness: creating a single digital register and coordination center for ITAs; introducing results-oriented project logic with project exit; integration of projects into national development plans; adoption of a legal framework that ensures transparency and compliance with international standards. These conclusions are particularly relevant given the expected reduction in foreign aid (e.g., from USAID) and the need for Ukraine to develop more autonomous, sustainable, and accountable recovery mechanisms. The findings can also serve as a basis for developing future frameworks for international technical assistance in fragile and conflict-affected states.
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