The Danish Government has allocated DKK 875 million to Denmark’s Eastern Neighbourhood Programme 2022-2026. The programme aims to further integrate the eastern neighbouring countries into the European community of values and strengthen their stability, progress and resilience.
Ukraine is the main partner country in the Neighbourhood Programme and will receive approximately DKK 550 million of the total funding of DKK 875 million. Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod is announcing the new support on the same day that Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba visits Copenhagen.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod says:
“Ukraine and our other eastern partner countries are currently fighting an important battle for democracy and freedom. This fight is more important than ever before. It is about security and stability, as well as the fundamental values on which our societies are built. And it is a battle taking place very close to Denmark’s own borders. Therefore, we have a great interest in increasing our support, which includes backing up Ukraine and Georgia’s process of democratic reforms, civil society and fight against corruption. In this way, we can strengthen the resilience of these countries at a time when Russia continues it’s unprecedented build-up of troops inside and outside Ukraine’s borders.”
1. Supporting continued development of democracy and human rights.
This includes support for anti-corruption efforts, young people, civil society, independent media, equal opportunity and inclusion, and human rights.
2. Sustainable growth, green transition and social dialogue.
This includes support for energy efficiency measures, green transition in agriculture, and strengthening labour and employer organisations.
The Neighbour Programme will also further strengthen the New Democracy Fund, an initiative launched by the Minister for Foreign Affairs last year. Support for pro-democracy activists in Belarus and the development of civil society and democracy will be recurring themes throughout the programme. The programme also includes support for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which is monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The programme has an explicit goal of involving Danish actors – authorities, civil society, young people, media and the private sector – in the cooperation. This is a means of building Danish partnerships with the neighbourhood countries that extend beyond specific engagements and projects.
The programme will be financed through Denmark’s development assistance. In the previous phase of the Neighbourhood Programme from 2018 to 2021, Denmark contributed DKK 860 million to the same partnership countries.
