Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Water Management
Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture has signed a 2025–2028 cooperation plan with the Danish Environment Agency to strengthen bilateral collaboration in the water and environmental sectors.
The agreement, titled “Water and Environment”, outlines a roadmap for improving water management, enhancing wastewater treatment, and reducing pollution across Ukraine.
Deputy Minister Iryna Ovcharenko described the plan as a strategic tool for reforming the water sector and harmonizing Ukrainian environmental regulations with EU directives.
“Cooperation with Denmark is essential for transforming Ukraine’s water supply and wastewater sectors, implementing energy-efficient and economically sound models for groundwater and surface water use, and building institutional capacity,”
— Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The four-year program focuses on three strategic directions:
1. Water Resources and Groundwater Management
Denmark will share best practices for sustainable use of surface and underground water and help Ukraine modernize its monitoring systems.
2. Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
Danish specialists will assist in developing effective strategies and introducing innovative treatment technologies to improve water quality and optimize urban and rural water systems.
3. Pollution Control and Monitoring
The cooperation includes technical support for monitoring industrial and agricultural pollutants and establishing effective regulatory mechanisms for pollution prevention.
Institutional Coordination
The work plan emphasizes inter-agency coordination among:
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Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture,
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Ministry of Development,
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National Commission for Economic Cooperation and Development,
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State Water Agency,
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State Geological Survey, and
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Association “Ukrvodokanalekologiya.”
Such coordination aims to balance tariff policy, water resource management, and European standard implementation in drinking water and wastewater systems.
Background: Danish Support for Ukraine’s Recovery
The new water cooperation plan complements Denmark’s broader engagement in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Recently, Copenhagen announced an additional DKK 500 million (€67 million) contribution to the Fund for Ukraine, to guarantee investments by Danish companies in recovery projects — including infrastructure and green transition initiatives.
