The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine officially started its activities on 6 October 2006.

Its status is based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment in Ukraine Council of Europe Office and its legal status.

The Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (hereinafter – the Office) facilitates the implementation of the Council of Europe's mission in the country on human rights protection, democracy support and the rule of law, and coordinates and implements cooperation projects and programs.

Nowadays, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine is the largest CoE office in the field with more than 50 professionals.

The Office plays a leading, coordinating role in implementing measures to implement the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine, programs, and projects aimed at supporting Ukraine in fulfilling its statutory and specific obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe.

Actions are developed and implemented in areas of the Council of Europe expertise and added value.

One of the key tasks of the Office is to strengthen the role of the Council of Europe in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine.

Following the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and the subsequent decision of the Committee of Ministers to exclude the Russian Federation from the Organisation, the Council of Europe immediately adjusted its support to Ukraine in response to the national partners’ requests and needs. The Priority Adjustments to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2018-2022 (hereinafter – the Priority Adjustments) were adopted by the Committee of Ministers in Turin on 20 May and were then implemented throughout 2022, thus contributing to the national reconstruction efforts, guided by the Government of Ukraine’s National Recovery and Development Plan, aimed at rebuilding a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. The Council of Europe remains fully committed to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 (hereinafter – the Action Plan) has been prepared in close consultation with the Ukrainian authorities, as a response to the determination and resolve of Ukraine’s authorities and people to engage in rebuilding the country. The proposed measures, based on Council of Europe standards, are aimed at accompanying the reconstruction process and economic recovery in Ukraine with support to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian public institutions, to enhance democratic governance and the rule of law and to protect citizens’ fundamental rights.

The document builds on the progress achieved by Ukraine in meeting Council of Europe standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, notably within the previous Action Plan 2018-2022 and its Priority Adjustments and is aimed to continue supporting the country’s efforts to honour its obligations as a Council of Europe member State. The Action Plan priorities take into account decisions, resolutions, recommendations, report conclusions and opinions issued by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CM), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (the Congress), the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (the Commissioner), the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and other advisory and monitoring bodies of the Organisation.

The Action Plan is also aimed to support Ukraine’s European perspective reform agenda, following the decision by the European Council on 23 June 2022 to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine, and the commitment made at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano (Switzerland), on 4-5 July 2022, to link

Ukraine’s European perspective and the recovery process. The Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 will address immediate and medium-term needs of the country in areas where the Council of Europe has expertise.

While some interventions planned in the document are in continuity with the previous co-operation in the framework of the Priority Adjustments, some new areas have been added in agreement with Ukrainian authorities focusing on a longer-term perspective of implementation once the situation on the ground allows.

The proposed actions were developed to delivering also on the steps outlined in the European Commission's opinion on Ukraine's membership application.

The Action Plan is a result of a structured dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities and other relevant actors with a view to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience, recovery and reconstruction efforts in the areas of human rights, rule of law and democracy in line also with the Guiding Principles for Ukraine’s Recovery Process (“Lugano Principles”).

This also includes a parliamentary dimension where appropriate aimed at increasing the impact of actions of the Parliament and ensuring ownership by the members of Verkhovna Rada.

The Action Plan provides a four-year framework for co-operation while offering the flexibility required to respond to evolving needs in the current volatile context and high-risk environment. As a living document, it will be updated as needed in line with developments in the country to adapt priorities to emerging needs. Risks and threats mitigation strategies and management mechanisms will be evaluated and discussed with the Ukrainian authorities.

The overall budget for the four-year co-operation framework is estimated at €50 million.