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Canada's Commitment
Results
Country Profile
Canada's Commitment
Canada has been involved in technical cooperation with Ukraine since 1991. During that time Canada has contributed $302 million, primarily supporting the transition to democracy and a market economy, and enhancing nuclear safety. The budget for the Ukraine Program at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) was $18 million in 2005-2006.
Ukraine is one of the 25 development partner countries in which the Canadian International Development Agency will concentrate the major part of its bilateral (country to country) assistance.
In 2001, following consultations with Ukrainian and Canadian stakeholders, CIDA prepared A Path to Reform: Ukraine Programming Framework 2002-2006 to guide Canadian technical cooperation with Ukraine. Under this framework, CIDA has focused its resources on governance issues; more specifically on electoral, administrative and judicial reforms, and strengthening civil society. The Ukraine Program also supports initiatives for private sector development, particularly in the agriculture sector. Environmental sustainability, gender equality, and youth are crosscutting themes integrated into all programming.
 Results
An evaluation of the Ukraine Program by CIDA's Performance and Knowledge Management Branch in 2004 concluded that the consistent focus by the program on governance has resulted in increased capacity of government and the larger society in policy analysis and formulation, and in increased effectiveness of civil society's participation in decision making. CIDA's contributions, together with those of other donors, for electoral monitoring and capacity building have also increased Ukraine's capacity to hold free and fair elections.
The evaluation also noted positive results from CIDA's investments in private sector development in Ukraine, particularly in expanding and improving the services offered by credit unions, and in improving the management capacity of agricultural businesses.
Country Profile
Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 set the country on a path of transition to democracy and a market economy. The country has made progress in its transition, but many challenges remain. The 2005 United Nations Human Development Report ranks Ukraine 78 out of 177 countries on its human development index (HDI), which combines measures of life expectancy, school enrolment, literacy, and income. The report recognizes Ukraine's recent increase in the rate of economic growth, but also notes its difficulties with democratization and its rapidly increasing rate of HIV infection.
The government of President Yushchenko, elected in December 2004, has produced an action program, entitled Towards the People, which sets out an agenda for addressing issues of poverty, unemployment, security, corruption, and European integration. Another key document, the European Union/Ukraine Action Plan, also addresses issues of democratic reform, rule of law, and economic growth.
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