USAID supplies trash bins and road barricades to enhance facilities at 13 border crossing points

Modernization of the BCPs
28 May 2024

USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), continues to upgrade Ukraine’s western border crossing points (BCPs). In April and May, ERA delivered a total of 36 waste sorting trash bins, 28 large garbage containers, and 208 water-filled road barricades to Rava-Ruska–Hrebenne (Poland), Chop–Zahony, Vylok–Tiszabecsi, Kosyno–Barabash, and Dzvinkove–Lonia (all BCPs on the border with Hungary), Malyi Berezniy–U’bla (Slovakia), Solotvyno–Sighetu (Romania), and Sokyriany–Ocnita, Vashkivtsi–Hrimenkeuts, Kelmentsi–Larga, Starokozache–Tudora, Rososhany–Brichen, and Mamalyga–Kryva (all BCPs on the border with Moldova). 

The bins are already in use and improving cleanliness at the BCPs, and will help foster environmental responsibility and in alignment with established practices in Europe. The road barriers are enhancing safety for motorists, pedestrians, and BCP officials. This support is part of broader efforts of USAID ERA to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and logistics capacity for BCPs in support of the export of grain and other essential agro-commodities, which is crucial for Ukraine’s economic recovery. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the supports the Government of Ukraine, including the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (Ministry for Restoration), the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (Agency for Restoration), the State Customs Service, and Ukrainian Railways (UZ), to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs).   

USAID ERA shares what is expected from grantees’ applications and how they will be evaluated

Grants
24 May 2024

On May 24, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) held the second information session for potential applicants under the Annual Program Statement “Building the Future of Ukrainian Logistics and Export”, attended by more than 120 participants. 

Last year, USAID ERA joined the USAID AGRI-Ukraine Initiative to strengthen grain exports and improve global food security. As part of the initiative, USAID ERA supports agricultural companies, state authorities, phytosanitary laboratories, and it recently announced the Annual Program Request, a grant competition. The goal is to strengthen the logistics and export potential of the Ukrainian agricultural sector. 

Kirsten Pfeiffer, USAID ERA`s Deputy Chief of Party, spoke about the grant competition, happening March-August 31, including the goals and requirements. 

“Within the framework of this grant competition, we highlight two goals of applications that we are ready to support. The first goal is to improve knowledge and involve international experience in grain transportation, improve these processes by Ukrainian companies, strengthen market ties with companies in Europe, and improve marketing. Co-financing of logistics equipment for the agricultural sector, for which there is a great demand – USAID ERA helps with the purchase of the necessary equipment. We are looking for manufacturers of such equipment in Ukraine to help them enter world markets. We are also ready to purchase such equipment for agribusiness, but only if it is ready to show high indicators of grain export in metric tons. We also support training of personnel or upgrading of skills of private and public companies in the field of logistics and agriculture. We are ready to develop and implement programs for training and involving women in various processes, taking into account the new law on mobilization and the shortage of male labor in the labor market. Our next goal is the strategic development of border crossing points (BCPs), improvement or acceleration of processes at them, for this we are modernizing 42 BCPs, 9 of them are priority. Cooperation with Moldova and the EU is strategically important,” said Kirsten Pfeiffer. 

USAID ERA`s Grants Director, Valeriya Sorokina, notes the most important criteria by which USAID ERA evaluates applications is the potential of the applicant, and their compliance with the goals of the competition.  

Other factors include things like experience which is vital; no grant experience is necessary but rather USAID ERA is looking for experience in a certain field. Stability is key, despite the fact that Ukraine is going through difficult times. USAID ERA will assess the financial stability of the applicant and the anticipated contribution that the proposed activity can bring to the market as a whole. The last thing to keep in mind is inclusion, by which USAID ERA means employing and empowering women, young people, and people with disabilities. Overall, the aim is to develop the labor market, which will be beneficial to all market players and will contribute to economic growth. 

Other things to keep in mind: 

  • Applications are submitted in Ukrainian or English and applicants will be notified of an outcome by mail.  
  • The grant does not cover construction and building materials.  
  • The application can be up to 500,000 USD.  
  • The deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2024, no exceptions.  
  • The grant duration is up to one year. 
  • A company or organization can submit multiple applications.  
  • The grantee must include co-investment contributions in monetary and non-monetary form (this can also be money from partners, customers, but not from sources funded by the US government). 
  • USAID ERA will work with selected applicants and provide detailed consultations to finalize the application. 

During USAID ERA’s last informational session, participants asked questions such as whether the educational platforms can apply, how to get a grant for a grain transporter in Ukraine, whether it is possible to use the grant to increase the number of jobs and pay wages to new employees, if a renovated premises can count as a company’s co-investment contribution, can a company apply for wagons if its own contribution is up to 15%, is it necessary to indicate value added tax (VAT) in the application budget, or finally, can an organization from the USA apply. USAID ERA will prepare and send answers to all questions not addressed during the session. 

Applications for the competition should be sent to Grants_ERA@dai.com 

Further details of the grant competition are here.

HR & Administrative Assistant

24 May 2024

Kyiv 

ERA BACKGROUND 

Ukraine’s efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia’s full-scale war ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery. Through partnerships with the government and robust private sector engagement, ERA has supported economic growth and resilience in Ukraine since 2018. Following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent occupation of the part of Ukraine, ERA shifted from its focus on Eastern Ukraine to cover development priorities across the country that address Ukraine’s urgent needs in export logistics and infrastructural improvements.

AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently-needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.

INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS

ERA also directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s border crossing points (BCPs). Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling  Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.

About the job

The HR & Administrative Assistant is a key member of the HR team and plays a pivotal role in assuring adherence to HR policies and regulations and updating reporting systems HR-related documents. The HR & Administrative Assistant assures adherence to HR policies, and regulations and updating reporting systems, including uploading HR-related documents. The HR & Administrative Assistant is based in Kyiv and reports to the HR Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

HR Administrative Support

  • Assist the Human Resource Manager with administrative tasks, including maintenance of paper personnel filing system, prepare Employment confirmation letters upon employees’ requests.
  • Make monthly payment requests the corporate employee support programs of trauma counseling and legal assistance, ensure the ordered services are accounted and paid.
  • Coordinate with Safety Manager on keeping records on the personnel whereabouts on a daily basis according to the information of the internal messenger groups for three offices in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and the group working abroad.
  • Maintain records of employees’ conscripts in compliance with the new Law on Mobilization.  Sending out mail to the Military Conscription Centers about reservation status of ERA employees.
  • Coordinate mail delivery to/from Kyiv offices by courier services providers documents deliveries to GDIP, employees, vendors, etc.
  • Assist in ensuring smooth logistics and event organization upon request.
  • Translate documents, letters, and other correspondence with stakeholders upon request.
  • Any other activities assigned by HR Director, HR officers, COP, or DCOP.

Staff Development support

  • Keep records of performance appraisal process on an annual basis during the entire cycle.
  • Monitor, Coordinate and arrange annual obligatory training, including, but not limited to: Ethics and Compliance, Safety training, Digital Safety, etc.
  • Coordinate payments for approved trainings for personnel.
  • Responsible for Performance Appraisal folders in SharePoint.
  • Coordinate a Performance Appraisal process for new hires after the probation period.

About you

  • BA/MA degree in Economics, Finance, Operations, Sociology, or a related field.
  • At least 1 years of work experience in Human Resources and /or administrative work.
  • At least 1 years of experience working on USAID or other donor-funded projects is a plus.
  • Full proficiency in Microsoft applications, ERP systems, and proven spreadsheet experience.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to work as part of a team.
  • Professional level of English and Ukrainian is required.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits Package:

  • 28 calendar days of annual leave
  • 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
  • Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
  • Life Insurance for ERA staff
  • Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
  • Military reservation is possible and granted if you are on a relevant military register

Start date: June 2024

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com

Closing date for applications: June 11, 2024.

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.

Opening of inclusive educational space at Lviv Polytechnic National University

23 May 2024

With support from USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity, Lviv Polytechnic National University opened the inclusive educational space, “No Limits,” on May 16, 2024. The new space hosts an interactive educational system, including a lingaphone class for 15 students with visual impairments, and equipment such as a projector, interactive board, laptop with software, monitor, headset, analog panel and switch unit, printer, and two video magnifiers. This equipment will create more educational opportunities for students with visual or hearing impairments, or musculoskeletal disorders. The space also offers opportunities for development and learning, such as lectures, master classes, and educational and entertaining activities. 

“Today’s event is the first step toward providing greater access to higher education and development of an inclusive university culture,” said Nazar Podolchak, Head of the Tech StartUp School at Lviv Polytechnic. “Currently, our team is working with students and staff to improve the working conditions of the space and engage mentors to conduct trainings that will contribute to comprehensive development ofcourses, ultimately benefitting students.“   

Since 2017, Lviv Polytechnic has been making efforts to improve the availability of educational services for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. There are currently more than 300 students with special educational needs enrolled in various specialties and academic courses at the university.  

 

After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, No Limits started cooperating with the Veteran Development Center of the University. As of now, 77 combat veterans are studying at Lviv Polytechnic.  

“We have been dreaming about a space like this in Luhansk Oblast since 2009,” explained Mykola Naduchichnyi, Head of the Luhansk Association for Organizations of People with Disabilities. “I was impressed when I found out our dream came true here in Lviv. We will be promoting all these wonderful opportunities within our community, attend events, and continue development and cooperation with the university.”  

The space is located at the address: Lviv city, 2/4, Karpinskoho Street, 1st training corps, auditorium 112. 

You can find more information about No Limits’ new space on their website: https://lpnu.ua/nolimits 

USAID Enhances Almeida Group’s Grain Export Capacity 

AGRI-Ukraine Export Logistics Support
20 May 2024

USAID, through its Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), delivered 25 grain wagons to the Almeida Group, a rail freight and truck logistics provider in Ukraine, to increase its grain export capacity.

Almeida Group will use the wagons to transport grains to the company’s terminals on Ukraine’s western border, in Zakarpattia Lviv and Chernivtsi Oblasts, where it transships grains and oilseeds from wide gauge wheelsets (1535 mm) with European gauge wheelsets (1420 mm), as well as to the ports in Odesa and Izmail (Odesa Oblast).

The full-scale war has fundamentally changed the company’s operations. Until February 2022, Almeida Group had two elevators in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and was one of the largest shippers in the region. After Russia’s invasion in 2022, the company lost all its production facilities, significantly impacting its business. However, Almeida Group managed to relocate almost the entire team from the temporarily occupied territories and, in May 2022, opened a new transshipment terminal in Chernivtsi Oblast. Later, it also opened two more terminals in Lviv and Zakarpattia Oblasts. Currently, Almeida Group is building a multimodal terminal in Chernivtsi Oblast, which will increase both the quantity and variety of export cargo.

Background: Assistance to agricultural producers and infrastructure companies is part of the Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI) – Ukraine, implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It aims to help Ukraine increase its capacity to produce, store, transport, and export grain.

USAID ERA helps internally displaced women in Ukraine rebuild their lives

20 May 2024

Through a grant from the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA), the non-governmental organization (NGO) “Women’s Perspective Center” (WPC) provided more than 670 hours of psychological counseling sessions to 300 internally displaced women in Lviv to support their mental health, as well as 240 hours of social support and study courses. WPC also gave 12 classes on woman’s health and first aid for women living in their shelters, held 14 training sessions for more than 190 unemployed women, and organized a ‘business camp’ for 45 women focused on job searching and startup skills. WPC implemented the grant from February 2023 to March 2024, which aimed to provide psychosocial rehabilitation and strengthen the economic independence of women affected by Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

One of the most significant challenges displaced women face is economic vulnerability coupled with psychological stress. Starting over in a new location, they often lack the social and professional networks that would normally help them find a job or start a business. In addition, they often have to depend on services and shelters for temporary housing and food. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olha Shved lived in Chernihiv, where she had her own music band, “Voice of the Soul.” She sang, wrote songs, and managed the band. In March 2022, she was forced to move to Lviv with her mother and daughter.  

“Through WPC’s classes, I understood that life goes on, and you can keep moving forward,” Olha said. “I was so stressed and looking for my place in the world, but now I am happy to have an occupation that truly inspires me. I am also very glad to be a part of women’s community that supports me.” 

“After participating in the business camp, I applied for and received a grant that allowed me to buy equipment for musical activities like hosting concerts and recording songs. I plan to develop my own business in the future,” she said.   

Olha currently works as a leading specialist in the Department of Culture, Nationalities, and Religions of the Lviv Regional State Administration. 

Entrepreneur Oksana Buhera was forced to move from Kharkiv to Lviv with her two children. She also participated in the business camp, which motivated her to optimize her business selling traditional Ukrainian clothes. Through the camp, Oksana learned how to identify target audiences, attract clients, and maintain an emergency fund to pay for promotional campaigns, taxes, and business development.    

“After participation in the business camp, I started paying taxes…my turnover tripled within a month,” Oksana said. “I see the results – our family’s financial situation has improved, we live off this income, rent an apartment, and my children attend art clubs.”  

“My mindset has changed, and I’ve gained more experience and contacts. I also started taking more risks, which is giving good results. Next, I plan create my own website, hire an assistant, and apply for a grant so we can sew the clothes ourselves…and better satisfy customer requests. I support the promotion of domestic producers so that people will buy clothing made by Ukrainian manufacturers,” she said