USAID ERA donates large batch of IT equipment to relocated universities

Increasing Opportunities
25 March 2024

In 2023, the USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) provided support to partner universities. Five universities – Donetsk National Technical University (DonNTU), Mariupol State University (MSU), Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University (SNU), Priazovskyi State Technical University (PSTU), and Dmytro Motornyi Tavria State Agrotechnological University (TSATU) – received IT equipment to resume their educational processes.

USAID ERA provided its partners with IT and office equipment to ensure a stable Internet connection and to conduct distance-learning classes. The equipment included 64 routers, 31 printers, 5 servers, and 8 computers for IT administration, as well as 6 uninterruptible power supplies, 12 multimedia projectors, 10 tablet PCs, 150 headphones, 261 laptops, 231 computer mice, 5 Starlink kits with a one-year subscription, computer software, and other items necessary to power and operate the equipment (such as cables, plugs, and outlets).

In March and April 2022, after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, these universities were forced to move from eastern and southern Ukraine to safer regions. Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University and Mariupol State University moved to Kyiv, DonNTU found shelter in Lutsk, while PSTU and TSATU settled in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, respectively. USAID ERA stayed in constant contact with its partners and began delivering the equipment in November 2022. To date, all the equipment has been delivered and is being actively used by 1,151 staff and faculty members of the higher education institutions to provide education to 14,166 students, mostly online.

This equipment, along with uninterruptible power supplies, made it possible to quickly set up online learning and maintain all necessary digital services. Students, postgraduates, faculty, and administrative staff received personal devices (laptops and tablets) that helped them to stay connected even during power outages. The support provided also made it possible to quickly restore administrative processes, methodological frameworks, and teaching materials, establish the online learning process, and ensure the operation of the educational institutions’ websites to promptly inform students and teachers of various activities.

USAID ERA supplies ICT equipment to rail border crossing points in Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, and Chernivtsi Oblasts 

Modernization of the BCPs
15 March 2024

USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) has provided 103 pieces of ICT equipment to four rail border crossing points (BCPs) located in Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, and Chernivtsi Oblasts, operated by JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ). The ICT equipment and supplies, which have all since been put into operation, include printers, laptops, monobloc computers, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). 

They will increase the BCPs’ capacity for processing cargo movement, and will greatly enhance the day-to-day operations of the BCP and the positive experience of its users. To ensure cargo movement continues during power shutdowns, ERA also provided these BCPs with 50kw generators. This assistance is aimed at increasing the efficiency and accessibility of logistics routes for the export of Ukrainian goods. Improving logistics processes not only optimizes the rail’s operations, but also facilitates more efficient exports of Ukrainian goods, including grain, which is vital for boosting Ukraine’s economy and global food security. 

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and State Customs Services, to upgrade border crossing points (BCPs) to improve grain trade and export volumes.  

USAID ERA renovates a kindergarten in Zakarpattia

13 March 2024

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (USAID ERA) is currently repairing the kindergarten in Stavne village in Zakarpattia Oblast for UAH 21 million. After the renovation is over, 30 pre–school children will attend the kindergarten and an additional 60 primary school students will also relocate to the renovated building.  

Last year, Stavne Village Council sent a renovation request for their kindergarten to USAID ERA because they did not have the budget to carry out repairs. This kindergarten was built in 1984 and was outdated. With USAID ERA funding, CDM Engineering Ukraine LLC developed the design documentation, and the repair work is carried out by Ukrbudinzhiniring LLC. 

Currently, the Ukrbudinzhiniring team is repairing the roof. Soon, workers will install ribbed seam roofing, replace over 55 windows and 56 doors, plaster and paint the walls, cover the floor with new tiles and laminate. They also will build new playground in the yard for the children. Previously, the electricity supply network was partly renovated, and old windows were removed. 

“The subcontractor plans to finish the installation of the electricity supply network soon. The workers have already dismantled the old roofing and now they are laying down the new one. Afterwards, they will be able to start internal works, namely plastering the walls and installing new tiles and laminate on the floor. Our goal is to control the renovation process as it must comply with all construction regulations”, says Valeriy Tkach, Engineer of Technical Supervision Department of CDM Engineering Company, a partner of USAID ERA.  

“Since the beginning of the full–scale invasion, internally displaced persons have been seeking refuge in our community. Here, in the kindergarten building, we accommodated them temporarily. Later, they leave and rent apartments elsewhere. Since then, the building was left empty and in need of renovation. Now the renovation is in progress, and I hope it will be finished by the summer of 2024”, says Ivan Mandryk, Head of Stavne Village Council.  

Presently, the Stavne Community comprises of 12 neighboring villages with a combined population of 7,000.  

USAID ERA supported pavement repair and other improvements begin at priority road border crossing points 

Modernization of the BCPs
11 March 2024

Subcontractors for USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) have begun pavement repair and miscellaneous improvement work at a key road border crossing point (BCP) in Volyn Oblast on Ukraine’s border with Poland. Later in March, work will also begin at two BCPs in Zakarpattia Oblast and one BCP in Chernivtsi Oblast on Ukraine’s borders with Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. The work involves repairing damaged pavements, stormwater slotted drains, and canopy cover over the checkpoints, and painting the barriers and metal fence, placement of traffic lane lines and markings, and replacing security fences. 

Earlier this year, the USAID ERA partially replaced old modular buildings at four priority BCPs, some of which will be used as offices for employees of the State Customs and Border Guard Services of Ukraine. Road signs have been replaced, water barricades and waste sorting bins and commercial scales have been installed at some of the BCPs to speed up customs procedures. 

The USAID ERA support is aimed at improving the infrastructure of the BCPs to ensure their stable and efficient operations. Improved border conditions and functionality will positively impact the experience at the BCPs, including improving the border crossing experience of drivers and companies engaged in international trade.

Background: Between 2023-2026, USAID, through the Economic Resilience Activity (ERA), is dedicating $115 million to support the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), Ukrainian Railways (UZ), and State Customs Services, to upgrade border crossing points (BCPs) to improve grain trade and export volumes. 

On the eve of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the contributions women make to Ukraine’s economic development

AGRI-Ukraine Export Logistics Support
07 March 2024
“Like-minded People Inspire Me” 

Olha Vakarchuk is the Financial Director of a group of agricultural companies in the central part of Ukraine. Mrs. Vakarchuk is proud of her decision, nearly 20 years ago, to build her career in the agricultural field. She is a financier and economist by trade, schooled at the Vadym Hetman National University of Economics, and rose from Financial Controller to Director, serving at various companies. 

Shortly before the start of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine, she received an offer to move from her Kyiv office to work in a village in Cherkasy Oblast. She made the brave decision and relocated to a small cozy village. 

“Managing a company from the office is one thing, but being in a village where you see farmers sowing wheat, grinding flour, or constructing an elevator outside your window is a whole new experience. My worldview has expanded”, shares Mrs. Vakarchuk, “Here, everything is in the palm of your hand, you feel and see everything deeply.” 

Ms. Vakarchuk explains how agriculture is not only about growing grains, but also about grain processing and logistics; it is a much broader field where many can attain professional fulfillment. In addition to financial reporting, Olha is responsible for communicating with Ukrainian and foreign partners, implementing new projects, and attracting assistance. 

“It doesn’t matter the gender of those around you. What is important is if they perform their work well, strive for development, and remain humane. When there are like-minded people with whom you look in the same direction, it is inspirational. This is precisely what motivates me to continue working in agriculture. Now, during the war, we are grateful to our partners for their support. Last year, our company received a grain transportation trailer and two generators from USAID Economic Resilience Activity. This affords us stability and enables us to continue to grow grain during the war.” 

​“The Ability to Influence Strategic Decisions Keep Me Going”  

Olena Krysenko has been working at IMK agricultural holding since their inception. Olena grew from a Sales Manager to a Commercial Director within the last 17 years. Currently, she is responsible for developing and implementing sales and procurement strategies, negotiating with key customers, and analyzing market trends.  

Ms. Krysenko explains how during wartime the two main challenges for agricultural businesses are changes in the price and demand for grain, which affects the company’s profitability, and the difficult access to sales markets. These factors force business entities to look for new logistics solutions and export routes. It’s these clever innovations, responding to challenges, that motivate me. 

“What I love most about my job is the opportunity to influence the company’s strategic decisions” says Olena. “In this difficult time for all of us, I am inspired by innovation and the introduction of new technologies in the agricultural sector, and by the fact that I contribute to the development of agricultural production, as well as the potential for expanding sales markets and developing new commercial activities” she continued.  

Funding Opportunity “Building the Future of Ukraine Logistics and Export”

01 March 2024

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) announces Funding Opportunity “Building the Future of Ukraine Logistics and Export”. 

The purpose of this Annual Program Statement (APS) is to solicit applications for grants funding to support two critical objectives of Ukraine’s economic recovery: 1) agricultural export and logistics capacity, with a focus on grain trade; and 2) improving Ukraine’s export infrastructure, technology and processes along its western borders.  

USAID ERA is seeking partners among

  • agri-logistics firms and equipment manufacturers,
  • market analytic agencies,
  • business event organizers,
  • NGOs,
  • consulting firms,
  • training service providers,
  • government entities,
  • research and educational institutions.

  This partnership should lead to:  

  1. improved agri-logistics companies` knowledge of international best practices on grain trade, sales, and marketing, develop and improved export sales to new markets (e.g., EU, North Africa); 
  2. co-funding high-demand agri-logistics equipment; 
  3. upskilled and improved agri-logistics staff competency on use of equipment for grain export; 
  4. improved the process in BCPs, which leads to improving export capacity; 
  5. improved cross-border collaboration between Ukrainian customs and bordering customs officers in EU and Moldova. 

Detailed information and terms of application can be found by following the link: https://era-ukraine.org.ua/en/grants-en/

We also invite you to participate in one of the online conferences where potential applicants may ask questions and obtain detailed information about the application process. 

USAID ERA staff will hold two online conferences:

  • March 13, 2024, at 15 pm. To participate, please register using this link. 
  • May 24, 2024, at 11 am. To participate, please register using this link. 

All registered participants will receive a link to the event via the email provided during registration.