Denmark allocates another €44 million to the Mykolaiv region — the money will go to energy and infrastructure reconstruction

Ole Egberg Mikkelsen and Vitaly Kim at the meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the Partnership between the Mykolaiv region and the Kingdom of Denmark, photo: Mykolaiv RMA

Ukraine received the 4th and 5th packages of financial assistance from Denmark in the amount of 64 million euros, 44 of which will be received by the Mykolaiv region.

The decision was made on Tuesday, September 17, during the meeting of the Coordinating Committee of the partnership between the Mykolaiv Oblast and the Kingdom of Denmark.

In general, aid packages provide for the passage of the autumn-winter period, water supply of the region, restoration of critically important social infrastructure and public institutions, attraction of new investments, support for residents of communities and the city, etc.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen personally took part in the meeting. He noted that the region is supported not only by the Danish government, but also by private companies that are considering the possibility of assisting in the reconstruction of the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding, as well as the construction of social housing, providing the region with modular buildings, and the city with multi-apartment buildings.

«Today I am in Mykolaiv, a partner city of Denmark. Together with the military governor of the region Vitalii Kim, we took part in the meeting of the steering committee of the Danish-Mykolaiv partnership. We decided on the next stage in the program regarding the use of 64 million euros, which is Denmark's support for the city and region of Mykolaiv. A big emphasis is placed on energy for obvious reasons. Ukraine and Mykolaiv are facing a hard winter, and we want to make the city as sustainable as possible. The main part of what we are going to spend here will be devoted to energy. I will only add that not only the Danish government supports Mykolaiv, but also the private sector. Just a couple of weeks ago, the first Danish company opened production here. In addition, there is an enterprise for the production of tomato paste in the region, which is supported by the Danish government. And private Danish donors are considering the possibility of rebuilding and reconstructing the Makarov Mykolaiv Shipbuilding University,» said the Danish ambassador.

The head of the Mykolayiv Oblast Vitaliy Kim also added that during the meeting the further strategy of cooperation and introduction of anti-corruption initiatives in the regional administration was discussed.

«We also discussed the results already achieved this year and our plans for the next year. Therefore, I want to thank you for today and thank you for what you are doing in Mykolaiv,» said Vitalii Kim.

Denmark's cooperation with Mykolaiv

Back in March 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking before the Danish parliament, called on the country to take «chiefship» over Mykolaiv after the end of a full-scale war.

And already at the end of August 2022, the mayor of Mykolaiv Oleksandr Sienkevych and the Minister of International Development of Denmark Flemming Møller Mortensen signed a memorandum of cooperation. It envisages joint work on the formation of reconstruction projects and the involvement of investors from different countries in the restoration of Mykolaiv.

In January 2023, a meeting of representatives of Denmark and Ukraine took place in Mykolaiv regarding the planning of further restoration of the city. And in July, the Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark announced a package of aid for the Mykolaiv region for special equipment, medical equipment and repair of shelters.

Last September, after a meeting with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the opening of the office of the Danish Embassy in Ukraine in Mykolaiv.

And at the beginning of November, Denmark announced a new large-scale aid package to Ukraine for 40.2 million euros. At that time, it was reported that the main focus of the aid package was on Mykolaiv and the region.

In January 2024, the Kingdom of Denmark allocated another 21 million dollars to the reconstruction of the Mykolaiv region. 17.2 million dollars for the reconstruction of destroyed educational institutions in the region in May, and 33.5 million euros for the restoration of infrastructure and improving access to water and electricity supply in June.

In general, about 60% of the aid that Denmark sends to Ukraine goes to Mykolaiv and the Mykolaiv region, said the ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Denmark has provided 118 million dollars in aid to the Mykolaiv region. He also stated his vision of the post-war reconstruction of Mykolaiv with friendly conditions for pedestrians and bicycle infrastructure.

While in Mykolaiv, the ambassador explained that after the end of the full-scale war, Denmark would help Mykolaiv to restore and modernize its shipbuilding capacity.

In particular, the country will rebuild the Mykola Arkas Lyceum while preserving its authentic appearance. As of September 2023, Ukrainian architects presented Ole Egberg Mikkelsen with reconstruction options.

The ambassador also supported the idea of creating a Danish quarter or park in Mykolaiv, but today this issue remains at the idea stage.

Denmark also expressed interest in the privatization of the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant.

Also recently, in Mykolaiv, they finished painting a mural in honor of friendship and partnership with the Kingdom of Denmark. It was opened on the anniversary of the founding of Mykolaiv.