Marshall Plan Governance: A forum on the eve of the Ukraine Recovery Conference
Since the spring of 2022, as a living memorial to the original Marshall Plan, the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) has been framing the need and opportunity for a Marshall Plan for Ukraine. In addition to impactful research and many other activities, GMF’s work has included hosting side events the day before or after the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), often with a timely theme.
This year, GMF will partner with Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) to host a side event dedicated to Ukraine’s institutional capacity to ensure transparent, efficient, and accountable governance of recovery efforts. Leading Ukrainian reformers, international partners, and donors will discuss the pressing challenge of transforming Ukraine’s fragmented, reactive recovery system into a sustainable, institutionally grounded governance architecture capable of managing long-term reconstruction.
This event, which will also be livestreamed, will take place on the morning of Wednesday, July 9, the day before the official URC on July 10–11.
Agenda and Speakers
10:00am: Opening Remarks
- Josh Rudolph, Managing Director and Senior Fellow, GMF
- Katarína Mathernová: EU Ambassador to Ukraine
- Nathalie Tocci, Director, IAI
- Jonathan Taylor, Associate General Counsel, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
10:25am Launching GMF’s Marshall Plan Initiative
GMF will announce the launch of its Kyiv-based Marshall Plan Initiative (MPI)
- Josh Rudolph, Managing Director and Senior Fellow, GMF
- Serhii Sukhomlyn, Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine
10:30am Governance of Ukraine's Reform Institutions
Exploring the Ukrainian recovery governance reform issues that GMF’s MPI will work on, this panel will discuss strengthening national capacity, coordinating international assistance around a unified strategy, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the long term.
- Moderator: Olena Prokopenko, Senior Fellow, GMF
- Serhii Sukhomlyn, Head of the State Agency for Restoration of Ukraine
- Gabriel Blanc, Team Leader, Reconstruction of Ukraine, DG ENEST
- Yue Man Lee, Lead Economist and Program Leader for Prosperity for Eastern Europe, World Bank
- Valeriia Ivanova, Visiting Senior Fellow, GMF
11:15am Break
11:30am: Introduction to Panel 2: Rebuilding Together: Local Leadership for a Sustainable Recovery and Economic Renewal
GMF Senior Fellow Hannah Abdullah will provide a brief introduction to the Ukraine Cities Partnership, followed by remarks from Volodymyr Moskalenko, Mayor of Korosten, who will share insights into his city’s rebuilding efforts and the challenges and opportunities the community is facing.
- Hannah Abdullah, Senior Fellow, GMF Cities
- Volodymyr Moskalenko, Mayor, City of Korosten
11:37am Panel 2: Rebuilding Together: Local Leadership for a Sustainable Recovery and Economic Renewal
Drawing on insights from GMF’s Ukraine Cities Partnership for Sustainable Local Recovery (UCP), the panel will highlight practical, locally driven recovery approaches and underscore the vital importance of local government capacity and innovation for the country’s broader governance reforms. The discussion will focus on strategies for strengthening institutional capacity at the municipal level and for building robust public-private partnerships that can accelerate reconstruction and stimulate local economic growth.
- Moderator: Hannah Abdullah, Senior Fellow, GMF Cities
- Justin Morey, Government Partnerships Lead, Building Design Partnership (BDP)
- Vladyslav Rashkovan, Alternate Executive Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Iryna Stavchuk, Interim Director for the Central & Eastern Europe and Ukraine Programs, European Climate Foundation
12:22pm Break
12:37pm: Introducing Panel 3: Transatlantic Foundation - Multi-stakeholder engagement in the Recovery of Ukraine
Clara Volintiru, Regional Director of the Black Sea Trust at GMF will provide keynote remarks introducing the third panel, providing insights on key Ukrainian stakeholders to help guide strategic planning and reconstruction processes into the future.
- Clara Volintiru, Regional Director-Black Sea Trust, GMF
12:42pm Panel 3: Transatlantic Foundation - Multi-stakeholder engagement in the Recovery of Ukraine
As Ukraine advances its reconstruction and recovery efforts amidst ongoing conflict and evolving geopolitical dynamics, the question of how to design and implement an inclusive, strategic, and transparent planning process becomes critical. This panel will address the mechanisms through which multiple stakeholders in Ukraine can be part of the strategic planning process and ensure the representation of interests at all levels.
- Moderator: Nona Mikhelidze, Senior Fellow, IAI
- Stefanie Schiffer, Europe Exchange
- Prof. Laszlo Bruszt, Director of the CEU Democracy Institute, Central European University
- Nataliia Vyniarchuk, Senior Project Manager at the Reforms Delivery Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
1:37pm Closing Remarks
- Ambassador Michele Valensise, President, IAI
- Valeriia Ivanova, Visiting Senior Fellow, GMF
2:37pm Adjourn
Partners and Funders
We thank the following organizations for their commitment.
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