UNDP in Ukraine

"Every Drop Matters" is an international project aimed at promoting responsible attitude towards water resources by introducing different innovative programmes and initiatives. The project is planned for 5 years and was initiated in 2007 starting from pilot projects in Turkey, Croatia, Romania, Kazakhstan and six other countries bordering the Black Sea. The successful launch of pilot projects inspired the development of new projects in Ukraine and Armenia in 2008.

The objective of this Ukrainian project is to rehabilitate and protect natural springs, and also create recreational areas around them while involving local communities. The organizers of "Every Drop Matters" Project aim to facilitate the development of ecological culture by raising public awareness about environmental preservation and protection.

On 28 January 2009 the Organizers initiated an all-Ukrainian competition with main objective to involve local communities in identifying natural springs which need rehabilitation and protection.

In the framework of the competition, 10 springs will be identified on the territory of Ukraine and UNDP and "Coca-Cola-Ukraine" will sponsor their rehabilitation.

A three-party Memorandum between "Coca-Cola" Company, United Nations Development Programme and Kyiv City Administration was signed during the official opening of the first rehabilitated site.

The first spring which needed community's assistance and met the competition requirements was identified on Kajsarova street in Golosiyivskiy district of Kyiv. The value of the identified source also lies in its historical component - its water is supplied to underground basin of the Lybid River.

The participants of the ceremony were greeted by project organizers: Oles' Dovgyi, Kyiv City Council Secretary, Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecka, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine and Douglas Hill, "Coca-Cola Ukraine" Regional Manager.

Photo report.

Kyiv City Council Secretary noted: "Big results start with small action. "Every Drop Matters" project deserves special attention since it was created on the crossroads of realization of joint ecological responsibility of commercial, non-commercial and community sectors. This project serves as a positive example for other local communities, business and authorities because it brings us to understanding possible ecological risks and our capacity and desire to do everything possible to successfully solve them".

UNDP global experience in local community development and providing for successful partnership between the representatives of private sector and communities successfully works in Ukraine, Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecka believes.

"We have been working in different regions of Ukraine where we have been using the community based approach to local development for many years now. Important component of this approach is that in the framework of its implementation, local communities and authorities improve their capacity in effective municipal development which as a result raises the feeling of self-empowerment", she noted.

Moreover, the experience of communities with whom UNDP works across the country proves that when Ukrainian communities are empowered to take charge of their own destiny, they are able to use their collective strength to help themselves.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Douglas Hill said that "Coca-Cola" Company followed the principle of responsibility sharing "where all members of the society, including individuals, state and community organizations, as well as companies should realize their responsibility for environment".

"Every Drop Matters" is a unique programme between UNDP and "Coca-Cola" Company. The aim of this project in Ukraine is to develop responsible attitude towards water use", he added.

Douglas Hill reminded of the priorities and main fundamentals of ecological strategy of "Coca-Cola" Company which concentrates on such aspects as high water quality and its preservance, hard waste management and air pollution prevention.

"We support this programme with our BonAqua trademark - one of the most famous bottled water brands on Ukrainian market and a good partner in various social responsibility projects", said Douglas Hill.

The youngest representatives of Golosiyivskiy district who are actively involved in solving ecological problems also attended the event. Their participation in community-led ecological initiatives is the best evidence of their utmost care for environment.

For more information please contact Sergiy Grytsenko, UNDP Ukraine Communications Officer, via phone: +38044 254 00 35.