An international Coalition has been launched to boost Ukraine’s research and innovation ecosystem, which will help to rebuild the country’s knowledge economy amidst the ongoing conflict and recovery efforts
The launch took place at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, which uses a wide range of global actors committed to supporting Ukraine’s scientific community and integrating innovation into the country’s long-term reconstruction strategy.
A joint effort for scientific recovery
The Coalition, named the International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation in Ukraine, brings together some of the most critical institutional stakeholders, including the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, UNESCO, and the European Commission.
These founding partners have agreed to align efforts and resources to assist Ukraine’s researchers, educators, engineers, and entrepreneurs through targeted programs and sustainable development strategies.
During the conference, the Rome Declaration of Intent for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine was presented and formally signed, which was the official launch of the Coalition. The declaration lays the groundwork for a shared agenda focused on rebuilding scientific capacity, modernising infrastructure, and strengthening Ukraine’s role within the international research community.
Goals and inclusive membership
The Coalition is designed to address both the immediate challenges and long-term needs of Ukraine’s research and innovation landscape. Its work will include coordinating international support, promoting investment in education and technology, and fostering opportunities for collaboration between Ukrainian and international institutions.
Membership in the Coalition is open to a wide array of actors, from governments and universities to private companies, development banks, and nonprofit organisations. Interested parties can join by endorsing the Rome Declaration and submitting a request to the Coalition Secretariat.
The open structure hopes to build a diverse and global network committed to Ukraine’s academic and scientific renewal.
Several countries and organisations have already joined the Coalition, including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and UNDP. Their participation shows the international support for integrating science and innovation into Ukraine’s post-war development.
Building on past EU-Ukraine cooperation
This new initiative builds upon existing frameworks, notably Ukraine’s association with Horizon Europe and the Euratom Research and Training Programme. These agreements, which took effect in mid-2022 with retroactive applicability from 2021, allow Ukrainian research entities to engage in EU-funded projects on equal footing with EU member states.
Ukrainian participation in Horizon Europe has already been supported through practical measures, including the creation of a dedicated Horizon Europe Office and an EIT RIS Community Hub in Ukraine. Programs like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the European Innovation Council have also provided targeted support for Ukrainian scientists affected by the war.
With many Ukrainian scientists and innovators continuing their work under ongoing circumstances, the Coalition hopes to provide immediate assistance and also help lay the foundation for a resilient, knowledge-based economy. The focus on research and innovation reflects a broader understanding that scientific capacity is essential not just for economic recovery but for building a future-proof, democratic, and inclusive Ukraine.
As the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference concluded, the Coalition’s formation was one of the event’s key milestones.
