Iryna Lupashko is the GFA project liaison person in Ukraine where she prepares the ground for projects across all areas of GFA’s expertise. She also maintains the network of the company’s highly valued local experts, partners and key local and international stakeholders. Iryna Lupashko is an expert in private sector development (PSD) and will continue to work as a consultant in this field. In this interview, she provides some insights into her motivation and daily tasks.

Iryna, why did you decide to work in your new role in war-affected Ukraine?

The decision to become GFA’s project liaison person in Ukraine in addition to my work as a PSD consultant was both a personal and professional calling. My profound connection to Ukraine, combined with my experience in private sector development, has equipped me with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Ukraine right now.

What is particularly important to you in this work?

What is important to me is the potential to make a tangible difference in the lives of the Ukrainian people. By facilitating international development projects and providing technical assistance, I aim to contribute to the rebuilding and strengthening of local communities, economies, and infrastructures. It's about creating a bridge between the needs of war-affected regions and the global support that can help them recover and flourish.

What exactly are your tasks?

As a GFA’s project liaison and PSD consultant, my primary tasks involve conducting thorough pre-acquisition research to identify potential projects that align with GFA's expertise and the specific needs of different sectors in Ukraine. This includes analyzing market trends, identifying cooperation opportunities, and understanding the complex socio-political dynamics at play. I am also responsible for building and maintaining relationships with national and local partners, experts, and stakeholders in key areas such as private sector development, energy efficiency, good governance, the water sector and other priority sectors. In essence, my work is about being at the forefront of GFA's efforts to contribute to Ukraine's recovery and development. I do my best to ensure that we are not just participants but active contributors to the resilience and prosperity of the country, leveraging our extensive global experience and knowledge.

The key to managing this complexity lies in our ability to leverage local insights and expertise, allowing us to build strong, collaborative relationships with local partners who are essential to our projects' success.

Iryna Lupashko

The project topics that GFA takes on in Ukraine are very diverse. How difficult is it to coordinate and implement all of these projects under the current circumstances?

GFA currently implements a number of projects in Ukraine, covering sectors such as health, cyber security, digitalization, water sector reform and so on. The key to managing this complexity lies in our ability to leverage local insights and expertise, allowing us to build strong, collaborative relationships with local partners who are essential to our projects' success. These partnerships enable us to navigate the logistical, regulatory, and security challenges that come with working in war-affected areas. At the same time, they ensure that we can adapt our strategies in real-time to meet the evolving needs on the ground.

What helpful skills and experiences do you personally bring with you from your previous work?

In Ukraine, I have collaborated closely with stakeholders at all levels, including national, regional, and local governmental bodies, international organizations such as GIZ, EU, EBRD, UNDP, OECD, or USAID, civil society, and the business community to support systemic, smart changes for a more business-friendly environment. My efforts have focused on strengthening this environment through capacity-building measures for the private sector, developing programs, concepts, and standards, aiding in the development of the national legal framework, and promoting access to knowledge and finance.

How do you see yourself – and GFA – positioned to meet the challenges ahead?

GFA has vast experience in implementing projects in war-affected countries like Afghanistan and Iraq as well as helping countries throughout the Western Balkans in their transition to democracy and getting prepared for EU accession. We are dedicated to building upon this experience. GFA's portfolio spans hundreds of projects worldwide, each upheld by our commitment to deliver high-quality results. Our work is well-regarded locally and receives commendations from final beneficiaries, official authorities and donors. This positive perception underscores our efforts not only to meet but exceed expectations, ensuring satisfaction among all our partners.

Thank you, Iryna. All the best for your work and take care of yourself!

The GFA-led project supporting cyber governance in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine has come to a successful conclusion despite multiple challenges like the Corona pandemic and the Russian Invasion in Ukraine.

Cyber-attacks are increasingly common and ranked among the top security threats worldwide. Phishing, ransomware and malware attacks are used by cyber-criminals as much as state actors – be it for extorting money or paralyzing defense systems and critical service infrastructure. Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus were no exception.

In late 2019, the EU launched the Cybersecurity East Project to support cybersecurity governance in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Four years later, the GFA-led project has come to a successful conclusion even though the GFA team and its partners were up against severe challenges. Covid-19 hit right at the start, Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in an armed conflict, and above all, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine fundamentally changed the context in which the project had to operate. Belarus, originally among the partner countries, was excluded in response to the authorities’ brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in 2020.

Yet, the project kept delivering. It has assisted governments in their efforts to align legal and policy frameworks with international standards such as the EU Network and Information Security Directive, and to improve specific operational capabilities regarding swift responses to cyber-attacks. To this end, the project team has used direct consultancy, trainings and certified on-site/online courses to support specialized staff from governmental Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRT), and critical services and infrastructure providers. Related personnel has had a chance to learn and better contribute to their organizations’ cyber resilience. In addition, the GFA team has conducted cyber awareness and cyber hygiene activities, i.e. security-oriented thinking and behavior that private individuals and employees in organizations should internalize in order to contain potential threats from the Internet and prevent exposure to cyber-attacks before they unleash havoc.

Initiating important interventions amidst the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, GFA carried out a diagnosis study to analyze the current status of the Mykolaiv Vodokanal's water supply system and to recommend areas for improvement.

Almost two years ago, Mykolaiv – a major shipbuilding port on the Black Sea between Odesa and Cherson – came under attack by Russian Armed Forces in the war on Ukraine. In November 2023, GFA completed a comprehensive diagnosis study of the city’s entire water supply system to fortify water supply resilience and improve the overall capacity of Mykolaiv Vodokanal, the operator of the system. The examination, funded by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), prepares the ground for ICRC plans to extend its support beyond repairing current damage to a more long-term, holistic and structured approach.

The primary objective of the study was to gain an understanding of the city's water supply infrastructure, its integral components, and the operational processes managed by Mykolaiv Vodokanal. This comprehensive examination of the system’s weaknesses was crucial for laying the groundwork to propose effective measures and project proposals for the short to medium term. The broader goal of ICRC is to optimize the impact of its activities to prepare the water utility for future challenges.

A dedicated GFA team of both international and local experts worked together in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Mykolaiv to gather data, examine available documentation, undertake a comprehensive field visit to collect missing data, and pinpoint the city’s most pressing needs. The study mapped the water supply system’s organizational structure, assessed information systems, and provided a detailed diagnostic report of the existing infrastructure and key facilities within the water supply system.

Building on the findings of the diagnostic study, GFA consultants have recently also developed a detailed overview of donor activities in Mykolaiv city. The project team, together with the personnel from Mykolaiv Vodokanal, have formulated priority and medium-term projects that establish a clear framework and guidelines to enhance Mykolaiv Vodokanal's operations.

In these turbulent times of conflict and uncertainty, the unwavering commitment of the GFA team is a beacon of hope that delivers tangible solutions and will provide Mykolaiv's residents with access to an essential resource – clean and safe water.

Dijana Delic, Project Manager

Amidst the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, GIZ contracted GFA to provide vital support in the nation's energy transition. GFA crafted a national Just Transition Strategy that offers training and capacity building for stakeholders to fortify territorial plans and project implementation.

The Ukrainian government remains committed to making its international contribution to decarbonization and the phasing-out of coal production despite massive infrastructure destruction and energy challenges in the wake of the Russian invasion. At the same time, it aims at safeguarding an economically and socially just transition for the five regions directly affected by the phasing-out of coal production, as their labor market, manufacturing industry and economy are still highly dependent on this sector.

In the context of the Just Transition Ukraine project (2021-2024), a GFA team of experts started providing technical assistance based on European transition experiences in 2022. This assistance includes developing a methodology for just transition strategies, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and supporting interventions. GFA advises key actors, prioritizes transition projects, and formulates recommendations for a national Just Transition Strategy aligned with EU accession goals. The GFA team facilitates dialogues at the national level and proposes guidelines for all Ukrainian coal regions. Additionally, the team supports stakeholder engagement, networking and capacity building, connecting stakeholders with relevant organizations, and facilitating working groups. GFA experts also provide tailored trainings and relevant toolboxes for stakeholders at various levels to create a national pool of experts on structural change processes.

More information about the project on GIZ website.

Contact: Silke Bahn, Project Manager