JobConnect: a new program to support employment and labor market reforms in Ukraine

On December 15, 2025, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) signed a Declaration of Intent to Support Labor Market Reforms within the New JobConnect Program. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the socio-economic development of Ukraine and supporting its European integration aspirations.

The document captures the parties’ shared vision of labor market reform in close connection with social policy. It provides for increasing the institutional capacity of state bodies, effective use of public resources, and openness to attracting additional international partners. This approach allows combining the efforts of the state and international organizations to implement modern solutions in the field of employment.

Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksiy Sobolev emphasized that JobConnect is focused on practical results for all labor market participants. The program will provide citizens with modern tools for finding a job and help businesses more effectively select qualified employees.

The program provides for the development of modern employment services, the introduction of new approaches to job selection and training, as well as support for people returning to the labor market. Particular attention is paid to increasing the competitiveness of workers through training and professional development, which will contribute to the country's stable economic growth.

The signing of the Declaration is part of a broader agenda for labor market reform and the development of cooperation with international partners. Thanks to this initiative, Ukraine gets the opportunity to introduce effective employment management tools and modernize the system of support for employees and employers.

JobConnect is a newly created project funded by the German government and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. From 2026, Germany will allocate 10 million euros for the implementation of the program. The main goal of the project is to support labor market reforms, strengthen institutional capacity, and increase the efficiency of the use of public resources in the context of Ukraine's European integration.