OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

Defence conversion and social adaptation of retired military

With respect to downsizing its military, Ukraine has numerous facilities to convert and has thousands of personnel making a transition from military to civilian life. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine financed a model defence conversion project based on one converted military base in Zherebkovo.

In the framework of this project, an assessment of the situation of conversion in Ukraine was carried out. This project provided the basis for further activities of the office in this area. Consequently, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator is funding, in close co-operation with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the National Coordination Centre on Conversion and Social Adaptation, training clinics for soldiers making a transition to civilian status. Soldiers in transition are receiving information concerning their rights with respect to housing, pensions and other opportunities available to them. Psychological support is also provided.

Special attention is paid to the development of retraining opportunities. One of the first steps in this direction is a new programme providing graduate level business management training for retired senior officers. In 2004, 180 165 senior officers participated in this training and were assisted in their search for employment.