Germany contributes additional €1.5 million to Ukraine Solidarity Fund

PARIS - Germany has contributed an additional €1.5 million to the Ukraine Solidarity Fund (USF) of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). Established in 2023 in response to Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine, the USF supports the country's displaced people and its reconstruction efforts.

This second contribution from Germany brings its total contribution to the USF to €3.5 million. In addition to being the largest contributor to the USF, Germany is also the largest member country donor of grant funds to the CEB, with over €23 million provided to date.

Since the Fund's creation, which was championed by Ireland in July 2022, the CEB has raised a total of €6.6 million from other donors such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland, which it has complemented with €10 million from the Bank's own funds. Thanks to the generous support of these donors, the CEB is able to provide greater support to vulnerable populations in Ukraine.

To date, the Bank has already approved €4.0 million in grants from the USF for seven projects, focused on improving housing and healthcare, in line with the Bank's core mission. In October 2025, for example, the Bank approved a €500 000 grant to provide safe and dignified housing for vulnerable populations affected by the war. The grant will help rehabilitate transit sites and collective centres to make them accessible for internally displaced persons with limited mobility. It will also support distribution of shelter kits for emergency housing repairs to low-income households whose homes have been damaged.

Expressing his appreciation, CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli stated: "Through this second important contribution to the USF, the German authorities have once again shown, concretely, their longstanding support for the CEB's social mandate as well as their trust in the Bank's ability to deliver on the ground. These resources will serve to improve the living conditions of Ukraine's vulnerable households and support the reconstruction of the country and its future."

The Ambassador of Germany to the Council of Europe and Representative to the CEB Governing Board, Heike Thiele, added: "Germany is proud of its partnership with the CEB and its unwavering support of Ukraine through invaluable social projects. Working with the Bank ensures that German funds reach fast those who are most in need."

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank with an exclusively social mandate from its 43 member countries. The CEB finances investment and provides technical assistance in social sectors such as education, health and affordable housing, while focusing on the needs of vulnerable people, as well as on the social dimensions of climate change and the environment. Borrowers include governments, local and regional authorities, public and private banks, non-profit organisations and others. The CEB, which has a triple-A credit rating, funds itself through international capital markets. In addition, the CEB receives funds from donors to complement its activities.