The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and representatives of large businesses signed the Human Capital Resilience (HCR) Charter at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 on 11 July in Rome.
On the side of business, Metinvest Group, PrivatBank, DTEK, and Naftogaz of Ukraine joined the HCR Charter. More than 100 Ukrainian companies are also ready to sign the document.
The HCR Charter is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, developed in partnership with the NBU and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), and international consulting company Korn Ferry.
"The Human Capital Resilience Charter is a key step toward building a strong and inclusive labor market in Ukraine. By focusing on human capital, we aim to create a sustainable economic future that will benefit all Ukrainians," said Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy.
"Human capital is the foundation and the main driving force for the economic recovery and further development of our country, and the financial sector should play a key role in supporting those who need it most. In particular, people who are on the frontline today, people who are near the frontline, as well as our veterans who are returning to active economic life after their service. That is why the NBU has joined the Charter and, together with the financial sector, is consistently working to expand inclusive access to financial services and pave the way for the full socioeconomic reintegration of veterans," underlined NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyy.
Due to the war, Ukraine’s economic output decreased by almost a third, and unemployment reached 35% in 2023. Today, the unemployment rate has dropped to 12%, but the reintegration of 500,000 veterans, the return of millions of refugees, and the employment of more than 6 million internally displaced persons are still ahead. The HCR Charter is designed to help businesses meet these challenges and turn human capital into a driving force for recovery.
"The EBRD is committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery through initiatives such as the HCR Charter, which emphasizes the importance of workforce resilience and inclusive growth," said EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso.
The document calls on employers in Ukraine to participate in economic recovery by supporting employees, including veterans and displaced workers. It was developed during the war to help businesses shape new standards of HR management: responsible, inclusive, and people-oriented.
The purpose of the HCR Charter is to provide businesses with practical tools for preserving and developing human capital: from supporting veterans to developing skills, inclusion, and transparency. The signatories undertake to integrate the principles of the HCR Charter into their HR strategies, adapt the workflow to the needs of employees, harmonize internal policies, and share experience. The state, for its part, supports these changes, in particular in the area of human resources development and modernization of the work environment.
The document contains nine key principles, including: responsible leadership, flexibility, support for veterans, continuous learning, and partnership with the state. The HRC Charter is aligned with international standards and is part of the National Security Strategy of Ukraine.
The Charter focuses on the following five main areas: employment of veterans, reintegration of displaced persons, flexible human resources management, promoting diversity, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the workforce.
The document provides real benefits to businesses: it helps to attract and retain strong employees and builds a reputation of a modern and responsible employer that is open to change. It promotes innovation and adaptability through team development and the introduction of new technologies. Taking care of the staff’s well-being increases motivation and effectiveness. Companies also get access to useful HR tools, practices, and partner support.
"The priority task of the Charter is to create a community that unites businesses around humanity and care for all categories of employees. The dissemination of best practices will help increase the sustainability of Ukrainian companies and raise labor standards," emphasized Roman Bondar, Head of Korn Ferry office in Ukraine.
For employees, in turn, the HCR Charter will promote fair and safe working conditions. By integrating the principles of the HCR Charter, employers are committing to provide support to their staff in difficult life situations, equal access to work, training, and career growth, opportunities for development, and a voice in important company decisions.