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Evolving anti-corruption practice in rebuilding Ukraine: The Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development

The Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development in Ukraine was established in early 2023. The construction sector in general and the predecessors of the Agency have a poor track record when it comes to corruption. In addition to measures under the State Anti-Corruption Programme 2023–2025, the new Agency has developed its own risk assessment and anti-corruption programme for all of its local branches, and collaborates with anti-corruption institutions and CSOs.

Also available in French and Ukrainian
5 February 2024
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Evolving anti-corruption practice in rebuilding Ukraine: The Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development

Main points

  • In early 2023 the State Road Agency (Ukravtodor) and the State Agency for Infrastructure Projects (Ukrinfraproyekt) were merged into the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development (the Agency) under new leadership. The Agency is responsible for rebuilding critical infrastructure and housing destroyed or damaged across Ukraine.
  • The construction sector in general and the predecessors of the Agency have a poor track record when it comes to corruption. Hence, in 2023, special attention was given to assessing risks and developing anti-corruption programmes for the Agency and its regional branches.
  • In addition to being tasked with 12 specific measures under the State Anti-Corruption Programme 2023–2025, the Agency developed its own anti-corruption programme.
  • A memorandum of understanding between the Agency and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau has already been put to (a successful!) test when the head of the Agency blew the whistle on a bribery attempt in November 2023.
  • The civil society organisation (CSO) coalition RISE plays an important role in developing the tools to allow for transparency and oversight of reconstruction activities. As part of the Transparency and Accountability Council that the Agency set up as early as April 2023 to obtain critical advice, CSOs were involved in the development of its anti-corruption programme and continue to play a role in the recruitment of new regional unit heads.
  • The collaboration with CSOs and anti-corruption agencies has been crucial for the Agency in developing its new anti-corruption programme and will continue to be important while internal capacity and policies are being strengthened throughout its units. Some recommend a law to clarify and strengthen the legal and operational framework of the new Agency.

Cite this publication


Gregirchak, I.; Schütte, S. (2024) Evolving anti-corruption practice in rebuilding Ukraine: The Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development. Bergen: U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Brief 2024:1)

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About the authors

Iaroslav Gregirchak

Iaroslav Gregirchak is a government relations and public policy professional with more than 25 years of legal and international development experience with international law firms, the World Bank, and USAID. He has extensive experience in designing, developing, and managing specialised multi-stakeholder ombudsman mechanisms. From 2015 to 2022 Iaroslav was Ukraine’s Deputy Business Ombudsman. At the time of this publication Iaroslav works as the Business Enabling Environment & Access to Finance Team Lead under USAID's Competitiveness Economy Project (CEP) implemented by Chemonics International.

Dr. Sofie Arjon Schütte leads U4’s thematic work on the justice sector, including specialised institutions like anti-corruption agencies and courts. Previously, she worked for the Partnership for Governance Reform in Indonesia and the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission and has conducted workshops and short-term assignments on corruption in more than 15 countries. She is editor of the series of U4 publications on anti-corruption courts around the world.

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