On 25 October 2022, at the 5th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a Grant Agreement to support the Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme. The Eastern European Partnership for Energy Efficiency and Environment Fund (E5R Fund) will allocate 2 million euros to the restoration of a number of healthcare facilities that suffered as a result of the Russian military aggression.

The Agreement was signed in the presence of Werner Hoyer, EIB President, Teresa Czerwińska, EIB Vice-President, Oleksii Chernyshov, Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, and Manal Fouani, Acting Resident Representative of UNDP in Ukraine.

Minister Oleksii Chernyshov thanked the EIB and UNDP for continued cooperation and future advisory support to Ukrainian municipalities in the preparation of high-quality projects that can be further financed under the Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme.

“Implementation of European practices regarding energy efficiency policy is one of Ukraine’s key priorities. Improving the energy efficiency of public buildings has been and will remain a key element for ensuring the country’s energy security. We are looking forward to the launch of the first call for proposals under this Programme, so that municipalities can submit their proposals for thermo-modernisation or renovation, in particular for kindergartens, schools and healthcare facilities. We are committed to rebuilding Ukraine according to the highest standards of energy efficiency. For every destroyed or damaged building, we will build a modern, safe and energy-efficient one,” said Oleksii Chernyshov.

In August of this year, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified two grant agreements between Ukraine and the EIB, which provide for the receipt of grants of 5 million euros for the implementation of the Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme. According to Oleksii Chernyshov, since the beginning of the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has been in constant communication with the EIB in order to adapt the Programme to the current situation. In particular, it was agreed to allocate 2 million euros of grant funds for the prompt recovery of a number of healthcare facilities.

In July 2021, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Financial Agreement between Ukraine and the EIB, which provides for the thermo-modernisation of public buildings in Ukraine, in particular kindergartens, healthcare facilities, schools, etc.