The Expert Working Group on the Initiation, Preparation, Support and Implementation of Joint Projects with the European Investment Bank under the Emergency Credit Programme for Ukraine’s Recovery, the Ukraine Recovery Programme and the Ukraine Recovery Programme III held its meeting. The meeting was chaired by Oleksii Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

‘We have completed our review of projects from frontline regions and are now moving on to applications from central regions. It is important for us to keep our priorities clear. First, we need to support communities that are struggling in the most difficult conditions. This concerns basic infrastructure: bomb shelters in kindergartens and schools, water supply, safety centres – everything that directly affects people’s safety and the life of communities,’ said Oleksii Riabykin.

Following the consideration of proposals from communities during two meetings, the Working Group approved funding for 20 more projects. In particular, the consideration of projects in frontline regions has been completed. Two more projects in Chernihiv region have been recommended for funding: the construction of bomb shelters in pre-school educational institutions in Ponornytsia and Varva communities; six projects in Kherson region: construction of security centres in Vysokopillia, Borozenske, Velyka Oleksandrivka, and Kalynivka communities, major repairs to the water supply system in the Dariivka community, and construction of a protective structure in Kochubeivka community.

As a result, a total of 76 projects from frontline territories were recommended for funding: 4 projects in Zaporizhzhia region, 2 projects in Donetsk region, 13 projects in Dnipropetrovsk region, 15 projects in Mykolaiv region, 11 in Odesa region, 8 in Sumy region, 9 in Kharkiv region, 8 in Chernihiv region, and 6 in Kherson region.

The Expert Working Group also approved seven projects in Zhytomyr region: major repairs to protective structures at a preschool and lyceum in Chervone and Ruzhyn communities, reconstruction of sewage treatment facilities in Korostyshiv community, reconstruction of water supply and sewage networks in Korosten community, reconstruction of a medical facility in Novohrad-Volynskyi community, major repairs to a lyceum in Ovruch community and five facilities in Vinnytsia region: construction of a modular boiler house and power generation facility in Ladyzhyn community, reconstruction of a healthcare facility in Vinnytsia community, construction of a bomb shelter in Stryzhavka community, and reconstruction of the water supply system in Lipovets community.

As previously reported, communities submitted a total of 677 applications for project funding under the Ukraine Recovery Program III (Tranche B).

The Ministry for Development is conducting an open competition for projects in DREAM – the public investment management ecosystem. Communities submit applications, are evaluated, and a working group considers them online transparently. All information about the competition is open. The working group comprises representatives of central executive bodies, associations of local governments, and public organizations.

Projects are financed under the Ukraine Recovery Program III (Tranche B), which is implemented by the Government of Ukraine in cooperation with the European Investment Bank. The total amount of the agreement is EUR 100 million. The funds are directed towards the restoration of social infrastructure in regions affected by russian military aggression, as well as to support communities that have been significantly burdened by the increase in the number of internally displaced persons.