March 23, 2022, forever remains etched in the memory of the residents of Mechnykova Street in Irpin as a day of great tragedy. Six enemy 122-mm mines struck the residential building directly. The consequences were catastrophic: the roof was destroyed, walls and facades were damaged, windows shattered, and internal building systems ruined.
The First Steps: Unity Against Destruction
Despite the shock, the people of Irpin did not give up. They understood that if they did not act immediately, the building would be lost forever.
“We realized that every minute of delay was a threat to our shared home. Fear gave way to determination: we had to save what had survived,” recalls Olha Malakh, Chair of the HOA Board. “Shared grief quickly brought us together. As much as possible under those extremely difficult circumstances, we became one”.
Initially, the residents began restoring the building with their own hands: collecting funds, clearing debris, hauling out tons of rubble, and repairing walls. Thanks to this herculean effort, the building’s damage classification was upgraded from level four to level two, opening the way for participation in the Energy Efficiency Fund’s “VidnovyDIM” program.
Reconstruction with “VidnovyDIM”
Within the framework of the Energy Efficiency Fund’s program, the residents were able to carry out the most extensive and costly works — repairing the facades and roof structures. The grant provided by the Energy Efficiency Fund for the restoration of the HOA “Green House on Mechnykova” exceeded UAH 4 million. For other types of work, the HOA also actively mobilized funds from charitable organizations and foundations.
A Symbol of New Life
Today, the building on Mechnykova no longer bears the marks of the shelling. It has once again become a cozy fortress for its owners.
“Now the lights are shining in our windows again, and life is bustling in the entrances — this is the greatest happiness we dreamed of during the shelling. We are infinitely grateful to the Energy Efficiency Fund for the ‘VidnovyDIM’ program, which became a lifeline for us. We are thankful to everyone who helped. Collective action is an extraordinary force capable of creating miracles even where it seemed all was lost. We have reclaimed our home, and this gratitude cannot be expressed in words,” shares Olha Malakh.
About the “VidnovyDIM” Program
- Launch: November 2022
- Objective: To finance the restoration of HOA buildings damaged as a result of the Russian armed aggression.
- Funding: The program is financed by the European Union in partnership with IFC and the Government of Ukraine.
- Grant Conditions: 100% reimbursement of expenses (first tranche – 60%, second tranche – 40%).
- Limit: Up to UAH 10 million per building.
More Information: Details on participation conditions are available at this link.