2022 became the most difficult year in the modern history of Ukraine. The military aggression of the russian federation forced the majority of Ukrainians to change their lives and make new plans, and affected the social and economic situation in the country. The past year was also full of events for the Energy Efficiency Fund. Update of the “ENERGODIM” Program, which made it possible to implement it in new conditions. The launch of the new “VidnovyDIM” Program, which has become the greatest hope for all owners of houses damaged by the war. Adoption of important laws and projects at the state level. 2022 will go down in the history of the Fund as the year of the fastest decisions.
These achievements would not have been possible without effective cooperation with the Government of Ukraine and relevant ministries. In particular, this year the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved draft additional agreements with the European Commission on the financing of activities of the “Energy Efficiency Support Program in Ukraine — EE4U” and “Energy Efficiency Support Program in Ukraine — EE4U-ІІ”. This made it possible to extend the operation of the Energy Modernization Support Program for apartment buildings “ENERGODIM” for three years. In addition, the agreement laid the groundwork for improving cooperation mechanisms between donors, the International Finance Corporation and the Energy Efficiency Fund.
Today, the Fund is already implementing two programs — and this is the most rapid reaction to the war started by russia on the territory of our country. The launch of the “VidnovyDIM” Program is a new activity of the Energy Efficiency Fund and a necessary step in helping Ukrainians affected by the war. The Fund provides Program participants with funding in the form of a grant, which is paid on a free and non-refundable basis in the amount of 100% of the cost of materials and works necessary for the implementation of the project. This became possible, in particular, thanks to the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada and the signing by the President of the Law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Creation of Conditions for the Introduction of Complex Thermal Modernization of Buildings”, to which experts of the Energy Efficiency Fund submitted their proposals.
This Law, in addition, created new and improved existing mechanisms for ensuring the energy efficiency of buildings, significantly simplified the process of energy modernization. Since the beginning of the “ENERGODIM” Program, 238 HOAs have completely or partially modernized their buildings and received grants. In total, the Energy Efficiency Fund compensated UAH 706.6 million, 530 of which — since the beginning of the war.
“This year, the Fund changed in accordance with the requirements of the times. We continue to implement the “ENERGODIM” Program, and as a result, thousands of Ukrainians live in renewed energy-efficient houses with improved conditions and reduced utility bills,” says Yehor Fareniuk, director of the Energy Efficiency Fund. — “At the same time, we have expanded the scope of our activities – under the new “VidnovyDIM” Program, we provide grants (for the first time – in advance and covering 100% of the costs!) for the reconstruction of houses damaged as a result of the war. And thanks to it, hundreds of Ukrainians have already been able to return to their homes. Implementation of these initiatives would not be possible without our partners. We are incredibly grateful to them for understanding the needs of modern Ukraine, for constructive cooperation in the implementation of bold ideas.”
The pilot stage of the “VidnovyDIM” Program has been in effect since November 21. Houses damaged as a result of the war, in which HOAs have been created, can take part in it. Currently, the Program is being implemented in four regions — Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv and Sumy. The grant is given to houses that have not suffered structural damage and reimburses, in particular, the replacement or repair of window units and balcony and exterior door units, building façades and coverings, roof boiler rooms and utility networks. The Energy Efficiency Fund has already received 52 applications as part of the new “VidnovyDIM” Program. The amount of our grants is more than UAH 127 million. 8 homeowners associations received over UAH 10.5 million.
This is only a small part of the achievements of the Energy Efficiency Fund in the difficult 2022. Its team and partners are already making plans for the coming year, which, the Fund is sure, will require no less innovation. “Now, another one has been added to our main goal (which is to achieve energy independence of Ukraine) – the reconstruction of the country,” Yehor Fareniuk commented. — “According to the Kyiv School of Economics, 40% of Ukraine’s housing stock was damaged as a result of hostilities. We are ready to join the restoration work and have already developed the necessary mechanisms for this. In 2023, we plan to expand the operation of the “VidnovyDIM” Program to other regions of Ukraine. We are confident that together we will be able to build a successful and prosperous future for our country.”