How hromadas can gain money for ecological projects and green reconstruction

On September 22, Ekoltava has held a yearly coordination meeting with hromadas called “How to gain money for ecological projects and green reconstruction”. The meeting has gathered representatives from 18 urban and rural hromadas – Poltavska, Mykhaylivska, Reshetylivska, Kozelshchynska, Bilytska, Pryshybska, Petrivsko-Romenska, Velykobudyshchanska, Opishnianska, Serhiyivska, Bilotserkivska, Pyriatynska, Novoselivska, Novoorzhytska, Krasnolutska, Drabynivska, Martynivska and Kremenchutska.

The speakers were representatives from Poltava regional military administration, Reshetylivska hromada, Ukrainian climate network, Association of Ukrainian cities and NGO “Ekoltava”. Oleksandr Lemeshko, deputy head, Poltava regional council, took the floor, too. 

Iryna Lebid, head of department of organizational work, accountability and public relations, department of ecology and resources, Poltava regional military administration, has told in details about the program “Life” and how hromadas can apply for circular economics, increase in standards of living, climate change mitigation, preservation of natural biodiversity, and transition to renewable energy sources.

Head of department of economical development, trade and investments, executive committee, Reshetylivka town council, Andrii Romanov has presented a report titled “Challenges for hromadas in present days”, and has pointed out 5 basic types – budget, social, market, vital and legal challenges. Hromadas depend most severely on fossils fuels and consequently have to search for opportunities for energy-efficient measures, as well as “Think of tomorrow today” and stick to solutions that produce profound improvements.

Coordinator, Ukrainian Climate Network, Maksym Babayev has spoken on how local energy sector may banish problems with heating and why conventional energy networks are vulnerable. He has stressed on the importance of continuous access to energy under any circumstances, on energy independence of cities and villages, on the importance of implementing energy-saving activities. Hromadas also should review energy use and dispose of several schemes of energy supply in emergency cases. The probable solutions for hromadas are solar power stations, biofuel and portable heat generators. 

Financial expert, “Association of Ukrainian cities”, Serhii Harashchuk has spoken on strategic planning and why it is top important to be thoroughly discussed and worked out. Initially comes pointing out hromada’s advantages, then – its challenges, and finally, the vision of hromada’s future image. Concept, mission, and strategy should be worked out, priorities defined, target programs developed, and tasks set to bring them into living. All the departments that deal with local programs should have connection with systems of strategic and financial planning – this is an aligned process. 

Technical expert, NGO “Ekoltava”, Nadiia Hroza has presented the outcomes of the research on the use of local ecological funds in Poltava and Sumy hromadas. The analyst team has inspected the efficiency of using funds from ecological tax by hromadas, and examined the guidelines on how to improve quality and productivity of projects financed within local ecofunds.

The post-war renovation of Ukrainian hromadas was the part of meeting agenda, too. Yuliya Avramenko, analyst, has announced the “Roadmap for “green” post-war reconstruction of Ukrainian hromadas” and accentuated the need for green transformation regarding all hromadas without exception, not only those ruinated because of warfare. Yuliya has stressed on the importance of eradication of Soviet legacy and formation of environmentally aware society with decent standards of living for everyone.

Project coordinator, NGO “Ekoltava”, Anna Biesiedina has spoken on the progress of the project “PoSADY!”. A single action of aid in spring has turned to extremely important charity deed – providing seeds to people in dire straits because of warfare. The total number of persons who received help exceeds 3000, whereas Ekoltava’s team has developed a fund-raising platform so that as many as possible seed packages could be delivered to those who really need it.

The closing floor has been taken by deputy head, Poltava regional council, Oleksandr Lemeshko. He has spoken on assigning regional budget funds to renovate heat station in Kremenchuk partly destroyed by missile attacks of russian invaders. Oleksandr has told about his hard experience of being a part of humanitarian mission set to Izium and Balakliya. According to him, keen issues still are ecological problems, food security and energy supply to hromadas that had suffered from russian occupation and bombardments. 

We repeat once again that this event was a part of Initiative on the development of ecological policy and advocation in Ukraine, implemented by International fund “Vidrodzhennia” under financial support of Sweden.

Pictures by: Yuliya Avramenko