Six industrial communities in Ukraine will implement energy projects or develop plans for larger-scale transformation. Three of them will receive approximately UAH 500,000 each, while another three will benefit from expert support to develop feasibility studies.
The competition was organised by Ecoaction and Luhansk Regional Human Rights Center “Alternative” with the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It primarily targeted communities whose economies have traditionally depended on coal, gas, oil, or metallurgy.
“Communities are actively seeking solutions that ensure energy-efficient consumption and reduce dependence on power supply disruptions. They aim to create conditions in which essential buildings and services can continue operating even during electricity outages, particularly through the use of renewable energy sources,” said Tetiana Deriabkina, Energy Department Specialist at Ecoaction.
Among the winners is a social services centre from Selydove, which received UAH 499,700 to install a solar thermal system at a residential care facility in the village of Mykolaivka, Odesa region. The municipal institution “Centre for Social Services” of the Selydove City Council relocated its operations to Odesa region due to the russian occupation.
The project includes the installation of seven solar collectors and a 1,000-litre thermal storage tank. The system will provide 800–1,200 litres of hot water per day and is expected to save up to 12,000 kWh of electricity annually. The facility serves 25 residents requiring round-the-clock care. The grant covers 100% of the project costs.
The Bohdan Lepkyi Drohobych Scientific Lyceum, in partnership with the relocated Donetsk National Technical University, received approximately UAH 500,000 to install a hybrid solar power plant with a capacity of 13.53 kW and battery storage of 20.4 kWh.
The system will ensure the continuity of the educational process during power outages. A training laboratory will also be established on the basis of the solar installation, where lecturers from DonNTU will deliver courses on renewable energy. The project will benefit 781 lyceum students and over 1,000 university students.
The Kramatorsk City Council received funding to develop a feasibility study for an integrated energy supply system for the city’s wastewater treatment facilities. The project envisions combining solar generation, energy storage, heat pumps, cogeneration, and electric transport for municipal services. The system is expected to ensure uninterrupted wastewater services for more than 90,000 residents during electricity outages.
Another winner is the municipal enterprise “Komunalnyk” from the settlement of Donets in Kharkiv region, which is implementing a water supply project with a total budget of UAH 549,537. Due to shelling, the community experiences electricity outages lasting 15–18 hours per day. To ensure uninterrupted water supply, three battery storage systems will be added to the existing 30 kW solar installation, along with equipment upgrades. The system serves approximately 1,815 residents, including 370 internally displaced persons.
The Pryiutivka Settlement Council in Kirovohrad region will develop a feasibility study for the installation of a wind turbine alongside an existing solar power plant.
The Okhtyrka City Council in Sumy region will commission a feasibility study for a smart energy management system at a local lyceum. Currently, part of the generated solar electricity is lost. The new system will automatically redirect surplus energy to where it is needed most, such as for water heating. According to estimates, electricity costs could be reduced by 30–40%.
The winners were selected by a commission comprising representatives of Ecoaction, Luhansk Regional Human Rights Center “Alternative”, and the FCDO. The selection criteria included project relevance and feasibility, impact on community residents, innovation, and cost-effectiveness.
Project implementation will take place from 1 April to 30 June 2026.
This activity was funded with UK International Development from the UK government. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and may not coincide with the official position of the UK government.