On 21-22 May, the third workshop for representatives of industrial and coal communities of Ukraine “Industrial Communities: From Projects to Partnership” was held in Kyiv.
Over 50 representatives from 22 communities in Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Volyn, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Poltava regions joined the workshop.
The participants worked on two key issues: how to go from an energy idea to a well-prepared and financed project, and how industrial communities can strengthen each other.
“For many communities, an energy project begins with a very specific need: so that during power outages there is electricity in a school, a hospital can work, and utility services do not stop. But then the question arises of how to turn this need into a ready-made project and find funds for it. This is where clear tools, support and cooperation with other communities facing similar challenges are needed,” said Tetiana Deriabkina, energy policy expert at NGO Ecoaction.
On the first day of the workshop, the participants were presented with a collection of typical recommendations for updating local acts in the field of energy, environment and reconstruction, and a step-by-step algorithm for preparing an energy project: from choosing a facility and formulating the problem to a feasibility study, terms of reference for attracting an expert and finding financing.
Barriers that often prevent communities from implementing energy solutions were separately discussed: gaps in local regulation, a weak energy management system, the difficulty of finding financing, etc.
Another part of the workshop was focused on group work around the idea of a future platform of industrial communities. Participants discussed what problems communities cannot solve on their own, what functions such a platform could perform, and what communities themselves are willing to invest in this joint work. Possible areas included advocacy at the national and international levels, exchange of experience, joint project preparation, and representation of the interests of industrial areas in the processes of green reconstruction and just transition.
The second day was devoted to practical solutions in the field of renewable energy. Participants were introduced to typical solutions for installing solar power plants at municipal facilities, regulatory requirements, and examples of already implemented projects. Due to regular Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, it is important for communities to have solutions that will help hospitals, schools, water utilities, and other basic services operate even during power outages.
Participants also discussed what opportunities for financing energy projects are available to communities in 2026: from the DREAM platform and government programs to international donor and loan opportunities.
The workshop showed that industrial communities need not only support for individual projects, but also a space for joint work. For many of them, just transition already means quite practical things: preparing a project, finding funds, strengthening energy sustainability and gradually creating new opportunities for local development.
The next event within the project is planned for July: participants will continue working on the idea of a joint platform of industrial communities.
The event was organised by NGOs Ecoaction and the Luhansk Regional Human Rights Center “Alternative” within the project “Beyond Coal: Expanding the Understanding of Just Transition to Other Sectors and Communities”, which is implemented with the support of the UK government.
As a reminder, the second workshop took place on 3-4 February in Kyiv. Participants worked with their own project ideas, learned to form “business cards” of projects, present them, receive feedback and see their initiatives through the eyes of partners and donors.