Over the past few years, Ecoaction supported local NGOs in implementing projects that help Ukrainian communities become more climate resilient. These projects involve developing more effective climate policies, assessing communities’ climate change vulnerability, and selecting adaptation measures.
We continue to support such initiatives even now during the ongoing war waged by russia. Liberated or less affected places in Ukraine came to a need for recovery or reviewing their development path. Ecoaction as well as a number of other Ukrainian CSOs wants these processes to be green, sustainable, and realized with the usage of the best available technologies and practices.
In the fall of 2022, Ecoaction supported four NGOs that carried out projects dedicated to climate change adaptation over a six-month period.
Recently, we launched a new support program and selected 10 organizations that will implement projects based on the principles of Green reconstruction, also over the course of six months.
Read the text below to learn more about the selected projects and the communities in which they will be implemented.
‘Close to Nature’: Biodiversity Zone in Krasnokutsk, Kharkiv Oblast, by Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG)
The organization has decided to continue its work with the Krasnokutsk community and bring to life the recommendations they developed earlier. It is about the recommendations for post-war recovery on the implementation of nature-oriented solutions for adaptation that UNCG developed with the support of Ecoaction too.
The ‘Close to Nature’ Project involves creating biodiversity areas and meadows with diverse grasses on the community territory. To make this experience applicable in other communities, UNCG will also prepare step-by-step instruction with drawings, photographs of intermediate stages, and a list of necessary materials.
‘Knowing to Rebuild!’ Green solutions for the Recovery of Zaporizhzhia City, by Ecosense NGO
Zaporizhzhia-based organization Ecosense continues to actively promote crucial climate solutions in their city. In the project “Knowing to Rebuild,” the team will focus on working with condominiums, public utility sector employees, and entrepreneurs. Lectures will be held, and informational materials will be developed specifically for these audiences.
Furthermore, Ecosense will carry out a demonstration site of greening of the area around a residential building. It will be implemented using nature-based solutions and taking into account Zaporizhzhia’s climatic features.
Throughout the project, the organization will also provide the relevant department of the Zaporizhzhia City Council with recommendations for incorporating green components into the city’s strategical documents.
Research of Water Bodies and Analysis of Composting Impact in Lyubotyn, Kharkiv Oblast, by NGO ‘Centre for Public and Media Initiatives’
Within this project, the Centre will investigate the water quality in at least 10 ponds, 5 wells, and 2 rivers within the territory of Lyubotyn urban territorial community. Based on the research results, the team will prepare recommendations for the community and create an interactive map containing water analysis data.
Additionally, an information campaign is planned aimed at various community audiences (local residents, local self-government bodies, etc.) to share with them knowledge about the impact of anthropogenic, wartime, and climatic factors on water quality.
Another objective that the Center wants to achieve during the project is to study the effect of composting on greenhouse gas reduction, using the example of 10 community composters in Lyubotyn.
Meeting with NGOs Implementing Green Reconstruction Projects. August 3-4, Kyiv
The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Teofipol Community, Khmelnytskyi Region, by NGO ‘Khmelnytskyi Energy Cluster’
The Cluster experts will develop a The Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Teofipol territorial community in Khmelnytskyi Region. This document will include steps to reduce emissions in the community by 35% by 2030.
Potential projects that will be included in the SECAP will be selected by a working group consisting of representatives from the community, business, and government. To maximize the dissemination of information about these projects, the Cluster plans to publish updates in local media, on social media platforms, and on the website of Teofipol local government. Prior to the adoption of the SECAP at the session of the village council, there will be a public presentation with a discussion.
Furthermore, the Cluster will assist the community in joining the ‘Covenant of Mayors’ initiative and the ‘Energy Transition’ coalition.
Assessment of Vulnerability of Dolynska Community in Kirovohrad Oblast to Climate Change and Recommendations for Adaptation and Green Recovery, by NGO ‘Center for International Cooperation and Project Implementation’
The main objective of this project is to prepare an assessment of the vulnerability of the Dolynska territorial community to climate change. Based on the assessment results, the Center’s team will develop recommendations for the community regarding climate change adaptation and green recovery.
Throughout the project implementation, the organization aims to bring together local residents, authorities, enterprises, services, and businesses in order to achieve a systemic approach to finding solutions for climate change adaptation in the Dolynska community.
Conservation of the Irpin River Floodplain as an Essential Element of Irpin’s Green Principles Recovery, by NGO ‘Green Wave’
The organization plans to develop a document justifying the necessity of granting protected status to areas within the Irpin River floodplain.
Coordinators from ‘Green Wave’ also intend to hold a series of community meetings to discuss the need for conserving the Irpin River floodplain, as well as to provide lectures about the role of protected areas in the climate resilience of communities.
In addition to the justification document, the organization will also prepare a separate brochure highlighting the value of the Irpin River floodplain.
Development of Recommendations Based on Green Recovery Principles for the Complex Restoration Program of the Bucha Urban Territorial Community, by NGO ‘I am a Buchanets’
The project team will develop proposals based on green recovery principles for the key document guiding the reconstruction of the Bucha Municipal Territorial Community. Representatives of the organization have also joined the working group organised by the Bucha city council, which is responsible for the restoration program.
The NGO plans to systematize its work on monitoring water quality, air quality, and green areas within the community’s territory. Based on their experience, they will create a how-to guide that can be utilized by other communities.
Additionally, the team will create an interactive map containing information about green areas within the community and alternative sources of drinking water.
Promotion of the Green Deal in the City through Interactive Activities for Youth, by NGO ‘Vin-Resource’
The organization has planned a series of activities to promote green development among Vinnytsia’s residents. Some of these include:
- Excursions for city residents to introduce biodiversity conservation projects such as ‘Small Rivers’ and ‘Vinnytsia Meadows.’
- Open lectures for residents by representatives of Vinnytsia’s environmental businesses.
- ‘Green Movie Day,’ featuring films about climate change, ecology, and the impact of war on Ukraine’s environment.
- A performance in the city center dedicated to environmental issues.
Development of Recommendations for the Complex Restoration Program of the Pokrovske Municipal Territorial Community Including the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Measures by 2030, by NGO ‘Regional Center for Economic Research and Business Support’ (RCERBS)
The complex restoration program for the Pokrovske Community in Dnipropetrovsk Region will include calculations of the community’s energy balance, the CO2 emissions inventory, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as ecological and energy security measures.
The RCERBS team will collaborate with community representatives and local authorities to implement the project. The NGO will gather community input before creating the document and will present it for consideration and alignment.
Revival of Aesthetic and Ecological Functions of the Small Watercourses of the Mlynivka River and Radchanka River in the Ivano-Frankivsk Urban Territorial Community, by NGO ‘Innovative University’
The organization plans to conduct a complex assessment of the ecosystem state of the Mlynivka and Radchanka rivers (water chemistry, geomorphology, morphometric characteristics). Based on the assessment results, project experts will prepare articles for specialised media and present them at public events.
Public hearings on the importance of restoring the ecosystems of the mentioned rivers and a seminar for stakeholders from the Ivano-Frankivsk Urban Territorial Community are also planned. The seminar will focus on modern ecosystem approaches and methods for managing small rivers.
The projects are implemented with the financial support of the Federal Ministry for Economics Affairs and Climate Action of Germany within the framework of the International Climate Initiative (Die Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative, IKI) project. The views expressed in this document are the position of the authors and should not necessarily be interpreted as the official opinion of the donors.