Oleksiy Riabykin, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, chaired a meeting of the Expert Working Group on the initiation, preparation, support and implementation of joint projects with the European Investment Bank under the Emergency Credit Programme for Ukraine’s Recovery, the Ukraine Recovery Programme and the Ukraine Recovery Programme III.

 

 

‘The Expert Working Group conducts a comprehensive assessment of prioritised projects in the DREAM ecosystem, taking the opinion of regional military administrations into account. We assess how well the projects meet the established requirements and criteria, particularly in terms of their readiness for implementation, budget justification, social significance, expected impact on communities, and alignment with the community’s strategic priorities. Based on the results of this work, we compile a list of projects recommended for funding. First and foremost, this concerns support for frontline territories. Most of these projects involve constructing bomb shelters, repairing medical facilities and restoring and modernising heating and water supply systems. All projects supported by the working group are submitted to the European Investment Bank for approval,’ emphasised Oleksii Riabykin.

 

 

Following the review of community proposals during three meetings, the working group approved funding for eight projects in Sumy region: reconstruction and repair of medical facilities in Konotop and Okhtyrka communities, construction of bomb shelters in Duboviazivka and Sumy communities, reconstruction and repair of sewerage and wastewater treatment networks in Hlukhiv and Sumy communities, and construction of two water pipelines in Trostianets community.

 

 

Nine projects in Kharkiv region have also been approved: emergency repair and overhaul of medical facilities in Derhachi, Balakliia, and Kharkiv communities, overhaul of educational institutions in Pechenihy and Berestyn communities, reconstruction of a water pipeline in Balakliia community, restoration of a hydraulic structure in Pechenihy community, reconstruction of a water pipeline in Slobozhanske community, and construction of a bomb shelter in a kindergarten in Biliaivka community.

Six projects have been approved in Chernihiv region: construction of a water pipeline in Horodnia community, construction of bomb shelters in a preschool and medical facility in Berezna and Ichnia communities, construction of bomb shelters in Bobrovytia and Oster communities, and modernisation of the sewage system in Nyzhyn community.

 

 

At previous meetings, 45 projects in frontline regions were approved: 4 projects in Zaporizhzhia region, 2 projects in Donetsk region, 13 projects in Dnipropetrovsk region, 15 projects in Mykolaiv region, and 11 in Odesa region.

In total, communities in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions have submitted 223 projects with a financial request of UAH 9.4 billion.

Since 2024, the Ministry for Development has been holding an open competition for projects within the DREAM public investment management ecosystem. Communities submit applications, which are then evaluated by a working group in an online, transparent process. All information about the competition is publicly available. The working group comprises representatives from central executive bodies, local government associations, and public organisations.

 

 

Projects are financed under the Ukraine Recovery Programme III (Tranche B), which is being implemented by the Government of Ukraine in cooperation with the European Investment Bank. The total value of the agreement is EUR 100 million. The funds are intended for the restoration of social infrastructure in regions affected by russian military aggression and to support communities significantly burdened by an increased number of internally displaced persons.