Hennadii Zubko named key reforms of decentralisation and energy efficiency, which have already become a successful business card of Ukraine in Europe, among the main achievements of MinRegion over 2017. “All the partners we cooperate with – the European Union, the USA, Canada and others – have joined our reforms. And we have already observed significant results, including not only the growing number of hromadas and local budget revenues, but first and foremost – the change in the quality of life in hromadas, for example, establishment of hub schools, construction of new kindergartens and ASCs, restoration of road infrastructure, etc.,” emphasised Hennadii Zubko, Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services of Ukraine, during the concluding press conference “Reforms in a Non-Stop Mode”.

“Energy efficiency is a new trend in the Ukrainian society. We disseminate an “energy efficient” way of thinking and life style among people. Apartment building co-owners associations, the number of which is over 28 thousand in Ukraine, are the main drivers of the energy efficiency reform. The demand of these associations for energy efficiency is confirmed by the dynamics of the state programme of “warm” loans, including with the participation of 158 municipal co-financing programmes. I would like to note that over three years of existence of the programme of apartment building co-owners associations, about 274 thousand “warm” loans have been provided”, said Hennadii Zubko.

Based on the results of the decentralisation and energy efficiency reforms, Vice Prime Minister also spoke about the ministry’s plans for the current year. “Decentralisation laws, adopted last year, made it possible to strengthen the voluntary amalgamation of hromadas and increase tax revenues to local budgets. This year we will focus on the formation of capable hromadas; their legislative strengthening; development of a network of kindergartens, as we have to eliminate the queue of 52 000 places; development of Administrative Service Centre systems, New Educational Space and safety centres. Regarding energy efficiency, housing and communal services, this includes implementation of the key energy efficiency laws (development of more than 45 regulatory acts); motivation to unite into apartment building co-owners associations, launch of the Energy Efficiency Fund and market of energy auditors and professional managers,” the official said.

“The work on the new City Building and Housing Codes, development of the Water Resources Management Strategy, that has not been reviewed for a long time, territory planning and further transfer of powers of state architectural and building control to the local level are among the main tasks for 2018.”

“There is a lot of work to do and many tasks to fulfil. We have talked to our European partners and leaders of change that are the guides and implementers of the reforms, adopted by the Parliament and submitted by the Government,” said Hennadii Zubko.