On 6 September 2018, U-LEAD with Europe launched its new initiative “Support to energy management in amalgamated hromadas”. The event in Kyiv brought together 100 stakeholders from national and international agencies, including representatives of 30 selected amalgamated hromadas (AHs). The local authorities will receive direct support in becoming more energy-efficient, thus freeing up money for vital investments in municipal services and socio-economic development.

This U-LEAD initiative is implemented jointly with the GIZ Project “Energy Efficiency in Municipalities II” and will run up until October 2019. Thirty AHs will receive technical support in setting up integrated energy management systems, including Plans for Sustainable Energy Development and Climate (SECAP). Through the 24 Local Government Development Centres, good practices, tools and materials will be widely disseminated for the benefit of local authorities across the whole of Ukraine. 

At the launch event, Johannes Baur (EU Delegation to Ukraine), Sascha Kuhn (U-LEAD with Europe) and Gregor Brömling (GIZ Energy Efficiency in Municipalities II) welcomed guests, underlining the importance of reliable and cost-effective energy management. In the face of rising energy prices, local authorities face extreme budget constraints that leave little room for desperately needed investments in public services and infrastructure. Effective energy management can help reduce energy costs and thus provide immediate remedy. Moreover, the efficient use of resources and a focus on sustainable energy constitute concrete steps towards climate goals and a higher quality of life at large.

List of selected AHs