Ukraine is implementing 335 restoration projects worth almost EUR 585 million through financial agreements with the European Investment Bank. Communities are realising their initiatives through the Emergency credit program for the rehabilitation of Ukraine, the Ukraine Recovery Programme, and the Ukraine Recovery Programme III.

These programmes provide funding for important social infrastructure:

• repair and construction of schools and medical facilities;
• restoration of water supply and sewage systems;
• insulation and modernisation of public buildings;
• construction of social housing;
• creating decent conditions for internally displaced persons and the communities that host them.

Communities participate in the financing of their projects and cover at least 20 per cent of their cost.

Since 2024, the Ministry for Development has held an open competition for projects in the DREAM ecosystem every year. Communities submit applications, which are then evaluated by a commission comprising representatives from ministries and the public, who review them transparently online. All information about the competition is open.

Following consultations with the EIB at the URC 2025 Conference in Rome, an additional area of support was added to the list: the construction of factory kitchens in communities.

This decision will provide communities with modern, energy-efficient facilities for centralised food preparation, reduce maintenance costs for kitchen units and improve food quality and safety for children and other population groups.

As a result, the new area of support has been introduced in response to the growing need to expand the support programme for communities facing additional challenges during the war. These challenges include providing food for large numbers of internally displaced persons, maintaining the stable operation of social institutions and optimising resources in conditions of limited funding.

‘We are grateful to the European Investment Bank for supporting important infrastructure projects. This year, we are implementing another initiative together with the EIB: the construction of five factory kitchens. This school nutrition model has already proven its effectiveness: it saves money and provides children with high-quality, safe food. Factory kitchens can also benefit other groups in society, particularly internally displaced persons,’ said Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories.

This year, the construction of factory kitchens in five communities is recommended for implementation:

• Zaporizhzhia and Lebedyn: frontline territories with special requirements for the transportation and storage of meals;
• Vyshneve and Vinnytsia: communities that host large numbers of internally displaced persons;
• Sheptytskyi in the western part of the country: to provide displaced persons with quality meals and support community stability.

In accordance with the relevant procedures, all recommended projects will be submitted to the European Investment Bank for approval. This is another guarantee of the transparent, targeted, and accountable use of funds from donors and international partners.

With the financial support of The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the first factory kitchen opened in Bucha in 2023. This enterprise prepares around 7,500 meals each day for 16 local schools.

Factory kitchens are modern enterprises that centrally prepare and deliver meals to schools in one or more communities. They operate using Cook&Chill technology: meals are prepared, quickly cooled to +3°C, stored in safe conditions and reheated in food service areas before serving. The entire process – from preparation to serving – takes no more than 24 hours, which meets sanitary safety requirements. This reduces water and electricity costs and guarantees food safety and stable supply.

The launch of such enterprises is realised through interdepartmental cooperation between the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health and other structures. The Ministry for Development coordinates the implementation of these projects through the DREAM digital ecosystem, which ensures transparent planning, management and monitoring at all stages.