The goal of the project and assistance to AHs of the Kharkiv Oblast to improve the situation in the field of energy efficiency were discussed on 2 August 2018 during the presentation of “Our Energy – Energy Capable Hromada” project at the Kharkiv Local Government Development Centre, established with the support of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme and MinRegion.

This project is a pilot one in Ukraine. It is being implemented due to the synergy of many partners, who at various stages played an important role, from the very idea to the stage of completion. These partners include the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Kharkiv, the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, the Polish-Ukrainian Agrarian Association NGO, the Kharkiv LGDC, “Study Tour to Poland” Programme, and the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration.

In his greeting speech, Włodzimierz Leszczyński, Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Kharkiv, noted that Polish experience in the field of energy efficiency should be very useful for Ukraine. As part of the project, Polish experts will get acquainted with the conditions, needs and energy benefits of each hromada. After that, recommendations will be prepared on what needs to be done to improve the energy saving situation and money saving for each of the hromadas.

“The idea of the project “Our Energy – Energy Capable Hromada” arose two years ago during the participation of representatives of the AHs of the Kharkiv Oblast in the Baltic Business Forum (Świnoujście), leading information and communication platform of Poland, where they presented the Kharkiv Oblast,” commented Diana Barinova, Director of the Kharkiv LGDC.

Polish experts from Krajowa Agencja Poszanowania Energii S.A. have already made the first visits to amalgamated hromadas of the Kharkiv Oblast.

Within the framework of the project, representatives of each of five selected AHs will take part in a study trip to the Republic of Poland in September 2018, during which they will be able to get acquainted with the leading experience of the Polish gminas in the field of energy efficiency.

At the next stage, a training will be organised for a wider range of representatives of the respective territories, which will be aimed at advising on how to get funds for the implementation of recommended projects in Ukraine and abroad. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2018.

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