Thermal Modernization Success Stories in Lviv’s Homeowners Associations

On February 17, 2017, a press tour to Lviv will take place for journalists based in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, as well as journalists from western Ukraine. The topic of the tour is “Thermal Modernization Success Stories in Lviv’s Homeowners Associations (HOAs).”

Mr. Sergiy Savchuk, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, will participate in the tour.

Event Organizers: The State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine, supported by the USAID Municipal Energy Reform in Ukraine Project.

Purpose: Using real life cases of thermally modernized HOAs to demonstrate the benefits of the government sponsored “warm credits” program for participating condo associations that receive realistic opportunities to reduce utility bill payments as a result of energy efficiency and energy saving measures.

The press tour agenda will feature:

1.    Press conference by Mr. Sergiy Savchuk, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine
2.    Visits to condo associations that have implemented the “Warm Credits” Program – related energy efficiency and energy saving measures, namely:

•     “Berehinya” condo association, 158-B, Kulparkivska St., Lviv;
•     “Striyska 93” condo association, 93, Striyska St., Lviv

The press conference starts at 10:00 a.m.
The press conference venue is Taurus Hotel, 5, Kniaz Sviatoslav Square, Lviv.
The visits to the condo associations will take place between 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Please register in advance for the press tour to avoid paying a participation fee.

The organizers will pay for meals and hotel accommodations and reimburse the cost of travel to Lviv for all Kyiv city- and Kyiv Oblast-based journalists as well as journalists from outlying areas in western Ukraine.
The number of participants is limited.

Mass Media representatives can receive tour accreditation by calling the following numbers: (044) 590-59-65, 067 601 58 55
or sending an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The accreditation deadlines are
•    Kyiv city- and Kyiv Oblast-based registrants – 4:00 p.m. on February 15, 2017;
•    Participants from western Ukraine –  5:00 p.m. on February 16, 2017.

Contact person – Olena Kurinna, Communications and Public Relations Department, the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine.

Low Emission Development: What US Experience Will Help Change in Ukraine

The USAID Municipal Energy Reform in Ukraine Project (USAID Project) and Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine held a briefing on 3 February 2017 regarding the MPs’ study tour to the United States. The tour was arranged to exchange experience on the transition to low emission economic development. The event presented the U.S. experience in developing and introducing green energy and how to practically implement the American experience in Ukraine.

Briefing participants – MPs of Ukraine who visited the United States in January 2017 within the framework of the USAID Project program: Olga Belkova, Deputy Head of VR Committee on the Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy, and Nuclear Safety; Oleksii Ryabchyn, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency, VR Committee on the Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy, and Nuclear Safety; Ostap Yednak, Secretary of the VR Committee on Environmental Policy, Natural Resources Management, and the Liquidation of the Aftermath of the Chernobyl Disaster.

Low emission development issues must become one of the key levers of economic growth in Ukraine. The Ukrainian scientists, government officials, MPs, representatives of civil society who are engaged in the formation and implementation of the state policy in this area lack the experience and understanding of all aspects of the transition to a low emission economy. As a result, Ukrainian policy makers have often opted for energy intensive and carbon intensive economic development scenarios which cause negative implications for sustainable development, incentives and clean energy development, and generally do not promote the energy security of Ukraine.

The study tour, organized by USAID, allowed the representatives of the Ukrainian Government, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and scientists to improve their knowledge of the goals and processes behind the transition to low emission development, to gain experience in developing and implementing better policies supporting the weighted transition to an economy with low greenhouse gas emissions in the long-term perspective. During the study tour, the participants attended formal meetings with the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Energy, USAID, representatives of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Connecticut and New York Green Banks, Philadelphia mayor’s office and the Governor of Connecticut, and academics at two core Washington D.C.-based universities – Johns Hopkins and George Washington University.
  
The following issues were discussed at the briefing: how the results of this study tour to the U.S. will promote the strengthening of political support for and the development of the legislative framework on the transition to a low emission economy; the introduction of procedures and mechanisms promoting access to energy efficient and energy saving technologies, the transition to renewable energy for implementing a low emission economic development scenario in Ukraine.

PRESS BRIEFING COVERAGE>>

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The USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine, implemented on the national level and in 34 Ukrainian cities, was created to assist the municipalities and the Government in overcoming the energy crisis with the help of a variety of tools and measures. They all are aimed at reducing energy consumption, reducing expenses for energy carriers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the introduction of energy saving technologies and the use of alternative energy sources in residential buildings. More details on the USAID Project and its activities in the partner cities can be found on our web site.

The USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project (USAID Project) has completed the competition to select cities and territorial communities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts controlled by the Government of Ukraine, for the purpose of improving the efficiency of municipal energy resources usage. Here are the winners:

Based on the highest scores received, the following cities have become new partner cities of the USAID Project: Bakhmut, Dobropillia, Mariupol, Severodonetsk and Sloviansk.

The USAID Project has also selected among the participants the following associated partner cities: Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk and Rubizhne.

The Project will work with the partner cities to improve their efficiency in the use of municipal energy resources. This objective, depending on the priorities of the partner city, will be achieved through: energy audits of the energy supply systems and systems for providing communal services, trainings for specialists and providing assistance to the cities in developing Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP) or similar documents which identify energy development potential and promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the USAID Project will provide support to the cities in establishing municipal energy management, and will assist in raising financing for the implementation of the measures identified in the plans, SEAPs or identified as priorities as a result of energy audits of the key municipal systems.

Cooperation between the USAID Project and selected cities in the east may include:

•    conducting energy audits (scans) of the key energy systems (SEAP sectors: heat supply, water supply, transport, solid waste, etc.) and buildings (as a preliminary phase in the preparation of demonstration projects or feasibility studies and/or business plans);
•    providing assistance in developing SEAPs or other energy plans;
•    creating catalogs of investment projects, as well as investment programs, if necessary;
•    preparing project proposals for international financial institutions (IFIs) or private investors (PPPs);
•    providing assistance in establishing and improving the energy management system (conducting trainings, preparing documents, etc.);
•    providing assistance in organizing work under current IFI projects;
•    establishing or improving the operation of the Condominium Clean Energy Resource Centers; and
•    conducting an information campaign (information materials, billboards, TV PSAs on energy conservation; specialized TV programs, press briefings, conferences).

Attention! The USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine (USAID Project) announces the competitive selection of partner cities and/or territorial communities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts – exclusively for the territories controlled by the Government of Ukraine. 

One important direction in implementing the USAID Project is working with partner cities to improve the efficiency of municipal energy resource consumption. This goal is achieved by training specialists and assisting the cities in developing Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) and similar documents that identify energy development and promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These plans are based on energy audits of the energy supply systems and systems for providing communal services. In addition, the USAID Project supports the cities in the creation of their municipal energy management systems, and assists with attracting finances for implementing the measures identified in the energy plans and SEAP.

Directions of cooperation between the USAID Project and selected cities and/or territorial communities in the eastern regions may include:

•  Energy audits (scanning) of the key energy systems (SEAP sectors: heat supply, water supply, transport, solid household waste, etc.);

•  Energy audits of buildings (as a preliminary phase for preparing demonstration projects or feasibility studies and business plans);

•  Assistance in developing and finalizing the SEAP or other energy plans;

•  Creating catalogues of investment projects, as well as investment programs,  if needed;

•  Developing project proposals for IFIs (EBRD, NEFCO, EIB) or private investors (PPP);

•  Assistance in establishing and improving the energy management system (organization of trainings, development of the documents, etc.);

•  Assistance in  organizing work within existing IFI projects;

•  Legal support for implementing PPP and ESCO mechanisms, trainings on PPP and ESCO issues;

•  Establishing or improving existing Condominium Clean Energy Resource Centers;

•  Information campaigns (information materials, billboards, TV PSAs about energy saving; issue-related TV programs, press briefings, conferences).

The deadline for submitting applications  –  20 October 2016 before 6.00 p.m.  

Please send the filled out application form to the following address: USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine, 9-A Lva Tolstoho Street, Kyiv, 01004, and to the following e-mail addresses: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

You can find a sample Memorandum of Understanding between USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine and City Council on Cooperation as Part of Technical Assistance to the City here.

Please call with your questions at (044) 596-596-0.

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ATTENTION! CONTEST FOR JOURNALISTS START

USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project, together with the Center for Ukrainian Reform Education, and with sponsor support of the largest private gas extraction company of Ukraine Burisma Holdings, start the Contest for the best published media materials on energy efficiency, alternative and clean energy sources, advantages of condominiums, tariff reform and ensuring social protection of population. Main objective of the Contest is creating incentives for journalists for responsible and unbiased coverage of information on energy saving, tariff policy, subsidies and condominiums, as well as explanation of these issues to the audiences. These materials will allow to teach Ukrainians how to consume energy resources efficiently, and in general to change their mentality towards responsible and energy saving behavior.

The Contest invites the journalists from Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv oblasts to participate. Media materials published in the printed or Internet media, or materials broadcast on TV or radio in the period from November 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 will be accepted for participation in the Contest. Applications will be accepted through May, 15 2016.

REGULATION

on contest for the best published media materials on energy efficiency, alternative and clean energy sources, advantages of condominiums, tariff reform and ensuring social protection of population


PREAMBLE

Today, media is lacking professional information on the issues of energy efficiency, alternative and clean energy sources, advantages of condominiums, tariff reform. The new publications or programs do not contain deep analysis of the energy supply problems, and often can be attributed to hidden advertising of the specific equipment producers. In Ukraine, there are practically no programs or series of publications devoted to these issues that would be based on expert opinion, be regular and involve the public in permanent discussions and search for solutions.

For increase of journalists’ interest to the issues of energy security of the country, informing the representatives of local communities on potential introduction of the energy saving technologies on the regional level, USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project together with the Ukrainian Center for Educational Reforms, and with sponsorship of the largest private gas extraction company of Ukraine Burisma Holdings, hereby announce the Contest for the best published media materials on energy efficiency, alternative and clean energy sources, advantages of condominiums, tariff reform and ensuring social protection of population. The journalists from thirteen oblasts of Ukraine are invited to participate in the Contest – Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv.


1. Key objectives of the Contest are:

• Increase of awareness and understanding of energy efficiency advantages and use of clean energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emission, as well as strengthening of the country’s economy and security;
• Explanation of the proposed amendments to legislation on energy efficiency, condominiums, tariff reform and measures to ensure social protection for low-income groups of population;
• Informing the public on Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) as a mechanism to achieve energy efficiency on the municipal level; and
• Promotion of understanding importance of creation of condominiums as agents of positive changes for the municipal energy reform, with focus on advantages of the form/right of ownership (condominiums) as a key driver for energy efficiency in multi-apartment buildings.


2. Contest nominations

The Contest is conducted for the journalists from thirteen oblasts of Ukraine – Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv – in the following nominations:

• "Best material in printed and on-line media" – places one, two and three.
• "Best TV material" – places one, two and three.
• "Best radio material" – places one, two and three.
•  Grand Prix.

3. Participation in the Contest

Media materials published in the printed media or Internet, or broadcast on TV or radio during the period from November 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 are admitted to participation in the Contest.

It is prohibited for representatives of the Organizers (employees of the press clubs and the Center), National Jury of the Contest and their family members to participate in the Contest.

Participation in the Contest automatically means awareness and full consent of the participants with this Regulation.

Applications for the Contest are accepted through May 15, 2016.

4. Procedure for formation and submission of the application for participation in the Contest

Application for participation in the Contest shall contain:

• Filled out application for participation in the Contest (according to Annex to this Regulation).
• Certificate from Chief Editor confirming the date of article publication – for printed and Internet media.
• Broadcasting certificate – for radio and TV materials.
• For printed materials – in the scanned form, in jpeg format.
• Video materials – in the formats: avi, mpeg or mov on DVD disc.
• Audio materials – in the formats: wav or mp3 on CD disc.
• Materials placed on information Internet resources – in text format .doc with hyperlink to be sent by e-mail in the attached file.
• In case of lack of full package of documents indicated in item 4 of this Regulation, organizers of the Contest are entitled to withdraw a material from consideration.
• Every author may submit at least five materials for participation in the Contest.
• Materials submitted for participation in the Contest are not commented, submitted copies are not returned, no correspondence is conducted with the authors.
• Media materials are sent to the following postal address:
2B Mykilsko-slobidska Stree, Entrance 3, Office 285, Kyiv, 02002.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


5. Awards and Award Ceremony

Public announcement of the Contest winners and awarding the prizes will take place during the official Ceremony in May 2016.

Application