Seminar for HOAs and Clean Energy Centers
In late March, Kyiv hosted a two-day training seminar that was attended by over 60 representatives of Home Owner Associations (HOAs) and Clean Energy Resource Centers from 12 Ukrainian cities. All these centers were established with support of the USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine (USAID Project). Vira Illiash, Director of Communications and Government Relations of the USAID Project, said at the opening of the seminar: "Resource Centers are first of all people! Bright personalities, concerned citizens, responsible owners, talented organizers, people who understand their role in the society and have chosen an active and honest position – to be responsible for their own comfort and well-being. We appreciate what you are doing in your cities and we are prepared to further promote your activities. We believe that this will allow us together with you to change the attitude of Ukrainians to their homes and to make them more conscientious and responsible."
The participants have once again demonstrated that their work is important for community development in Ukraine. Representatives of the Resource Centers shared their experience of successfully establishing condominiums and the responsible management of common property in the USAID partner cities. In their turn, the Project experts gave a presentation about four "clean" energy demonstration projects that can be implemented in multi-apartment buildings.
The participants also considered one of the most pressing issues for many condominium initiative groups – how to draw up the condominium charter in accordance with new legislation. Detailed information from the Project and lively discussion among the participants formed a supplement to the presented sample charter. All proposals will be considered by the Project in the preparation of the document final version.
Finally, the participants discussed their activities on the Internet and in social networks, shared their experience of disseminating relevant information and attracting new citizens to the creation of condominiums in their regions.
