USAID Municipal Energy Reform Project in Ukraine (USAID Project) and UKRGASBANK signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 19. Through joint efforts, the partners will promote implementation of the best practices of energy saving, transparency of the municipal energy reform process in Ukraine, and will help the cities attract investments in the energy efficiency and alternative energy projects. Andrii Nesterenko, USAID Senior Energy and Climate Change Specialist, expressed confidence that UKRGASBANK will be a reliable partner in attracting investment in the clean energy projects. "We already have joint experience in implementing successful energy efficiency residential sector projects through the "warm loans" program which we support since 2015. Now, time is right to make our efforts somewhat larger, both in terms of project size and scope. For example: heat supply, water supply, waste management and ecology," – said Mr. Nesterenko.

Diana Korsakaite, Chief of Party at USAID Project, added: "Our experts are already working with the partner cities on development of documentation required to obtain funding for the clean energy projects. These are investment catalogues, feasibility studies and business plans. This will help the municipalities save money for other, more important for the communities initiatives". Ms. Korsakaite also added that, within the framework of cooperation, USAID Project will provide strong support in conducting an information campaign on promotion of the energy efficient technologies and use of the alternative energy sources in the partner cities.