05.12.2024 | People
Rivne is a city in western Ukraine with a population of approximately 244,000 inhabitants and serves as an important regional cultural centre. Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its role as a hub for internally displaced persons has strengthened. As of 2024, about 19,500 IDPs reside in Rivne, of whom 5,100 are children.
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- With EUR 1.56 million in grant funding, three day-care centres in the city of Rivne have undergone energy-efficient modernisation and significant reconstruction as part of the Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons programme, financed by the European Union and managed by Nefco.
- These improvements support the city’s efforts to upgrade outdated and energy-inefficient municipal infrastructure to achieve climate neutrality in the long term, while simultaneously enhancing the well-being of children in the city.
Rivne has been cooperating with Nefco before the full-scale invasion began in 2022, when local authorities committed to upgrading worn-out and energy-inefficient municipal buildings. The most recent completed project, inaugurated in the city in September 2024, involved the energy-efficient modernisation and major reconstruction of educational institutions in Rivne.
As part of the Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons programme, financed by the European Union and managed by Nefco, the EU allocated grant funding EUR 1.56 million to upgrade three day-care centres. Collectively, these institutions—the educational and rehabilitation centre Special Child, the day-care centre Pahinets Centre, and the compensatory type No. 35 day-care centre—serve over 400 children, including those with special needs and disabilities and those who are internally displaced. As part of energy efficiency measures, the institutions received solar collectors for hot water production and individual heating substations.
“This type of grant-funded project, supported by international donors such as the EU, significantly impacts our community, demonstrating that our city truly cares about its youth. We are committed to taking further steps to ensure our children feel comfortable and safe. This initiative is also important as we work to meet the goals of the NetZeroCities programme and reduce CO2 emissions. We aspire to be pioneers in this field, lead by example, and share our experience of implementing such projects with other cities,” said Viktor Shakyrzian, Secretary of the Rivne City Council and Acting Mayor.
Here, staff of the renovated day-care centres and parents share their perspectives on the modernised facilities and their social impact.
Liudmyla Zaika, Director of the Pahinets Centre
I have been working as the head of this children’s institution since April 2024. Before the renovation, the building’s façade used to frighten the children; the walls were shabby, and tiles were falling off. After the insulation and modernisation, the building now looks bright, European, and modern. It is also much cosier and more comfortable indoors, and pupils feel at home here. Importantly, the building is now well-adapted for children with special educational needs, with a ramp to allow easy access without any obstacles.
Viktoriia, mother of Nikita, a pupil at the Pahinets Centre
My son and I relocated to Rivne from the Kharkiv region. He has been attending this day-care centre for almost a year. Before Pahinets, he attended three other day-care centres, and this is the first place he truly feels he belongs.
The transformation from before the project to today is remarkable. Now, children arrive at a beautiful, bright facility where they can spend the day comfortably. Both the building and surrounding area are welcoming.
Viktoriia, mother of Polina, a pupil at the Pahinets Centre
My daughter has been attending this day-care centre for five years now and is happy with everything. The staff is excellent, and they have a very good approach tailored to each child.
I am extremely satisfied with the changes made as part of the project. The building’s appearance has improved, and now my child comes here with pride, happily pointing out that this is her day-care centre. Indoor temperatures have also increased, which many parents have noticed.
Olha Petukh, Director of the Special Child Centre
I was appointed as head of this institution in 2005. Since then, we have been consistently working to improve education, developmental support, and rehabilitation for children with special needs. As a multidisciplinary institution, we have achieved a lot over this period. We serve children with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual and locomotor disabilities, and hyperactive children, implementing various educational formats. We offer eight different curricula customised to each child’s abilities, ensuring a separate package of services for each one. This is an innovative and progressive approach in Ukraine, as our work covers a wide range of needs.
Thanks to Nefco and European Union grant funding, the day-care centre building has now been insulated in a technologically sound way. Previously, it was too cold for the children, especially during the off-season, when no heating is available. Now, the building is much warmer and more comfortable, with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Additionally, a ramp was installed for children in wheelchairs who require mobility assistance, which is a significant step towards barrier-free access.
On behalf of parents and teachers, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who took part in this project. Now the children are thrilled and often say, ‘Our school is so beautiful.’
Olha Anikina, teacher at the Special Child Centre
I have been working in this institution since it opened in 1997. A lot of changes have taken place over these twenty-seven years. When I first arrived, the institution was a grey box with empty corridors and rooms. Now, we have an incredible modern educational facility where the children are excited to spend their time. The day-care centre is warm and cosy, both inside and outside. Remarkable conditions have been created here for the development of children with special needs to assist in their education and developmental support. The recent transformation of our façade, made possible with the support of Nefco, has made parents even happier to bring their children here.
This year, when our 10th grade students graduated, they expressed regret that they had not attended the school as it is now and noted that our first graders, who are just beginning their studies here, are lucky. It is a pleasure to come to such a bright, cheerful, green, and beautiful school, as it creates such an elevated mood.
We are grateful to our partners for support. We always need them, since the city and parents are our partners as well. Now we have established partnerships with organisations such as Nefco.
Nataliia, mother of two children at the Special Child Centre, head of the parent committee
I have two children studying here: one attends preschool, while the other is in the third grade.
I would like to express my gratitude, along with the entire parent committee, to the EU, Nefco, and the Rivne City Council for their support. We now have a wheelchair ramp, which was previously missing. All the windows and entrance doors have been replaced, making the institution warmer and more comfortable. The basement, which is used as a bomb shelter, has been renovated. The rehabilitation department has been overhauled to accommodate children with musculoskeletal disorders for hydrotherapy sessions. In addition, I would like to thank the director of the institution and the entire teaching staff for creating such conditions for our children and for making them feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.
Yelyzaveta Koval, Acting Director of the nursery day-care centre No. 35
I assumed the duties of acting director this autumn, having previously worked at the institution as a senior nurse.
As part of the project, the façade was insulated, the roof was renovated, and a ramp was constructed in accordance with all building standards. Sporting equipment—a climbing wall, an interactive floor, as well as treadmills and exercise bicycles for children—was purchased and installed. All of this is highly beneficial for our pupils, as there are children with complex intellectual needs and include internally displaced ones. Therefore, such projects are very important to us, and the parents of the children are very grateful for our cooperation with Nefco. We hope that this partnership will continue in the future.
Alina, mother of Maksym, child at the nursery day-care centre No. 35
My three-year-old son has been attending the day-care centre for two years, and we have witnessed renovation work being actively carried out. My son pointed out that the day-care centre has become much brighter, which is very important for children, as they are drawn to lively colours. It has also become warmer, cosier, and more comfortable indoors.
Additionally, my son mentioned that he was introduced to the new sporting equipment. These new devices are very interesting and useful for children, as they stimulate physical activity. As a mother, my child’s psychological and emotional well-being is of the utmost importance to me. Now, pupils are happy to go to the day-care centre, and it is wonderful.
“The European Union takes great pride in the successful implementation of the energy-efficiency modernisation project in Rivne, which has greatly enhanced the educational environment for children, including internally displaced persons and those with disabilities. This isn’t just about buildings; it’s about hope and resilience. In these challenging times, we stand with Ukraine, proving that even small steps can spark a brighter future,” said Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
“Nefco is very satisfied with the results of the implemented project. Thanks to the improvements, we managed to reduce energy consumption by half in the three facilities,” commented Alexey Dumik, Technical Adviser at Nefco, in connection to the inauguration. “The city has a strong team and extensive experience in implementing Nefco energy-efficiency projects, and we look forward to embarking on future phases of our cooperation.”
The cooperation between Nefco and the city of Rivne continues. Nefco has also provided grant funding for energy-efficiency projects through the Norway Ukraine Energy Efficiency Initiative (NUEE), funded by Norway, before the full-scale invasion started. Now additional support for modernisation of two more day-care centres has been provided through NUEE. Street lighting will also be upgraded on both the main and secondary streets in Rivne by replacing lamps with energy-efficient alternatives. Additionally, there are plans to install solar photovoltaic systems on the roofs of three buildings at Rivne’s Central City Hospital, ensuring a reliable electricity supply.
For further information, please contact:
Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, Nefco
ronny.nilsson@nefco.int, +358 10 618 06 42
Alexey Dumik, Technical Adviser, Nefco
a.dumik@nefco.org.ua, +380 50 352 3383
Tetiana Vekha, Project Administrator, Nefco
T.Vekha@nefco.org.ua, +380 67 519 80 34