Internally displaced families receive accommodation in Zvyahel, Ukraine

A newly renovated building that will provide urgent housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been inaugurated in Zvyahel, Zhytomyr region in northern part of Ukraine. As part of the project, a former blood centre has been transformed into energy-efficient housing for Ukrainians affected by war.

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• Within the programme EU Support for Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco, a former blood centre in Zvyahel, in the Zhytomyr region, northern part of Ukraine, has been transformed to provide urgently needed accommodation for displaced Ukrainians.
• The inauguration of the renovated building marks the ninth completed project under the EUR 19 million programme, which aims to provide urgently needed accommodation for internally displaced persons in ten cities in western and central Ukraine.
• The reconstruction has not only provided accommodation for some 50 families affected by war, but has also helped revitalise a previously abandoned municipal property, delivering significant savings in electricity, heating and water consumption.

Approximately 2,000 IDPs, some 4 per cent of the total population of 55,000 inhabitants, are currently registered in the Zvyahel community, and the demand for accommodation has placed significant strain on local resources. The project directly addresses this challenge by providing 47 turnkey apartments for families who have relocated from the east and south of Ukraine due to active hostilities.

The grant funding of approximately EUR 2.67 million enabled comprehensive renovation of the building, including reconditioning of the façade, insulating the attic floor and roof, replacing windows and doors, modernising the heating system and installing water supply and drainage systems. The housing facility was also equipped with solar panels with a capacity of 30 kW with battery storage, significantly improving energy resilience. Additional enhancements included interior refurbishments and the provision of essential furniture and household appliances. To ensure accessibility in the building, a wheelchair lift has been installed. A bomb shelter in the building and a playground were also installed as part of the project.

The reconstruction of the facility has not only provided housing for families affected by the war but also helped revitalise an abandoned municipal property, resulting in significant energy-use savings. Annually, heat consumption is expected to decrease by up to 24%, electricity usage up to 43% and water consumption up to 58%, leading to estimated energy-cost savings of over EUR 77,500.

“Amid Russia’s armed aggression, the task to support people forced to flee their homes is of utmost importance. We are sincerely grateful to the EU for the funding provided and to the professional team at Nefco for their support. Together, in a very short time, we reconstructed a building that now provides homes for 47 families affected by war, as well as creating new, local recreational areas. The building is equipped with additional power sources, inclusive spaces and a fitness room,” explains Mykola Borovets, Mayor of Zvyahel.

“The successful completion of urgent housing in Zvyahel shows the EU’s commitment in action—delivering sustainable homes and hope for displaced Ukrainians while building stronger, greener communities”, says Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

The inauguration in Zvyahel marks the ninth completed project under the EUR 19 million EU Support for Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine programme, funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco. The aim of the programme is to provide accommodation for Ukrainian IDPs in ten cities in western and central regions of the country, including Chernivtsi, Chortkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kivertsi, Kovel, Lutsk, Rivne, Zolochiv and Zvyahel, by converting existing municipal properties into energy-efficient housing. The final project in Zolochiv is expected to be completed in the coming months.

“The Zvyahel project is a good example of how Nefco is supporting civil society by renovating facilities to provide urgent accommodation to IDPs while promoting sustainability and resilience in Ukrainian communities. By financing construction of energy-efficient and modern housing for IDPs, we are offering not only shelter but also a fresh start and hope for a better future for these families,” comments Anna Minakova, Technical Consultant at Nefco.

For further information, please contact:

Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, Nefco
ronny.nilsson@nefco.int, +358 10 618 06 42

Iryna Fedorenko, Investment Adviser, Nefco
iryna.fedorenko@nefco.int, +380 96 270 9622, +358 50 400 53 82¨

Anna Minakova, Technical Consultant, Nefco
a.minakova@nefco.org.ua, +380 50 331 5107

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