**EU and Germany Top Up Ukraine’s Energy Efficiency Fund**
The European Union (EU) and Germany have provided an additional 18 million euros ($20.7 million) to support Ukraine’s energy independence and green recovery, according to a statement from the EU Delegation to Ukraine on June 11.
This new funding brings the total amount of money allocated to Ukraine’s Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) to a significant sum. The EU provided 13 million euros ($15 million), while Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) contributed 5 million euros ($5.7 million).
**The EEF: A Key Part of Ukraine’s Green Recovery**
Established in 2019, the EEF is a crucial tool for helping Ukraine reduce its energy consumption and costs. The fund has two main programs: VidnovyDIM, which assists families in repairing war-damaged homes; and EnergoDIM, which co-funds grants to install new insulation, windows, and heating systems.
The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Maternova, highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating that they help “families cover the costs of repairing walls, roofs, and windows so that they can return home safely and with dignity.”
**Impact So Far**
Since 2021, the EEF has grown from 90 projects to over 1,500, in cooperation with homeowners’ associations. This has helped Ukraine save 300 kilowatts per hour in energy consumption – equivalent to the city of Chernivtsi’s annual energy usage.
Over 217,000 families have benefited from the fund, with half of these covered by the VidnovyDIM program. The new funding will improve the efficiency of grants and increase their size, enabling more people to benefit from Ukraine’s environmentally sustainable “Build Back Better” principle.
**Next Steps**
Ukraine’s Development of Communities and Territories First Deputy Minister, Alena Shkrum, emphasized that the EEF will now be able to resume requests, which were paused due to the high number of applications. With this funding, the grant limit is expected to increase to more than 200,000 euros.
The new investment will help Ukraine’s housing stock, which has been heavily damaged or destroyed in recent conflicts. Much of the country’s heating system is from the Soviet era and inefficient, making it difficult for residents to control their homes’ temperatures during winter months.
As the war continues, the importance of energy efficiency cannot be overstated. The EEF has modernized homes and schools, reducing costs and retaining warmth during blackouts – a crucial consideration given Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid.
**A Step Towards Energy Independence**
The EU and Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s energy independence is significant, especially in the face of ongoing conflict. By investing in initiatives like the EEF, these countries demonstrate their dedication to helping Ukraine reduce its reliance on external energy sources and become more self-sufficient.
As Ukraine continues to rebuild and recover from the devastation of war, investments in energy efficiency and green recovery will be crucial for its long-term sustainability and growth.
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