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Ukraine is facing a huge task right now: rebuilding its cities after the devastation of war. It’s not just about putting things back the way they were; it’s a chance to plan for the future in a way that’s sustainable and modern.

That’s where SUN4Ukraine (Sustainable Urban Net Zero Network for Ukraine) comes in. This four-year project, backed by the European Union through its Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities mission and funded by Horizon Europe, is all about helping Ukrainian cities rebuild in a green way.

The main goal is to help these cities weave climate-friendly ideas into their reconstruction plans. SUN4Ukraine will give twelve selected cities access to expert knowledge, the EU’s experience, and tailored support to bring in modern solutions for transport, energy, and how the city is run.

Twelve Cities Leading the Way to a Greener Future

Twelve cities have been chosen to be part of this project and will be key in Ukraine’s rebuilding and transformation: Chernigov, Chernivtsi, Dnipro, Kalush, Kharkiv, Konotop, Kyiv, Mykolayiv, Novovolynsk, Pervomaisk, Vinnytsia, and Zvyaghel.

Each of these cities has its own unique challenges, but they all share the same aim: to rebuild in a smart and environmentally sound way. 

With SUN4Ukraine’s help, they’ll be able to include climate strategies in their rebuilding plans and get access to international experts, training programs, and financial support.

EU Ideas Inspiring Ukraine’s Rebirth

The European Union’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission is a big plan to make 100 European cities climate-neutral by 2030. Besides EU cities, 12 cities from countries linked to Horizon Europe are also involved, showing it’s a project with international reach.

Being part of this mission has lots of perks, like getting individual advice and technical help, access to more funding, the chance to try out innovative projects, and support at both the national and EU levels. Plus, it boosts a city’s reputation and makes it more attractive for investment.

SUN4Ukraine is taking these successful ideas and adapting them to what’s happening in Ukraine. It’s helping to make climate-friendly strategies a core part of the rebuilding process, which is crucial for Ukraine’s future.

Putting the Plan into Action

The first step is to share the key lessons learned from the EU Climate Mission with the Ukrainian cities. These “Flagship Municipalities” – the twelve cities in SUN4Ukraine – will get full support in managing their climate policies, creating plans to cut emissions, finding money for green changes, and getting local people involved.

It’s also really important to adjust the strategy to Ukraine’s specific situation, considering the challenges caused by the war. Rebuilding cities needs to address urgent infrastructure needs while also having a long-term plan to move towards a low-carbon economy.

Once the planning is done, the Ukrainian cities will start putting their strategies into practice. A big part of this will be working with European cities that are already part of the EU Climate Mission. This way, the Ukrainian cities can learn from the experiences of those who are successfully reducing emissions.

 

The cities will be paired up based on the challenges they share, making it easier to find the best solutions. There will also be workshops to help them set realistic goals for cutting emissions in different parts of their local economy, like transport, construction, and energy.

Looking Ahead: The Ukrainian Cities Climate Hub

SUN4Ukraine isn’t just about the twelve chosen cities. All Ukrainian cities that are interested can join the Ukrainian Cities Climate Hub – a place to share knowledge, work together, and exchange best practices.

This Hub will become a support center for cities that want to bring in green innovations and effective climate strategies. It will also be a place for experts to meet, for consultations, and for developing joint projects that can get funding from the EU and other international sources.

SUN4Ukraine is a groundbreaking project that’s not only helping Ukrainian cities rebuild but also enabling them to create modern, sustainable infrastructure. By bringing together expertise, international support, and the active involvement of citizens, Ukrainian cities have a real chance to become examples of green and smart development in Eastern Europe.

Even with the huge challenges of rebuilding the country, this project will speed up how quickly cities can modernise in a sustainable way.

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