Green Platform as a Financing Tool for Communities – Alona Korohod on Opportunities for Municipalities
On December 16 in Kyiv, during the presentation of results from the "Municipal Energy Planning for Energy Transition" project by DiXi Group (supported by the European Climate Foundation), Alona Korohod, Green Policy Expert at the Green Transition Office, showcased the Green Platform's opportunities for Ukrainian communities.
Speaking at the panel discussion "Where to Find and How to Select Financing Opportunities for Energy Efficiency Measures," she emphasized the core challenge the Green Platform was designed to address.
"The Green Platform is designed to eliminate one of communities' key barriers—the lack of systematic access to financing information. As Ukraine's sole national green financing instrument, it consolidates programs offering loans, grants, guarantees, and blended mechanisms for energy efficiency projects, renewable energy, and infrastructure modernization," the expert explained.
A comprehensive guide for communities has been published on the Green Transition Office website under the "Research" section. The document provides step-by-step instructions on how communities can leverage the Green Platform to identify financing sources.
The platform offers communities access to an extensive ecosystem of financial instruments—over 20 active grant programs for the municipal or public sector, condominiums and housing cooperatives, approximately 20 preferential lending programs, and specialized financing mechanisms. Grant opportunities include programs under major EU instruments (Connecting Europe Facility, LIFE, Horizon, Interreg), thematic programs in the Danube region, as well as Ukrainian sources—programs from the Energy Efficiency Fund (Enerhodim and Restore HOME), and initiatives from national and regional recovery funds.
Lending programs are primarily implemented through Ukrainian banks using resources from the EBRD, EIB, KfW, OeEB, and other IFIs. They focus on modernizing district heating systems, building energy efficiency, upgrading public transport, and developing local renewable generation.
Alona Korohod outlined a clear workflow for municipalities using the platform—from identifying needs and formulating project concepts to finding relevant programs through filters (economic sector, financing type, intended purpose, region) and preparing applications.
"Communities receive not merely a scattered list of opportunities, but a logically structured map of instruments. This significantly increases the chances not only of finding a green financing source but also of making it an integrated part of the community's long-term recovery and development strategy," the expert concluded.
Among practical recommendations for communities: build a portfolio of several project ideas rather than seeking one program "for one project," regularly update technical documentation, check the platform weekly, and establish communication with donors in advance.
Additionally, as part of the event, experts from the "Municipal Energy Planning for Energy Transition" project presented the Financing Programs Handbook for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects. This tool will also help communities select the most suitable projects to finance local energy transitions.
The creation of the Financing Programs Handbook was the DiXi Group analytical center's response to community needs, with 90% of surveyed communities indicating that lack of financing was a barrier to implementing energy efficiency projects.
Link to the Green Platform: https://greenplatform.madeinukraine.gov.ua/
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