Ukraine: internship “City2City” for 5 representatives of the city-signatories of the Covenant of Mayors, Zhytomyr, 25-27/06/2019

From 25 to 27 June 2019, in Zhytomyr, there was a 3-days internship “City2City” for 5 representatives of the city-signatories of the Covenant of Mayors: Dnipro, Shostka, Olexandria, Energodar and Chernomorsk, which were chosen on a competitive basis.

During the thematic meetings, the energy policy of the city of Zhytomyr and the main problems of its implementation, the energy management system at the municipal level and many other issues within the framework of the implementation of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan  were discussed with representatives of the structural departments of the municipality, as well as utilities and private enterprises.

City2City participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the city’s energy policy and energy management system. The economic and social profile of the city was represented by Nikolai Kostritsa, director of the economic development department. In his presentation, he paid special attention to the Zhytomyr 2030 Integrated Development Concept adopted by the city. He said that the purpose of this document is to ensure the sustainable development of the city in the long term. In particular, 6 priority development areas have been identified for the city, including: “Effective city”: the development of a competitive economy; “Innovative city”: the development of intellectual capital; “Comfortable city”: modern infrastructure for living, business people and visitors to the city; “Active City”: creating an environment for self-realization and leisure; Green City: respecting the principles of sustainable development; “Inclusive City”: equal conditions of access to social benefits, development of cooperation, responsible management and security.

The energy policy in the context of the development and implementation of the SEAP was presented by Boris Pakhalyuk, Director of the City Development Agency. The main discussion revolved around the structure of energy management and energy monitoring systems. So, Tatyana Zyatykova, the energy manager of the city, presented the participants with the experience of Zhytomyr and discussed with them practical issues of energy monitoring at the level of budget buildings and public utilities, organizing a system of motivation for the participants of the energy monitoring process and how to consolidate the energy policy of the city with all interested parties. How to organize a Sustainable Energy Week or Energy Days in the city, how to attract the main target groups, which events are the most attended.