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Ukrainian municipalities to lead energy efficiency drive in buildings sector
On 18 February 2026, Covenant of Mayors – East initiative (CoM East) and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine held an online event to discuss state policy and municipal obligations in the building sector. The event brought together more than 200 energy managers and local officials to discuss the practical implementation of European energy management standards.
As part of its EU integration process, Ukraine has committed to harmonising its legislation with EU directives. New regulations, set to be implemented by 2027, will require all public buildings, including those owned by municipalities, to meet mandatory annual energy reduction targets. This shifts energy management from a recommended practice to a strategic requirement for local authorities.
“The European Commission has praised our progress in aligning our legal framework,” said Dmytro Petrunin, Head of the Energy Efficiency Department at the Ministry. “However, real progress in building certification and municipal energy planning remains uneven. This is where the line is drawn between formal alignment and actual integration with the EU.”
To support these efforts, the government has launched the National Database of Building Energy Performance. Since early 2025, over 6,000 users have joined the platform to track the technical and energy characteristics of buildings. This data will be crucial for securing international investment and designing reconstruction strategies for communities affected by the war.
The event also highlighted the ‘SvitloDim’ support programme, which provides financial assistance of up to €6,600 (300,000 UAH) per object for energy efficiency measures in multi-apartment buildings. Currently active in Kyiv and the surrounding region, the programme has already approved 256 applications totalling approximately €1.25 million (56.9 million UAH).
This cooperation highlights the role of Ukrainian municipalities as co-creators of national policy, ensuring that new energy standards are achievable within local budget and staffing capacities.
The recording of the webinar i Ukrainian is available below