The Ovruch Kindergarten to Expand by Four More Classrooms, Harmet OÜ Won the Tender for the Production of Modules

Harmet OÜ, the largest manufacturer of modular buildings in Estonia, won a public tender worth €1.23 million for the expansion of the Ovruch kindergarten, to be completed as part of Estonia’s initiative to reconstruct Ukraine. The contract for the production of modules was signed by Andrea Kivi, acting CEO of the Estonian International Development Cooperation Center (ESTDEV), and Alo Tamm, CEO of Harmet OÜ today.

The Ovruch kindergarten, built with Estonian support, is set to accommodate a total of 160 children once the 4 additional classrooms are completed. The contract stipulates that Harmet has 150 calendar days to design, manufacture, transport and install the wooden modules in Ukraine. In addition to the new classrooms, multipurpose hall will be built, serving as a space for music and exercise classes during the same time period. Harmet OÜ also produced the modules used in construction of the first stage of the kindergarten.

“I am delighted that our cooperation with Harmet is continuing and that the kindergarten is expanding with the addition of four classrooms. There are many children in Ukraine who have never been able to attend kindergarten due to the war and the COVID pandemic. I know that there is a great need for more kindergarten places in the city of Ovruch, and adding 80 will help many families,” said Tarmo Needo, Head of ESTDEV’s Infrastructure Development Programme in Ukraine.

“Harmet is happy to participate in the implementation of this project which holds significant importance for both Estonia and Ukraine. Estonian wooden houses are renowned for their high quality, particularly in Scandinavian countries. In cooperation with ESTDEV and as ambassadors of Estonian wooden house manufacturers, Harmet is able to present Estonian modular construction solutions in Ukraine,” said Alo Tamm, CEO of Harmet OÜ.

The Ovruch kindergarten, completed as Estonia’s first reconstruction project in Ukraine, was opened on June 2nd, 2023. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who attended the opening, emphasized the importance of reconstruction: “We must stand for the future and safety of Ukrainian children, and the construction of a kindergarten is one way to protect them. No child should suffer from Russian aggression and fear.”

The project was initiated in May 2022, when a delegation from ESTDEV visited the Zhytomyr region to familarise themselves with war damages that the region considered vital to restore or reconstruct, one of which was the Ovruch kindergarten. Estonia also facilitates the training of Ovruch kindergarten staff and kindergarten leaders in the Zhytomyr region.

The construction of the kindergarten is the largest Estonian public-private sector collaboration so far. The project was financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the construction works were organized by ESTDEV.