From wastewater treatment to mobile medical units: IMPACT.Zhytomyr 2.0 generated high-impact reconstruction projects in Ukraine

Through the IMPACT.Zhytomyr programme, the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), Civitta Estonia and the University of Tartu have provided extensive training to local governments of the Zhytomyr Region in project management, applying for and using international grants, and understanding the opportunities associated with European Union integration.

IMPACT.Zhytomyr 2.0 is a continuation of the first phase of the programme. It focused on practical project development. Civitta Estonia experts guided the selected municipalities and their teams in project development and strategic planning to ensure comprehensive, fundable projects for submission to EU funds or other international support mechanisms.

ESTDEV's team with Ukrainian partners. Foto: Civitta Ukraine.

"At the beginning of the programme, only 30% of participants had previous experience in implementing project activities, and these were not always successful. Analytical thinking, understanding the logic of change and knowledge of donor requirements are essential for a high-quality application. These are the skills that the participants developed through IMPACT.Zhytomyr and IMPACT.Zhytomyr 2.0. We taught them to analyse problems, build a logic of change and create partnerships," said Yaroslav Zhydyk, associate partner at Civitta Ukraine.

"We are very glad that we were able to support and participate in the birth of new ideas and projects. Local people know the development needs of their regions best, and if they know how to turn their ideas into feasible projects, impactful solutions will result. We have seen this repeatedly within the IMPACT.Zhytomyr project framework," said Reesi Lepa, associate partner at Civitta Estonia.

The programme, which began in June, culminated in International Donor Day. All participating municipalities had the opportunity to present their projects and meet potential donors and partners. The 14 projects presented at the closing event included, for example, the modernisation of wastewater treatment plants in Irshansk, mobile medical units with mammography services in the Zhytomyr Region, and the construction of a children's hobby education centre, a pediatric centre, and a secure video surveillance system in Berdychiv.

As a result of the jury's vote, the winner was the mobile medical units project that offered local communities equal access to healthcare. The winners received a symbolic "ticket to Tallinn" for a knowledge exchange trip to Estonia.

Impact.Zhytomyr 2.0 winners team. Photo: Civitta Ukraine.

Several leading international partners, including European Union institutions, Nordic and Baltic development agencies, several thematic funds, and representatives from the private sector attended Donor Day.

"The goal of IMPACT.Zhytomyr 2.0 was to strengthen the capacity of local governments, support the preparation of projects that meet European Union standards and expand the international partnership network that will help Ukraine accelerate its recovery and convergence with the European Union," said Margus Gering, ESTDEV’s head of Development and Cooperation for Ukraine.

"Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Estonia became the first among our international partners to respond to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to partner with the Ukrainian regions in reconstruction initiatives. In cooperation with ESTDEV, we have already implemented several important regional reconstruction projects in education, health care, refugee support, and community development. Even more initiatives are underway or planned for the future. We are confident that together we can do even more to strengthen our regions and improve the well-being of people," said Vitaliy Bunechko, head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration.

“Estonia has been supporting Ukraine continuously in its efforts to win this war but also to win the peace. We help to recover Ukraine not only with cement and mortar but with strengthening the resilience of its people through sharing knowledge and developing the expertise of local government officials,” said Mariin Ratnik, Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.