This month Lysychansk School No 29 became energy-efficient due to the installation of two modern solid fuel boilers within the grant project implemented by NGO “Eco-Safety of Environment” and supported by the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme in Ukraine.

NGO “Healing Power” has been implementing a demonstration project “Eco-friendly practices implementation through the creation of waste treatment facilities in local school” for nine months since August 2014 to May 2015.  The project is supported by the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

On April 22, within the framework of International Forum «Environment for Ukraine» a round table organized by the EU-NGOs grant project «Capacity Development for Sustainable Public Procurement in Ukraine», established a national platform for discussion of education for sustainable development (ESD), sustainable public procurement (SPP) and other important factors of green economy development in Ukraine. Scientists, project experts, representatives of more than 40 NGOs and leading educational institutions shared their knowledge and experience, presented best practices and developed new initiatives. 
In his speech Rector of State Environmental Academy of Postgraduate Education and Management, Focal Point on ESD process in Ukraine Prof. Dr. Oleksandr Bondar emphasized on the significant meaning of education and science in addressing current environmental challenges. He quoted the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who also stressed that the new economic development depends on three pillars: innovations, science and education. 

In January 2015, Mr. Neal Walker, UN Resident Representative/UNDP Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, visited local communities in Zhytomyr region to review the progress of the GEF SGP projects.

Mr. Walker met with Mr. Oleksander Potienko, Head of Lutivka village council, GEF SGP National Steering Committee members and representatives of local community where he learned about GEF SGP project promoting energy efficiency. During the meeting, Mr. Potienko thanked UNDP and GEF SGP for supporting the project, which introduced energy efficiency practices at the community level through reconstruction and insulation of Lutivka village club. "We have a common goal to help people improve their lives and develop local infrastructure by implementing energy efficiency projects at the local level. I am impressed by your dedication and approach to the implementation of the socio-economic developments in the village. Your approach are the key to the success of this process" underlined Mr. Walker.