11.06.2025 | News
A formerly dormitory for students of the state institution of vocational-technical education Halytskyi Vocational Agricultural College in Zolochiv, in the Lviv region, has been transformed into a modern residential block of flats for internally displaced Ukrainians. The reconstruction was carried out under the ‘EU Support for Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine’ action, funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco. At the inauguration event on 11 June 2025, the facility officially welcomed its first residents — 30 families, and in total 85 people, who have been forced to flee their homes in the east and south of Ukraine due to ongoing hostilities.
- A former dormitory building in Zolochiv, in Western Ukraine, has been transformed into a modern residential facility for families displaced by the war under the ‘EU Support for Urgent Housing Needs for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine’ action, funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco.
- The inauguration marks the completion of the final project under this EUR 19 million programme, which has provided energy-efficient housing for displaced Ukrainians in ten cities across Western and Central Ukraine.
- With a total investment of EUR 2.75 million, the renovated dormitory in Zolochiv now contains 49 flats capable of accommodating up to 170 IDPs.
“We are honoured to have such partners as the EU and Nefco. With their support, we have been able to implement this important initiative for the community. We are sincerely grateful for their assistance in the project’s implementation. To all those who were forced to leave their homes because of the war, we want to say: you are not alone. The Zolochiv community is a space of support, security, and humanity. We are here for you,” Ihor Hrynkiv, Mayor of Zolochiv.
The reconstructed dormitory, which has been empty since the mid-90’s, now contains 49 furnished flats with fully equipped kitchens, household appliances, bedroom accessories and other essential items. In total, the renovated block of flats can now accommodate up to 170 IDPs.
Extensive renovation was required to convert the building into sustainable housing for IDPs. With a total investment of EUR 2.75 million, the refurbishment included repair of the roofs, external walls and drainage systems; replacement of windows and doors; installation of new water supply and sewerage pipelines; upgrades to external and internal power networks; replacement of the heating system and installation of an individual heating substation; internal repair works; interior finishes of basement walls and floors; and landscaping.
Sustainable technology solutions, such as photovoltaic solar panels and heat pumps have been installed. The block of flats has also been connected to a local wastewater treatment plant, reducing the environmental footprint of the building and enhancing local sustainability. The energy-efficient upgrades are expected to cut CO2 emissions by more than 400 tonnes annually compared to a new building constructed according to current national norms and standards.
The Zolochiv building represents the final completed project under the EUR 19 million programme, which has provided housing for IDPs in nine Ukrainian cities: Chernivtsi, Chortkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kivertsi, Kovel, Lutsk, Zolochiv and Zviahel, through the renovation of existing municipal property into urgently needed accommodation. In addition, day-care centres have been renovated in Rivne, providing better learning environments for about 430 children, and a renovated local medical centre in Chernivtsi is providing improved medical treatment for up to 310 patients per day.
“With this final completed building in Zolochiv, the EU reaffirms its steadfast support to war-affected Ukrainians,” says Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “This action has not only delivered critical housing for the most vulnerable people in Ukraine but also strengthened local energy independence and demonstrated the power of international cooperation in humanitarian crisis responses.”
“The modernisation of the Zolochiv dormitory marks the successful completion of the impactful housing programme, which has provided safe, dignified and energy-efficient homes for over 1,200 displaced Ukrainians, as well as improved services to patients in Chernivtsi and day-care children in Rivne, including disabled and internally displaced children,” comments Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, at Nefco. “This milestone reflects Nefco’s unwavering commitment to building back Ukraine greener and better.”
This action is funded by the European Union and managed by Nefco. It is part of wider efforts to rebuild Ukraine greener and better using sustainable construction materials, applying energy- and resource-saving measures and reducing waste from construction and demolition. In addition, Nefco manages five more programmes funded by the EU dedicated to providing housing for IDPs and aiding the recovery of critical infrastructure to strengthen the resilience and capacity of Ukrainian communities to accommodate internally displaced people from the regions most affected by the war.
For further information, please contact:
Ronny Nilsson, Senior Adviser, Nefco
ronny.nilsson@nefco.int, +358 10 618 06 42
Anna Minakova, Technical Consultant, Nefco
a.minakova@nefco.org.ua, +380 50 331 5107
Tetiana Vehka, Project Administrator, Nefco
T.Vekha@nefco.org.ua, +380675198034
About the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP)
The Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) is a mechanism aimed at mobilising additional funding to finance capital-intensive infrastructure projects in EU partner countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in sectors such as transport, energy, environment and social development. The NIP also supports the private sector, mainly through investment grants and risk capital operations targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. The NIP strives to pool grant resources from the EU budget and EU Member States and use them to leverage loans from European Financial Institutions as well as contributions from the ENP partner countries themselves. In this way, the EU backs its neighbours’ priorities and supports them in carrying out key investments and boosting economic development.
Photo: Ukrainian IDP family who have received an apartment in the renovated building in Zolochiv