24.02.2026 | People
For many Ukrainians, 24 February is a day that divided life into “before” and “after”. For Nefco’s Ukrainian experts working with the country’s recovery, it remains both a reminder of profound loss and a source of determination to keep communities functioning during wartime. Their work demonstrates how commitment, integrity and partnership translate into real results, even under extraordinary conditions.
Across Nefco’s work in Ukraine, local expertise is central in shaping, delivering and safeguarding green recovery efforts. Ukrainian experts in Nefco headquarters in Helsinki and in the Representative Office in Kyiv help ensure that support reaches the communities Nefco works with in the country.
Against this backdrop, three Ukrainian experts at Nefco describe how local knowledge, donor funding and committed municipal clients together turn solidarity into responsible and lasting impact.
Staying present on the ground
Tetiana Lytvyn is an Investment Specialist and Head of Nefco’s Representative Office in Ukraine. Working directly on the ground, her role is to ensure that Nefco’s green recovery projects continue despite the challenges of wartime conditions.
“24 February is the day my life split into “before” and “after”. Since then, it has been a constant reminder of loss, resilience, and responsibility, and of what is at stake for Ukraine every single day. It gives my work urgency and purpose as I stay present and deliver despite missile attacks, sleepless nights, power and heating outages, and the uncertainty of planning for even tomorrow.”
“This work signals something deeper: belief in Ukraine’s better and greener future.”
Tetiana takes pride in turning donor solidarity into tangible results:
“Together with our donors and local municipalities we have repaired critical infrastructure and supported housing for internally displaced persons. This work signals something deeper: belief in Ukraine’s better and greener future, which gives people confidence to stay and rebuild and hold on to normal life under extraordinary conditions. I am proud to be part of it and grateful to our donors for their sustained support.”
Safeguarding trust and integrity
Yevhenii Zhuravskyi, Principal Compliance Officer, sees resilience reflected in those who keep project moving forward every day:
“The true faces of resilience are our Ukrainian colleagues and municipal clients who continue to deliver results on the ground despite uncertainty.”
He emphasises that financing recovery projects is only part of the story. What matters equally is how they are delivered:
“I am proud that Nefco and our donors have made it possible not only to finance recovery projects, but also to ensure they are delivered with integrity and accountability. This helps ensuring that support reaches communities responsibly and strengthens trust at a time when trust matters most.”
“Recovery is not just about rebuilding infrastructure. It is about preserving integrity, trust, professionalism and dignity, even in the most challenging times.”
Hope, for him, comes from the resilience, positive mindset and quiet determination of Ukrainians, including his own family:
“People continue to work, plan and care for their communities. Recovery is not just about rebuilding infrastructure. It is about preserving integrity, trust, professionalism and dignity, even in the most challenging times.”
Driving programme delivery and long-term impact
Yuliia Shevchuk, Senior Programme Manager, reflects on the personal and national impact of the full-scale invasion of her home country:
“24 February has become a historic milestone that changed my life, just as it did for millions of Ukrainians.”
She explains that this awareness shapes every decision she makes and strengthens her commitment to supporting recovery, even in a landscape marked by immense challenges.
In her role, she highlights the importance of collaboration:
“New opportunities continue to emerge despite the devastation. Together with our donors and Ukrainian municipalities, we have completed around 30 projects that directly support Ukraine’s recovery during wartime.”
This combination of empathy and renewed possibility, Yuliia says, makes her even more committed and optimistic about the impact Nefco can help create.
“Together with donors and municipalities, we have completed around 30 projects that directly support Ukraine’s recovery during wartime.”
Read more about our work in Ukraine
- How we work in Ukraine
- Programme page: Green Recovery for Ukraine
- Some of our latest news on Ukraine: