The aggressor country continues to shell Ukrainian territory. In early September 2023, researchers at KSE documented USD 151.2 billion in losses to Ukraine's infrastructure caused by Russian strikes. In early summer, this amount was USD 700 million less, indicating that the challenges of restoration are becoming increasingly relevant each day. Even now, while the war is still going on, some communities have started to recover, but it is very important that this process is transparent, accountable and open to society.
The scale of destruction and society's demand for restoration
According to the calculations of the same project, Russia Will Pay, the housing stock is experiencing the most significant destruction. Currently, 147,800 private houses, 19,100 apartment buildings and 0.35 thousand dormitories have been damaged because of the fighting. In addition, more than 25,000 km of roads, 426 enterprises, 1,223 medical institutions, and 3,500 educational institutions were damaged. These large-scale figures are challenging to comprehend because they conceal numerous tragic stories of lost homes, jobs, and usual lives. However, hope for future restoration gives strength to millions of Ukrainians.
The factors that most unite Ukrainians are recovery of the country (49%), winning (65%), and helping each other (40%). This data is provided by Rating Sociological Group based on the results of a survey conducted on Independence Day (August 2023).
According to a sociological survey conducted among the general population and Ukrainian business representatives regarding the needs and expectations for the future restoration of Ukraine, initiated by Transparency International Ukraine, 60% of both businesses and the population agree that the restoration of Ukraine will take more than 10 years. The most pressing issue is deemed to be the restoration of housing: both the population (59%) and businesses (63%) are certain that it is necessary to rebuild houses now, rather than after the victory.
Today, most of the affected cities will require at least minimal recovery to restore normal infrastructure functioning, and some have already commenced the recovery process.
Recovery options
Given that the country's economy has sustained a significant blow and continues to operate under wartime conditions, international partners are providing assistance to help it stay afloat. These include large organizations, individual governments, or even volunteer associations.
In June 2023, the European Commission proposed a new mechanism aimed at contributing to the recovery, restoration, and modernization of Ukraine. It provides for financial assistance in the amount of up to EUR 50 billion for 2024-2027. The mechanism also encompasses audit protocols for provided assistance and stipulates requirements for transparency and accountability in the utilization of allocated resources.
Individual states are also planning to participate in the recovery processes, indicating their willingness to take responsibility for the restoration of specific regions and localities. For example, Greece aims to rebuild Mariupol, the United States and Turkey are focusing on Kharkiv, the Baltic states are assisting the Zhytomyr region, Denmark is supporting Mykolaiiv city and region, the Czech Republic is aiding the Dnipropetrovsk region, and Austria is involved in the recovery efforts in Zaporizhzhia. Some of the joint projects have already started, while others are under discussion and will be implemented after the end of hostilities.
In addition to governments, individual international organizations also provide support. Usually, their initiatives are focused on solving urgent humanitarian issues, but some are also working on long-term projects. For instance, in early October, Ruslan Kravchenko, the Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, announced that the region would receive an additional €1 million from the American non-profit organization Global Empowerment Mission to install windows in houses damaged due to hostilities. Earlier, the same organization has already financed the replacement of 7 thousand windows in 430 buildings in Hostomel, Irpin, Sofiivska Borshchahivka, settlements of the Vyshhorod district, etc.
Government initiatives also play a significant role in reconstruction processes. At the beginning of the year, an initiative Rebuild Ukraine was announced by United24 fundraising platform, which aims to assist in repairing 18 apartment buildings in settlements of the Kyiv region affected by hostilities (Irpin, Borodianka, Hostomel, Buzova, and Myla). It was planned that by the end of 2023, more than 4,000 residents will be able to return to their homes.
Another government initiative, We Build Ukraine, combines the efforts of international partners and focuses on the restoration of housing, energy facilities, social, transport, and critical infrastructure, as well as humanitarian mine clearance of territories and support for the private sector.
How is the country being rebuilt now?
Many restoration processes are already being implemented now. Their activity and scale are correlated with the distance from the active military operations zone, and consequently, the risk of new destruction. For instance, in Trostianets, which suffered significant damage in the first months of hostilities, discussions as of the end of August 2023 indicate plans to restore 50-60% of the damaged facilities. The local administration was looking for help literally everywhere. According to the city mayor Yurii Bova, more than 30 international organizations, including the Red Cross, the Luxembourg Red Cross, the Czech organization People in Need, and others, have provided assistance in the restoration.
In Mykolaiiv, supported by the Danish government, projects totaling more than EUR 5 million have already been implemented. Among other things, the city received about 20 systems for water purification, pumps, polyethylene pipes for restoring water supply, and other equipment for water supply and heating of houses. The city administration is currently collaborating with the Danish side to formulate a comprehensive plan for the post-war reconstruction of the city.
Estonia helps Zhytomyr region. There, in June 2023, the first infrastructure facility was already opened in Ovruch – a modular kindergarten. According to local authorities, this marks the first restoration project in the country funded by a foreign state. The first stage of the project is already serving 80 children. In the future, the project will be expanded, and the kindergarten will accommodate up to 160 children. The cost of the constructed portion is EUR 3 million, with the total construction amounting to EUR 5 million. In addition, Zhytomyr received over 40 buses, which are now operating on the city's routes, as a donation from Estonia.
Despite ongoing shelling, Zaporizhzhia is actively involved in restoration efforts. It is important to mention that a significant role in the processes is played by the City Restoration Council, an association of public organizations, independent experts, scientists, and active citizens involved in restoration issues. The association positions itself as an advisory and consulting platform for fostering cooperation between society, business, and government, and for attracting experts and donors. Now the City Restoration Council is working on a comprehensive plan for the restoration of the city.
A large-scale restoration project has been implemented in the village of Posad-Pokrovske in the Kherson region. Instead of restoring each destroyed object separately, they decided to develop a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of the settlement. The architectural unity of Posad-Pokrovske was developed on a volunteer basis by the Archimatika team of architects. Now the first 5 houses are already under construction.
Restoring life is more than just construction
In addition to addressing the fundamental housing issues for residents and restoring energy, heat, and water supply, another significant aspect remains crucial in terms of restoration. Many cities and villages will no longer be the same as they were before, requiring new planning as well as the high-quality preservation of the memory of wartime events.
The process of creating memorial complexes should not be rushed, yet it should not be indefinitely postponed, deeming it irrelevant. “In the village of Yahidne in Chernihiv region, a contest is currently underway for the best memorial project. This memorial will be created in the school premises where the invaders held local residents hostage. The contest is initiated by State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.
Construction methods also remain crucial, as a rapid increase in volumes during restoration can lead to negative consequences, such as environmental pollution with the remains of building materials. To address these issues, a pilot project titled Circular Construction in Practice is being implemented in the Kharkiv region.
Architects are proposing a solution that will simultaneously restore housing for residents while preventing the remnants of construction and repairs from entering landfills. Now everyone can provide the remains of building materials at two sites – Zero Waste Yard in Kharkiv and Circular Сonstruction Yard in Ruska Lozova (Derhachi Community). In the future, all collected materials will be sorted and utilized in construction.
The fundamental renewal of the rebuilt cities should be their inclusivity. They have been advocating for the issue of space accessibility in Ukraine for a long time, and now it is becoming a critical concern. Dostupno.UA NGO encourages representatives of communities to contact them for expert advice and together create a barrier-free space during the implementation of restoration projects.
The recovery process is more than just a return to a quiet life. For many communities, it is also an opportunity to attract new businesses, create centers of cultural life, and, in general, organize a comfortable space for all residents. With opportunities for reconstruction available, it is crucial to take the initiative, develop proposals, and involve the public. Together with international partners, Ukrainians will be able to rebuild every city and village of our country.
This publication was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Support to Anti-Corruption Champion Institutions in Ukraine (SACCI). The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Transparency International Ukraine and does not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.