The project supports Ukraine’s green reconstruction by developing and testing sustainable solutions for managing construction debris in cities of the Kyiv region. It addresses the LIFE-2024-PLP call on environmental infrastructures, focusing on safe, circular approaches to debris removal and reuse. Starting with an assessment of practices in Ukraine and similar contexts, the consortium – Ukrainian and European partners – will design tailored methodologies for specific waste streams, including asbestos. Urban mapping and pilots will identify both common and region-specific challenges, ensuring replicability across regions. Regenerative hubs and pilot sites will showcase circular economy models, linking debris management with new business opportunities. Capacity building is central, with workshops, training, and study visits equipping municipal staff, authorities, and stakeholders to apply and sustain solutions. Cooperation with Ukrainian cities, ministries, and parliamentary bodies secures broad support and uptake. Expected impacts include improved safety, reduced environmental risks, and stronger local capacities, contributing to sustainable urban development under the “build back better” principle.

The LIFE Debris2Resource: Green Recovery Ukraine (LIFE D2R-GreenUA) project supports Ukraine’s reconstruction by creating safe, circular solutions for managing construction debris in war-affected cities. By combining Ukrainian and European expertise, the project develops replicable methods that turn waste into resources while reducing environmental risks.

Main objectives:
1. Develop and pilot a replicable debris management methodology (RDMM) in three Kyiv region cities – Irpin, Borodyanka, and Hostomel – focusing on safe removal, sorting, and reuse of construction waste.
2. Design a circular comprehensive business model (CCBM) that transforms debris into usable materials, generating new economic opportunities and supporting local green industries.
3. Address hazardous waste streams, with special attention to asbestos, ensuring compliance with international environmental and health standards.
4. Strengthen institutional and community capacity through workshops, training, and policy engagement, equipping municipal staff, national authorities, and stakeholders to adopt and sustain the solutions.
5. Promote replication and policy integration by aligning with Ukrainian ministries, international partners (e.g., UNDP, JICA), and disseminating results through a final national conference and strategy for scaling across Ukraine.

By embedding circular economy principles into Ukraine’s recovery, the project not only addresses urgent debris management challenges but also lays the foundation for resilient, sustainable urban development.

By the completion of the project, the following key results are expected:
1. Enhanced visibility – The project achieves broad recognition among government agencies, municipalities, international organizations, and industry partners, ensuring stakeholders are fully informed about its goals, progress, and outcomes.
2. Strengthened stakeholder engagement – A strong network of collaborators is established through joint events and dialogue platforms, leading to long-term partnerships and cooperative initiatives in debris and construction waste management.
3. Effective knowledge dissemination – Targeted communication and training activities provide municipal staff, local communities, and construction companies with practical tools and knowledge to adopt circular debris management practices.
4. Replication of best practices – Project methodologies are successfully replicated in other regions, inspiring new initiatives and demonstrating the scalability of the solutions developed.
5. Sustainable collaboration platforms – Durable mechanisms for knowledge exchange and cooperation among stakeholders remain in place beyond the project’s lifetime, supporting continuous improvement in sustainable urban recovery.