The EU in cooperation with KfW continues to support the reconstruction of municipal water infrastructure in Chernivtsi

On 3 October 2024, the KfW, the Chernivtsi City Council and the Municipal Enterprise “Chernivtsivodokanal” signed Grant and Project Implementing Agreement for the “Municipal Infrastructure Development, Phase II” project supported by the European Union and aimed at improvement of existing water management infrastructure to strengthen Chernivtsi for the benefit of its citizens and as a host community for internally displaced Ukrainians.

The signing ceremony took place in Chernivtsi with the participation of the European Union. As a part of the EU`s Ukraine Facility and the Contribution Agreement between the European Union and KfW Bank signed at Berlin conference in June 2024, Chernivtsi will receive additional EU grant funds in the amount of 19.75 million EUR for the modernization of municipal water infrastructure.

“Today, thanks to the support of the European Union, we signed an important document with our German partner, KfW, which will allow us to expand the project aimed at solving urgent needs by co-financing investments in the water supply, sewage and wastewater treatment systems in the city of Chernivtsi. Considering the strategic importance of the project within the framework of the Municipal Climate Protection Program for the city of Chernivtsi and the region as a whole, the significant impact of the Project on improving the protection of the environment of the cross-border region, I am sure that our joint efforts will lead to the successful implementation of investment projects in the field of municipal water supply and sewage. The support of the European Union, the German Government, and KfW in overcoming the challenges we currently face is extremely important for the sustainable development of the community. We sincerely appreciate and thank to our partners for their support of the city of Chernivtsi”, – said Chernivtsi City Mayor Roman Klichuk.

“I join the words of gratitude of the Chernivtsi city mayor to our partners for their support and much-needed additional grant funding, and I want to point out the importance of the Project both for the Chernivtsi city territorial community and for the municipal enterprise “Chernivtsivodokanal”. Thanks to the implemented measures of the Project, the efficiency of the activity of ME “Chernivtsivodokanal” and the quality of providing services to consumers will be improved; the share of worn and emergency water supply and sewage networks has been reduced; the number of accidents in water supply and sewage networks has decreased; the energy efficiency of the enterprise has increased”, – noted Andrii Kolesnyk, general director of ME “Chernivtsivodokanal”.

“The EU is delighted that citizens of Chernivtsi, including internally displaced, will benefit from funding under the Ukraine Investment Framework, which will mobilise up to EUR 40 billion of public and private investment for recovery and reconstruction. Our support that we are implementing jointly with KfW and Chernivtsi City Council will focus on the modernisation of water supply and wastewater system in line with the EU environmental standards and will contribute in the reduction of water losses, energy consumption and water pollution”, – said Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation-Head of Unit, EU Delegation to Ukraine.

“We are glad to be among the first successful applicants for investment grants from the EU’s Ukraine Investment Framework and that the EU has agreed to increase its support to Chernivtsi to a remarkable EUR 37.7 million via KfW. This is a boost for the overall programme, which has made significant progress over the last year or so. Construction works on the main water transmission pipe have started and several key construction tenders have been launched – and there is more to follow in the coming months. We invite experienced construction companies to tap the potential of the Ukrainian market and to support the future economic and social development in Chernivtsi by participating.”, – said Jens Hagen, Head of Division for Urban and Regional Development in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia at KfW.

The current commitment is part of an overall program for water supply and wastewater treatment in the city of Chernivtsi with a total volume of now almost EUR 95 million financed by the German Government and the EU. Since 2016, the EU co-funding for this important investment project will total EUR 37.7 million. The project is aimed at bringing the water supply, sewage and treatment systems in Chernivtsi closer to EU standards, decrease of technical and non-technical water losses and decrease of energy consumption for pumping water and support to the monitoring of pollution of the transboundary waters.

As a result, improved water supply and sewage infrastructure will be available for the over 250.000 residents and internally displaced persons residing in the territory of the Chernivtsi city territorial community.

For additional information, please contact Oksana Melenko, head of the Communications Department of the Division of Communications, External Relations and Electronic Governance of the Chernivtsi City Council at press2@rada.cv.ua or at +38 050 527 89 70