Four communities in the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine—Khmelyivska, Synivska, Talalaivska, and Pryliutska—are set to receive funding for the construction of solar power stations. This initiative aims to enhance their energy independence.
The project is part of the global initiative “Energy of the Sun for Communities,” which has an estimated budget of 2.5 million euros. It includes training for communities, preparation and defense of energy projects, and the installation of solar power stations with a total capacity exceeding 4.6 MW.
The plan is to provide reliable and environmentally friendly energy to a total of 55 social facilities across various regions of Ukraine. This includes 24 schools, 22 medical institutions, four kindergartens, and five other critical facilities, such as community service centers and geriatric care homes.
To implement this ambitious set of projects, the charitable foundation “Together with Kernel” is actively seeking co-financing, collaborating with international donors, European governments, American partners, and banking institutions. This effort is ongoing.
The funding for physical construction follows extensive expert preparation. Over three months, representatives from 11 frontline communities learned to manage energy effectively through training at the Kyiv School of Public Administration named after S. Nizhynskyi (KShDU).
These communities developed energy balances from scratch, modeled the operations of water supply systems, and created Municipal Energy Plans (MEPs), transforming chaos into clear technical solutions.
Liliya Marachkanets, head of CSR at Kernel and director of the “Together with Kernel” foundation, noted that local energy generation fundamentally alters the economics of local governance.
“Energy independence is not just about security; it is about opportunity. It allows for resource savings, investments in schools and hospitals, and the ability to redirect budgets towards development,”
she stated.
The viability of the projects was assessed by a professional jury that included representatives from key international and Ukrainian institutions, such as UNDP, UNICEF, GIZ, the State Energy Efficiency Agency, the Ukraine Decarbonization Fund, and relevant energy associations.
The success of these first four communities marks only the beginning. Organizers emphasize that ideas from other participants will also receive expert support to secure funding and achieve full implementation.
The “Together with Kernel” foundation is a social initiative of the company that has invested 1.47 billion UAH in the development of 190 communities across 12 regions of Ukraine since 2013. Its mission is to empower communities through investments in people, infrastructure, and knowledge.
The Kyiv School of Public Administration named after S. Nizhynskyi (KShDU) serves as an educational platform preparing a new generation of leaders for public administration and local governance.
Additionally, starting January 30, 2026, homeowners’ associations, cooperatives, and property managers in Ukraine will be able to apply through the “Diia” app for participation in the “SvitloDIM” program, which offers assistance ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 UAH for generators, batteries, solar panels, and other alternative energy sources.
Four communities in Ukraine are set to receive funding for solar power stations, part of a global initiative aimed at enhancing energy independence. This project includes extensive training and aims to support 55 social facilities across the regions.