The meeting focused on the European Energy Award in Ukraine and the opportunities that the certification system opens up for regional and local levels of government. Sviatoslav Pavliuk, Executive Director of AEMU and Head of the National Office of EEC in Ukraine, and Vitaliy Volkov, Head of Projects and Programs at AEMU, presented an approach that allows communities to move from isolated energy-saving solutions to comprehensive data-driven energy management.
During the discussion, the parties outlined key areas for further cooperation, including:
▪️ development of a regional energy plan for the Vinnytsia region;
▪️ development and implementation of an energy management system with subsequent scaling to communities;
▪️ strengthening the capacity of the Regional Development Agency to provide professional support to communities;
▪️ using sustainable development assessment tools;
▪️ promoting the European Energy Award among local communities in the region.
An important outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the AEMU and the Vinnytsia Regional Development Agency, which lays the foundation for the practical implementation of agreements and the transition from plans to action.
For the Agency, this cooperation is another step towards strengthening the region's role in implementing energy-efficient solutions that directly affect infrastructure stability, local budget expenditures, and the quality of life of community residents.
For reference: The Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine is a national association of local governments that has been working since 2007 to develop energy efficiency, energy security, and sustainable development in communities. Today, AEMU brings together 102 municipalities from all regions of Ukraine, is a national support structure for the Covenant of Mayors, and is the National Office of the European Energy Award in Ukraine. The organization provides communities with expert, methodological, and training support, promoting the implementation of modern energy management systems and best European practices in energy resource management.
The event was held as part of the project “Certification of Municipal Energy Management in Ukraine / European Energy Award Office,” which is being implemented with financial support from Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).