U-LEAD with Europe will provide a local subsidy to the Krupets, Hannopil and Berezdiv municipalities to improve their energy security by facilitating the cultivation of energy crops.
“We launched this project on 1 March 2023. It provides for the creation of parent willow nurseries, training professionals for managing such facilities, developing a municipal security programme and purchasing equipment. This is a unique project that is introduced in Ukraine at the municipal level for the first time ever,” said Dmytro Vasylenko, Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Khmelnytskyi oblast.
Parent plantations of energy crops will be established with the preparation of land and planting seedlings based on soil analysis. Municipal representatives will also be trained in basic plantation care.
Furthermore, experts will analyse the territory of 3 municipalities to determine the best lands for further planting of willow. Municipalities will receive assistance in developing energy security programmes and guidelines with economic calculations for further improvement of energy security in the coming years.
Municipal facilities in 3 municipalities will receive basic equipment for processing energy crops, which will contribute to the energy independence of the municipalities.
“The project will be implemented by the Khmelnytskyi Energy Cluster NGO, which has a number of energy projects in its portfolio. It is important to extend this practice to other municipalities because, in the conditions of Russian aggression, it is vital to be energy-independent during the constant attacks on energy infrastructure,” said Dmytro Vasylenko.
We remind you that a series of educational and advisory events on energy security in municipalities launched.