Podcast EUEA.Dialogues

Today, the energy efficiency technology market in Ukraine isevolving rapidly – grant programs, investments, tariffs, and workforce training are shaping how this sector will develop after the war.In the new episode of the EUEA.Dialogues podcast,host Olena Rybak speaks with Vitaliy Poplavskiy, Head of Professional Climate Equipment at Panasonic Ukraine and a member of the EUEA Board, about the implementation of heat pumps, market models and tariffs, specialist training,experiences with grant projects, and the future prospects of Ukraine’s energy efficiency market.Topics discussed include:• The professional climate equipment market in Ukraine and its changes during the war;• Smart and well-structured support from the Japanese government to Ukraine through the transfer of technologies and professional equipment;• Average payback periods for heat pumps and the economic attractiveness of energy efficiency investments;• Training of personnel for installation, maintenance, and support of equipment amid a shortage of specialists;• The impact of market tariffs and reforms on the scaling of energy efficiency technologies;• The potential of the municipal and private sectors, with examples of successful community projects;• Equipment availability, local production, and other related aspects.

Today, Ukraine’s energy sector is being shaped amid bothrecovery and integration into the European energy market.In this podcast episode, we discuss how Ukraine isnavigating the restoration of its energy system during the war, the challenges the sector faces, and why market coupling, regulatory reforms, and investment conditions will determine the country’s long-term development.Podcast host Olena Rybak speaks with Susanne Nies, Project Lead of Green Deal Ukraїna at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, about energy system modeling, cooperation with European countries, Poland, and Germany, as well as practical aspects of working with data, infrastructure, and policymakers in current conditions.The conversation covered:• the Green Deal Ukraїna project, its objectives, and the trilateral cooperation between Ukraine, Poland, and Germany;• energy system modeling and policy development during wartime;• capacity challenges in the energy sector and the need for a new generation of professionals;• the current state of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and key restoration challenges;• cross-border electricity interconnections, import capacities, and Ukraine’s role as a future energy hub;• market coupling and integration into the European electricity market;• investment challenges and the need for risk mitigation mechanisms;• Ukraine’s future energy mix and the balance between nuclear power, renewables, and gas;• EU integration, regulatory shortcomings, and legislative priorities.

Housing reform is becoming a cornerstone of Ukraine’s post-war recovery, requiring sustainable, inclusive, and long-term solutions to ensure access to safe and affordable homes.In this episode of EUEA Dialogues, podcast host Olena Rybak, Vice-Chair of the EUEA Board and Executive Director at iC consulenten Ukraine, speaks with Jan Ruuth, Senior Program Manager and Advisor at Sida, currently seconded to the Ukraine Service at the European Commission in Brussels. Drawing on his extensive experience in investments, municipal development, and international financial institutions, the discussion focuses on shaping Ukraine’s social housing policy — a long-neglected sector that has become critical to the country’s recovery.They discussed the following:social housing models that work in Europe and elements applicable to Ukraine;why public housing remains a core pillar of modern housing systems;the EIB pilot project in Ukrainian communities and its potential impact;key policy and institutional pitfalls Ukraine should avoid;balancing affordability, sustainability, and long-term efficiency in housing reform;legislative changes already underway and existing gaps;the foundations of a resilient and inclusive housing system.

The recovery of Ukraine depends not only on large cities, but also on the ability of small communities to access international support, implement development projects, and build resilience under wartime conditions.In this episode of EUEA Dialogues, podcast host Olena Rybak, Vice-Chair of the EUEA Board and Executive Director at iC consulenten Ukraine, speaks with Yaroslav Tsvirkun, Mayor of Pereshchepyne — a town of around 21,000 residents in the Dnipropetrovsk Region, located close to the frontline. The discussion focuses on the realities of war for local communities, hosting internally displaced persons, developing long-term strategies, and seeking international support for infrastructure and social projects.They discussed the following:the main challenges faced by small communities during wartime;why international cooperation is essential for recovery and development;how municipalities address the lack of specialists and experience in securing funding;projects already implemented with donor support;the accessibility of loans and grants for small towns and existing barriers;policy changes needed to better support small communities;creating conditions for sustainable development with limited resources.

Energy efficiency standards and green financing instruments are becoming essential for Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and long-term development of the construction sector.In this episode of EUEA Dialogues, podcast host Olena Rybak, Vice-Chair of the EUEA Board, speaks with Jeff Colley — Editor and Publisher of Passive House Plus Green Building Magazine, Chairman of the Irish Heat Pump Association, and Head of the Communications Team for the SMARTER4EU project — about the future of energy-efficient construction and green mortgages in Ukraine.They discussed the following:the concept of green mortgages and their role in promoting sustainable construction;how energy-efficient buildings reduce costs and improve comfort for residents;the importance of international projects and certifications in advancing green building practices;ways Ukraine can integrate sustainable construction standards into its reconstruction efforts.

Ukraine’s effective recovery is closely linked to energy independence, the development of renewable energy sources, and strong cooperation between business, civil society, and charitable initiatives.In the third episode of EUEA Dialogues, podcast host Olena Rybak, Vice-Chair of the EUEA Board, is joined by Adrien Fouchet, Country Manager at GreenFuture Energy in Ukraine, Alina Sviderska, Country Manager at Scatec in Ukraine, and Yuri Kubrushko, Managing Partner at IMEPOWER, Co-founder of the Green Recovery Fund and the Leleka Foundation, to discuss the current state of Ukraine’s energy sector during wartime. The episode also supports the Leleka Foundation, endorsed by EUEA as part of the 15th European-Ukrainian Energy Day.They discussed the following:the current state of the renewable energy sector and its challenges during the war;the importance of supporting the Leleka Foundation and military medics;green tariff debts and their impact on business perspectives;how the lack of military risk insurance affects project development;new opportunities in the electricity market;the role of energy independence in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Investment is a key driver of Ukraine’s recovery and long-term development, making it essential to understand how to attract funding and work effectively with international financial institutions.In this episode of EUEA Dialogues, podcast host Olena Rybak, Deputy Chair of the Board of the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency and Executive Director of iC consulenten in Ukraine, talks with Yulia Shevchuk, Chief Investment Adviser at NEFCO, about investment mechanisms and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.They discussed the following:how NEFCO operates in Ukraine and the challenges it faces;the role of government in ensuring the effective implementation of reconstruction projects;ways to improve cooperation with foreign investors at the municipal level;changes in the investment project cycle over the past 10–15 years;key gaps that slow down investment processes and how to address them;how NEFCO maintains its reputation as a fast international financial institution;the growing demand for green investments and future market expectations;arguments that encourage donors to invest in Ukraine despite uncertainty.

Ukraine’s recovery today is not only about speed, but alsoabout the quality of decisions that will shape the country’s future for decades to come.In this podcast episode, we discuss how environmental damage affects the country’s future, what “green” recovery should look like, and the role international philanthropic organisations play in this process.Podcast host Olena Rybak speaks with Iryna Stavchuk, Program Coordinator at the European Climate Foundation, about international climate strategies, ECF’s operations in Ukraine, and how climate policy is being shaped even during wartime.They discussed the following:•  the European Climate Foundation work modalities and its mission; • international climate initiatives and support instruments;• ECF’s engagement in Ukraine before and during the full-scale war; • funding for green recovery and the principles of funds allocation; • support for communities, energy security, and the development of renewable energy; • the key challenges of climate solutions implementation inUkraine.

Investment is sustaining Ukraine now and will form the foundation for the country's future recovery. We all need to take this seriously, primarily by understanding how to make our projects attractive to investors and the logic behind investors’ decisions to allocate funds.   In this episode, podcast host Olena Rybak discusses investments with Oleksiy Parkhomchuk, Investment Director at Impact Fund Denmark. They discussed the following: the impact of investment projects – what it should be; grant projects – pros and cons; which areas Impact Fund Denmark chooses for investment in Ukraine and whats its strategy for the market; whether projects with municipalities are among the immediate priorities for Danish investment in Ukraine; the reasons for the decline in the quality of investment applications; the ideal investment project: what it should be. 

The podcast «EUEA.Dialogues» — about the reconstruction of Ukraine! Together with our guests and you, we explore the best solutions for energy transition, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and the development of Ukrainian cities.🎙 Host — Olena Rybak, Vice Chair of the Board of the European-Ukrainian Energy Agency (EUEA), Executive Director of iC consulenten in Ukraine.🔸Guest — Svyatoslav Pavlyuk — Executive Director of the Association of Energy-Efficient Cities of UkraineIn the first episode, we talk with Svyatoslav Pavlyuk, Executive Director of the Association of Energy-Efficient Cities of Ukraine, about how Ukrainian cities are coping with the challenges of war and what is being done for their recovery.Here are some of the topics we discuss:🔹 How are cities adapting to the conditions of war and instability?🔹 How can we ensure the resilience of energy systems and municipal services?🔹 What are the priorities in infrastructure recovery, and why is planning for the «Green Course» important?🔹 Do municipalities have the resources for the energy efficiency transition during the war?🔹 How do international funding and private investments help in the recovery?Кead the key takeaways from this episode in Ukrainian on the official EUEA website: https://euea-energyagency.org/uk/novyny-ta-podiyi/yeuea-zapuskaye-podkast-yeuea-dialogy-zustrichajte-pershyj-vypusk/🎧 Share your thoughts in the comments! How do you think Ukrainian cities should be rebuilt? Your opinion matters to us!