NGO “MAMA-86” took part in the activities of European Energy Week in Ukraine, particularly in the conference “Energy Efficiency: Experience of Ukrainian and European Cities” (April 14) and the Energy Day (April 15).

European Energy Saving Week has been carried out since 2005 and is considered one of the key measures in sustainable energy in Europe. In April 2011 Ukraine joined this event for the first time.

The conference was opened by the Head of the State Agency for energy efficiency and energy conservation Mykola Pashkevich, he noted that “Ukraine wants to follow the example of leading European countries, namely, to increase investment and achieve objectives “20/20/20” (to achieve by 2020 reduction of CO2 emissions by 20% and at the same time, the share of renewables in the energy balance by 20%). Mr. Pashkevich said that starting this year, the Government will introduce a system of public-private partnership. "We do this to conduct mutually beneficial work with businesses.

Ms. Laura Garagnani, Head of Operations at the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine said that soon the European Commission will allocate 40 million euros for the implementation of infrastructure projects in Ukraine. She noted that the program is planned to allocate to each project for the small towns of Ukraine from 50 thousand to 200 thousand euros. For the consideration projects submitted by local authorities or NGOs, in partnership, aimed at implementing of energy efficiency at the municipal infrastructure facilities, public and residential buildings, as well as initiatives related to energy efficiency audit will be accepted.

Conference participants were: Habiel Blank, EU representative in Ukraine, Astrid Munro, an expert of the World Bank, representatives of National Agency of Ukraine for the efficient use of energy resources, some EU projects and international donor programs, the Association of Energy Efficient Cities and other moderators – Volodymyr Garazd, Mayor of Dolyna city of Ivano-Frankivsk region, President of the Association of Energy Efficient Cities of Ukraine and Vyacheslav Gusev, PAUCI Foundation. Anna Yatsyuk, EU / UNDP Project presented the experience of Local Development based community “in terms of energy efficiency technologies in rural communities” and announced that soon a new call for proposals will be made.

Energy Day was held in the Kiev’ House of Teachers, during which international and Ukrainian non-governmental organizations presented their experience in implementing the research and practical developments in energy efficiency. NGO “MAMA-86” took part in the poster exhibition and meeting with students and the interested public, presenting the experience of its pilots “Ekodim”, “Ekosan” and project “Peoples ecolife” on issues of energy-preserving technologies for households. Posters “Energy efficient and environmentally friendly housing”, “Ecological sanitation – economic and safe”, “From waste to income”, “Concept of demonstration complex” and “Information training center” were presented on “MAMA-86” booth. Information materials, including: magazine of NGO “MAMA-86”, a collection of materials of public hearings “Ecological safety in terms of long-term energy development in Ukraine”, brochure “Public campaign of lobbying the priority decisions of the authorities to improve the efficiency of environmental policy”, “green” tips for consumers about energy efficiency at homes and multistory buildings, leaflets of webpage “Ekoskrynka” and others, had considerable interest and demand from visitors. Around 60 visitors – residents of Kyiv and other cities, students from Universities and other Institutes left their requests for information in “MAMA-86” reference book.

Thus the work has begun of the mobile exhibition devoted to Ecological technologies and their practical usage in households, which will work over the summer and fall of 2011 in different cities of Ukraine, where NGO MAMA-86 has its network members.

Photos of these events you can see in our photogallery