Supported by DTEK, the Western Donbas communities continue developing just transition programmes for their areas. A cross-regional task force made up of representatives of the Petropavlovsk, Mykolaiv and Pershotravensk communities discussed potential joint projects that would create jobs and ensure funds coming to the local budgets when the mines will be shutting down their operations. The participants of the online meeting identified the key areas where the three communities would be able to cooperate: utilisation of solid domestic waste as a fuel, alternative sources of water supply, development of the agricultural sector, enhancing the level of social services, energy efficiency and environment.
"The task force jointly identified five uniting factors that would allow us to mitigate the transformation process in the region", commented Tetiana Lesiuk, a Task Force representative from the Mykolaiv united territorial community. "We understand that in a few years time the life in our communities will change. Following the lead of all European countries, Ukraine will gradually phase out coal-fired generation and stop using steam coal. That made us start thinking about the future of our mono-profile towns and cities already today. Supported by our partner DTEK and the experts that they engaged, we managed to put together a team of key representatives from the three communities. We are jointly working on the problematic issues faced by our region and looking for alternative options to replace the coal companies."
The participants of the task force, supported by the experts from the sustainable development agency ASTAR, formulated the key factors that are pivotal to the communities' success:
- energy balance in the communities starting from the culture of green energy generation (solid household waste, energy crops, solar farms, energy cooperatives) to the culture of energy consumption;
- high-quality water supply (to households and industrial consumers)
- efficient agricultural sector (transition from feedstock production to creating added value by processing the produce)
- well-balanced approach to the provision of medical and social services (diversification of risks taking into account different sources of financing: state, regional, municipal, charity and private funds)
- competitive educational services to ensure continuous learning for any age categories with a focus on dual education (as much practical skills as possible)
"Uniting communities through joint economic projects is the way to successful development of the region. The major advantage is that the Western Donbas communities are already working together because transformation is a process that will affect all the coal regions in this country. Those who will get prepared for this process earlier will be the ones who will have the advantage. Especially as they have such a responsible business partner as DTEK and our support", said Oleh Demchuk, head of the sustainable development agency ASTAR.
All the outcomes of the meeting will be used as a basis for the subregional investment portal. This portal will be created to get investors engaged in the implementation of projects that will provide the communities with new production facilities and jobs and will change the economic focus in this region.