ESTDEV, City of Zviahel and Zhytomyr Oblast agree to build new rehabilitation centre in Ukraine

According to ESTDEV’s executive director, Andrea Kivi, early access to rehabilitation services is vital for cases of severe trauma. "Every day counts when recovering from a serious injury, which is why it is important to provide care without delay. This centre will allow patients to receive rehabilitation as close to home as possible, sparing them exhausting journeys and thereby helping them return to independent life more quickly," said Kivi. 

ESTDEV has initiated the project preparation phase and is negotiating with a potential donor to finance the construction phase. Once the design is complete and funding is confirmed, the project will move to the construction procurement stage. A key strength of the preparation so far has been close cooperation with Ukrainian partners, each with a clear and important role. The Ukrainian NGO BRAVE to ReBuild conducted a thorough assessment of local needs, involving doctors and staff from Zviahel Hospital. Based on their input, architect Danylo Shvets and his team developed a cost-effective spatial concept. Zhytomyr Oblast is providing the institutional support essential to ensuring the project progresses smoothly. 

The local government's contribution and commitment are also essential to building the rehabilitation centre. The City of Zviahel will finance and organise all necessary local works, including obtaining permits and constructing external utility networks, the foundation, parking area and fencing. After the centre opens, the city will cover all ongoing operating and staffing costs. 

"One of the reasons ESTDEV decided to move forward with the Zviahel project was the city's own strong commitment. Zviahel is not simply asking for support; the city is also investing in the project itself and taking responsibility for its successful implementation. ESTDEV wants to support partners who are themselves willing to work towards achieving the desired result," Kivi said. 

“All the people protecting us need this center. Frankly, we needed it yesterday, which is why we especially appreciate ESTDEV’s swift action. ESTDEV has been our trusted partner, and their work has always delivered excellent results,” emphasized Mykola Borovets, Mayor of Zviahel. 

The modular technology used to build the rehabilitation centre is particularly important because of its speed and reliability. As the building elements are manufactured in Estonia under controlled factory conditions, high construction quality can be ensured. In Ukraine, the completed modules will be assembled on site, saving valuable time. This approach makes it possible to avoid a lengthy construction period and open the doors of the centre much more quickly. 

In addition to construction, the project also includes broader knowledge-sharing activities and the organisation of a study visit for the medical staff of Zviahel Hospital to rehabilitation centres in Estonia. Training Zviahel Hospital staff will ensure the new centre operates effectively and sustainably once completed. 

"Rehabilitation continues to be one of the biggest challenges in Ukraine's civilian sector, and ESTDEV has been consistently contributing to this field for years. The Zviahel Rehabilitation Centre is an important next step, as it will be the first modern rehabilitation centre in Ukraine created from the ground up based on Estonian knowledge, experience and technological solutions," said Margus Gering, ESTDEV’s chief operating officer. 

He also expressed satisfaction with the progress on funding: "I am particularly pleased that we are nearing the completion of negotiations with a donor whose support would enable us to cover a large part of the project's cost. This is a strong sign of international partners' confidence both in the project and in Ukraine's long-term recovery." 

The goal is to have the rehabilitation centre completed by the summer of 2028. To ensure continuity of services, the City of Zviahel has committed to keeping the facility in public use as a rehabilitation centre for at least 20 years after it opens. 

This project is a good example of ESTDEV's broader approach in Ukraine: we are not merely restoring infrastructure, but helping create functioning, sustainable services that will improve people's quality of life for decades to come.