Two Estonian-funded construction projects opened this week in Ukraine

The opening of these two social infrastructure facilities confirms that Estonia not only supports Ukraine politically and militarily, but also makes a very practical contribution to improving the living conditions of Ukrainians suffering from aggression.

"With its nearly four-year-long aggression against Ukraine, Russia is trying to gain territory and break the will of the Ukrainian people to fight and resist. Every day, they face systematic aerial terror against infrastructure and the civilian population aimed at completely destroying the country. Every reconstruction project improves the opportunities for Ukrainians to face the horrors of war and maintain the hope that is essential for success," said Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna. 

Energy-efficient apartment building for 100 internally displaced persons

At 2,700 m², the 36-unit apartment building for IDPs in Ovruch is one of the largest buildings the Estonian government has ever constructed outside its home territory. The building will house nearly 100 people who have lost their homes after being evacuated from eastern and southern Ukraine to the Zhytomyr Region.

The building took two years to complete and cost two million euros. The budget covered the building’s full-scale reconstruction, kitchen and bathroom furniture for the apartments, landscaping of the surrounding area, construction of access roads, and the renovation of an existing bomb shelter. Eurocon Ukraine, a subsidiary of the Estonian construction group Nordecon, carried out the works.

Under project agreement, the city of Ovruch is obligated to maintain this building as a social housing facility in municipal ownership for at least 20 years.

“There are over three million internally displaced people in Ukraine, whose lives have been irreversibly changed by the war. By constructing social housing in Ovruch, Estonia is contributing to the international effort to alleviate the housing crisis for internally displaced people and provide war refugees with the conditions to take root in new communities, contribute to local employment and the economy,” said Margus Gering, Head of the Europe and Ukraine Reconstruction at ESTDEV.

Ovruch apartment building for IDPs. Photo: Maksim Fedyshyn.

Bomb shelter for 70 people

A modern, multi-purpose shelter was also opened today with Estonian funding for Sunny House, an emergency centre for at-risk children in the Zhytomyr Region. The centre provides temporary accommodation and care for up to 50 children who have been left without parental care due to war-related trauma, domestic violence, neglect at home or parental alcoholism.

Before the new bomb shelter was built, the children were forced to shelter in an old potato cellar during air raids. The new shelter has much better amenities, including a toilet, a shower, sleeping areas, functioning ventilation, and a play and study area, and can accommodate up to 70 people if necessary.

The final budget for the bomb shelter construction was 511,000 euros, and the works were carried out by the Ukrainian construction company, Alexander & I, which has also partnered with ESTDEV to build family-style small group homes in Ukraine.

“Since February 2022, Ukrainian children have had to grow up in constant fear and uncertainty, where air raids and taking shelter are not an exception, but an everyday reality. It is important for Estonia to help restore children’s basic sense of security, so that they can look to the sky without fear and know that in case of danger, the shelter offers them a safe and supportive environment. The well-being and security of Ukrainian children is an investment in the future of the entire country,” said Margus Gering.

"Estonia was the first to help rebuild the Zhytomyr region, and today's event is further proof that our friendship is measured by concrete actions and lives saved," said Vitalii Bunechko, head of the Zhytomyr region's military administration.

Currently, only 15% of bomb shelters in Ukraine meet modern safety standards. This project marks an important step in strengthening the protection of civilians during the ongoing war and supports reconstruction efforts across the country.

Rebuilding Ukraine remains Estonia's highest priority in development cooperation. The implementation of social infrastructure projects enables Ukraine to accelerate its recovery and create the conditions necessary for successful European integration.

Representatives of Estonia and Ukraine at the opening of the bomb shelter for Zhytomyr's emergency centre for at-risk children. Photo: Maksim Fedyshyn.

The opening of a bomb shelter for an emergency centre for at-risk children in Zhytomyr and an apartment building for IDPs in Ovruch