Podcast EUEA.Dialogues

From Chornobyl to reconstruction: Greenpeace in Ukraine

Today, Ukraine’s recovery is closely connected to energy security, community resilience, and the country’s choice of its future energy pathway. In this episode of the EUEA.Dialogues podcast, we discuss how Greenpeace is working in Ukraine during the war — from monitoring nuclear risks around Chornobyl and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to supporting greenreconstruction projects, renewable energy development, and local communities across the country. Podcast host Olena Rybak speaks with Andree Böhling, Project Lead “Green Recovery Ukraine” and Energy Expert at Greenpeace, about Greenpeace’s activities in Ukraine, the challenges of working during wartime, the development of renewable energy, and the risks that may shape the country’s reconstruction in the years ahead. The conversation covered: • How Greenpeace combines environmental activism, analytical expertise, and participation in policy development; • Why Ukraine became one of Greenpeace’s key focus areas after Chornobyl and the full-scale invasion; • Nuclear risks around Chornobyl and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; • Green reconstruction and renewable energy solutions for Ukrainian communities; • Solar energy projects supporting hospitals and critical infrastructure during the energy crisis; • The pilot project in Trostianets and fossil-free heating solutions for residential buildings; • The challenges of working in Ukraine during wartime, including security, logistics, and investment perceptions; • Biodiversity protection and the environmental impact of Russian aggression; • Greenpeace’s position on the future development of nuclear energy in Ukraine; • The role of communities, municipalities, and international cooperation in Ukraine’s future recovery.

How is the energy efficiency market changing during the war?

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.

Green Deal for Ukraine: the next chapter of Ukraine's energy system

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.

Rebuilding a Home: Social Housing in Post-War Ukraine

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.

Voices of Recovery

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.