Laying the Groundwork for Lozova’s Sustainable Water Future
As the war in Ukraine continues, municipalities are under immense pressure to address immediate needs while planning for sustainable recovery. In the city of Lozova, located in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, one of the most pressing challenges is to modernise its ageing water supply and wastewater systems.
With support from a capacity building program organised by Stockholm University and Ro3kvit Urban Coalition, and through a feasibility study funded by Swedfund, the Swedish development finance institution (DFI), Lozova is now underway to develop a roadmap for sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure improvements.
The collaboration between the parties was initiated during the Rethinking Cities in Ukraine conference in Stockholm, where Ukrainian municipalities met with international experts and stakeholders to discuss strategies for rebuilding war-affected communities.
Rethinking Cities in Ukraine: a catalyst for action
The conference was the culmination of a six-month capacity building programme organised by Stockholm Business School, Stockholm University and the Ro3kvit Urban Coalition, with funding from the Swedish Institute's Public Sector Innovation Programme. The program was specially designed for decision makers in war affected municipalities near the frontline and focused on strategic urban planning for reconstruction projects. Lozova representatives presented their infrastructure challenges, which corresponds with Swedfund's mission and scope to support sustainable public sector projects.
Ragnar Lund, PhD Stockholm Business School, who initiated the Rethinking Cities in Ukraine programme, emphasised the importance of making connections:
The programme was designed to provide Ukrainian municipalities with the knowledge and partnerships they need to tackle their reconstruction challenges. The cooperation between Lozova and Swedfund is a good example of how such initiatives can lead to effective and tangible results.
Addressing critical needs
Lozova's water infrastructure is at a critical juncture. The city relies on a 33 km aqueduct from the Krasnopavlivka reservoir, which is energy-intensive and prone to breakdowns. Mayor Sergiy Zelensky stressed the urgency of the situation:
- "Our community has been severely damaged by the war and our water systems are fragile. Tens of thousands of people depend on this infrastructure. Swedfund's feasibility study is an important step towards ensuring reliable and sustainable solutions."
The study will evaluate options for modernising the water supply and wastewater systems, focusing on reducing energy consumption, lowering maintenance costs and protecting water resources. By aligning with EU standards, the study will also help Lozova to access donor funding for implementation.
Swedfund’s Role in Lozova
Swedfund's Project Accelerator facility helps municipalities prepare and plan projects that meet international funding requirements and align with EU standards. In Lozova, the initiative focuses on:
- Assessing the current state of the water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Identifying modernisation and expansion options.
- Developing a detailed roadmap and investment plan.
Sophie Taintor from Swedfund's Project Accelerator team explained the practical importance of the work:
- "The feasibility study will not only assess and prioritise the modernisation needs of Lozova's water infrastructure, but also align the project with international funding requirements. This is a crucial step in securing funding and delivering sustainable solutions that meet the needs of the community."
Working together for long-term recovery
The project is a joint effort between Lozova's local government, Swedfund and international experts. It is an example of how partnerships can address immediate challenges while creating opportunities for long-term recovery.
Mayor Sergiy Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the international support:
- "International partnerships such as the one with Swedfund are essential. They allow us to strategically address critical issues and attract further investment to ensure sustainable development."
The feasibility study for Lozova's water infrastructure highlights the importance of combining local needs with international expertise. Programmes such as Rethinking Cities in Ukraine show how municipalities can use Swedish partnerships with academia, technical experts and development finance to effectively address the challenges of reconstruction.
Yurii Kurshnir Vice Mayor of Lozova, who participated in the Rethinking Cities in Ukraine program described its impact:
- "Participation in the "Rethinking Cities in Ukraine" program for six months changed our worldview in the community's vision and gave us a lot of tools to address issues of spatial development. Participation in the program and the Stockholm Conference in April last year opened up opportunities for us to cooperate with Swedish partners on critical issues of the Lozova community. In particular, following the conference, we had an online meeting with representatives of Swedfund on water supply and sewerage, the search for new, alternative water sources. Now cooperation is taking place at the level of information exchange and conditions of joint cooperation."
While still in the midst of war, projects like this are important steps in building resilience, ensuring essential services and promoting sustainable growth for Ukraine's communities.
New round with Rethinking Cities in Ukraine
A new round of capacity building is now under way with five additional Ukrainian municipalities participating in the Rethinking Cities in Ukraine program, supported by new funding from the Swedish Institute, and offering opportunities for collaboration with the Swedfund Project Accelerator to move forward with strategic and urgent reconstruction projects.
Read more about Swedfund
Read more about Swedish Institute
Read more about the conference Rethinking Cities in Ukraine in Stockholm (Swedish)
Last updated: April 16, 2025
Source: SBS