RECOVERY OF HOUSING, WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS, AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Helvetas applies a localization approach to help war-affected communities recover, rebuild, and grow. Through the «Sylna Hromada»  initiative, we support people to stay in their hometowns, repair homes and infrastructure, and revive local economies. The project operates in Kharkiv and Kyiv regions – areas heavily affected by war yet full of resilience and potential.

  • Project Name
    Sylna Hromada
  • Project Phase
    January 2025 to January 2026
  • Funding
    Swiss Solidarity
  • Thematic focus
    Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion

Impact in Numbers

20

 grants for CSOs for the implementation of recovery projects 

20

trainings will be held for local CSOs focused on building organizational capacity

50000

people will gain improved access to water supply and sanitation systems

200

households will receive support through the repair of 10 damaged apartment buildings 

500

residents of multi-apartment building will receive support in preparing their housing for the winter season

6000

people affected by the shelling of energy infrastructure will gain access to 10 established heating points and shelters

Strengthening Local Recovery Systems

With a dedicated presence in Kharkiv, Helvetas operates a Repair Hub that supports municipalities and local volunteers in restoring community infrastructure and housing. The Rapid Response Team coordinates on-site works to stabilise damaged buildings – sealing openings, repairing roofs, and preventing further structural losses that could hinder local recovery.

Under the «Sylna Hromada» project, 20 local organisations received targeted grants to implement light and medium-scale repairs of residential buildings and critical public infrastructure. These interventions are carried out using local labour and materials, stimulating the regional economy while improving living conditions. In several cases, facilities were also adapted to serve as community spaces or temporary housing, ensuring that residents can stay, work, and contribute to rebuilding their towns.

This is Raisa Oleksiivna, a retiree from the Kharkiv region. She is back home tending her garden, making preserves, and looking after the local cats.
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Last year her street came under rocket fire. A neighbouring house burned down, and Ms Raisa’s home was badly damaged: shrapnel tore the roof and blew out the windows and doors.
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Thanks to the «Sylna Hromada» project, Ms Raisa won’t face winter in the cold. The house now has new windows and doors, and the roof has been repaired.
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Helvetas is also restoring 11 water-supply and wastewater systems in communities across Kharkiv and Kyiv regions. In partnership with local authorities, we identify priority sites for urgent repair and train municipal utility staff to operate and maintain the upgraded networks. We pilot and scale context-specific recovery models: at each location we assess needs and deploy the most effective solution.

For example, in Makariv (Kyiv region) we installed a solar power station that keeps the water system running for up to four hours during blackouts—serving a community of about 10,000 people. After the pilot proved successful, this approach was replicated in other war-affected communities.

Preparing for Winter

Helvetas is supporting energy-resilient recovery in war-affected areas by restoring 10 multi-apartment buildings through light and medium repairs. Roofs, façades, and windows are being renewed to improve insulation and energy efficiency, helping over 200 families stay in their own homes and reducing the pressure on local housing systems. 

At the same time, Helvetas enables municipalities to operate 10 community heating hubs, ensuring continuity of essential services during power or heating disruptions. Designed and managed locally, these centres can host more than 6,000 residents, serving both as emergency infrastructure and as a model for community-based resilience.