DECENT HOUSING TO PRESERVE HUMAN CAPITAL

Following consultations with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine and local authorities, Helvetas identified the need for a nexus approach to sustainable recovery, combining immediate support for affected populations with investment in resilient infrastructure. 

In response to this crisis, the Swiss construction company Divario AG, in partnership with Helvetas and with funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), launched the «Horizon Homes: Sustainable Modular Housing in Ukraine» project. It aims to deliver 330 modular wooden homes to residents of the Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions who have lost their homes due to the war. The initiative helps restore safe and dignified living conditions for the population affected by the war, supporting their recovery and strengthening their resilience.

Public-Private Partnership for Ukraine’s Recovery  

The Horizon Homes project contributes to Ukraine’s recovery through a public-private partnership model, translating Swiss expertise into a scalable approach for sustainable modular housing production.   

By combining Swiss standards with Divario AG’s production facility in Vinnytsia region, it strengthens local value chains, creates jobs, and stimulates regional economic activity.  

In partnership with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Helvetas supports the integration of this model into broader recovery efforts, enabling its replication and scale across regions. By linking on-the-ground implementation with policy dialogue and system-level solutions, the approach turns pilot initiatives into sustainable models for community-level recovery. 

This approach also delivers a strong social impact. It ensures that infrastructure solutions are combined with the social dimension of recovery, addressing both the economic and basic needs of communities. 

Economic Resilience and Local Production 

The project links housing recovery with economic growth. Divario AG’s production facility engages Ukrainian material suppliers and contractors, strengthening local value chains and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. 

The provision of housing helps preserve human capital and sustain local labour markets. Additionally, financial grants for personalizing living spaces stimulate local demand for goods and services, reinforcing the overall economic resilience of communities. 

Supporting the Green Recovery 

In line with the Green Transition, these modular homes feature high-performance thermal insulation and are constructed from FSC/PEFC-certified materials linked to reforestation programs. This ensures a lower carbon footprint and high energy efficiency, setting a standard for sustainable reconstruction.

Implementation and Governance Model  

Helvetas work closely with the Government of Ukraine to advance national housing reforms by providing analytical insights, international experience, and expert support. Within the Horizon Homes framework, Helvetascombines operational efficiency with transparency and accountability.

Driving Social Impact and Inclusion 

The project addresses immediate housing needs while contributing to longer-term social resilience. By restoring access to dignified living conditions, it enables displaced and affected populations to re-engage in local economies and markets. At the same time, it supports more stable and inclusive communities – an essential condition for sustainable recovery at scale.