RESTORED INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DIGNIFIED LIVING
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Projectfacts.ProjectnameREFAUK: Підтримка відновлення України
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Projectfacts.ProjectdurationMay 2022 Projectfacts.to January 2025
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Projectfacts.ProjectfundingSwiss Solidarity
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Projectfacts.Projectworkingareasfields
Within the «Repair Facilitation Ukraine» (REFAUK) project, Helvetas combined direct recovery support for affected households and communities with efforts to strengthen local recovery systems. While targeted repairs help thousands of families regain safe living conditions, the project also enhances the capacity of municipalities, local contractors, and civil society organisations to manage reconstruction more effectively.
This integrated approach links immediate recovery with long-term development, ensuring that every repaired home also contributes to a more resilient local system.
The REFAUK project was implemented by Helvetas in 2022–2025 as part of Switzerland’s support for Ukraine, funded by Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The project was carried out by a consortium of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and the NGO «DESPRO».
Impact in Numbers
46
систем водопостачання та водовідведення відновлено
85
організацій працювали над реалізацією проєкту в громадах
33
багатоквартирних будинків відремонтовано
1130
людей отримали опалювальні матеріали у підготовці до зими
2 871
людина отримала допомогу матеріалами або роботами через Repaire Hub
138
пунктів обігріву та укриттів у закладах освіти були оснащені матеріалами та генераторами
19 000+
людей щороку відвідували облаштовані пункти обігріву в межах заходів підготовки до зими
492 262
людей відчули покращення умов життя завдяки відновленню систем енергопостачання, водопостачання та водовідведення
Restoring Housing and Social Infrastructure
Within REFAUK, Helvetas supported light and medium repairs to private houses, apartment buildings, and social facilities — including schools, kindergartens, and outpatient clinics. The work goes beyond walls and roofs, restoring access to water, heat, electricity, as well as education and healthcare services.
A particular focus was on restoring access to drinking water through repairs to water supply and wastewater systems. Rehabilitating these networks enabled tens of thousands of people to return home and regain basic comfort in daily life.
Helvetas also provided grants to 85 local organisations for repairing housing, public spaces, and infrastructure. This support created safe places for internally displaced persons (IDPs), equipped shelters and warming points, and allowed communities to respond quickly to urgent needs.
The project also piloted «circular construction» — the reuse of reclaimed building materials.
Helvetas awarded grants to civil society organisations to implement these eco-projects and supported research on circular practices in Ukraine.
Localisation: Helvetas’ Global Best Practices for the Civil Society Sector
A key component of REFAUK was supporting local initiatives. Together with partners, Helvetas developed Methodological Recommendations for civil society organisations to help them objectively assess communities’ recovery needs.
This methodology, now used by partners across regions, ensures that reconstruction decisions are data-driven, inclusive, and aligned with national recovery frameworks.
Repair Hubs and Mobile Response
Through REFAUK, Helvetas established and continues to support a Repair Hub in Kharkiv, where volunteers can access tools, materials, and practical guidance for urgent repairs to shell-damaged homes and public facilities.
A rapid-repair mobile team also operates, deploying immediately after strikes to quickly seal damage and protect buildings from further destruction.
