Kyiv, 12 May 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and state savings bank Oschadbank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that opens new opportunities for developing energy resilience projects, modernizing critical infrastructure, and supporting the sustainable recovery of Ukrainian communities.

This is the first memorandum between UNDP and Oschadbank. Its aim is to combine the bank’s financial instruments with UNDP’s technical expertise to deliver recovery projects.

The cooperation will contribute to the further modernization of district heating systems, improved energy efficiency in public buildings, and the deployment of decentralized and renewable energy solutions in municipalities across Ukraine.

A previously signed agreement between Oschadbank and the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the Ukraine Investment Framework provides additional financing for municipal projects in district heating and energy efficiency. Now, under the memorandum signed with Oschadbank, UNDP will provide technical support for the preparation and implementation of these projects.

Beyond supporting specific initiatives, the Memorandum also establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in sustainable recovery. This includes the development of new financial and guarantee instruments for energy and energy efficiency projects, the mobilization of additional financing for green recovery initiatives, and strengthened international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and support for the sustainable development of communities and the municipal sector.

By combining Oschadbank’s financing capacity with UNDP’s expertise, the partnership creates a comprehensive approach that will help communities move more efficiently from project planning to implementation.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that Ukraine’s recovery requires solutions that are both technically sound and financially accessible. 

“The challenge today is not only access to finance, but the ability to translate it into viable, investment-ready projects,” Lootsma said. “This partnership connects project preparation with financing and opens up new financial instruments, helping communities move more quickly from concept to implementation.”

Yurii Katsion, Chairman of the Board of Oschadbank JSC, said that supporting Ukraine’s recovery through financing critical infrastructure and energy efficiency projects is one of the bank’s key priorities. 

“Oschadbank is a market leader in municipal financing,” Katsion said. “Through our cooperation with UNDP, we will be able to expand the range of financial and guarantee instruments available to communities. We understand the scale of current challenges and, through cooperation with international partners such as UNDP, we aim to strengthen our support and enhance the capacity of communities to implement large-scale recovery projects.”

Media inquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org