On 30 July, the Green Economy Hub was opened in Nizhyn – a new space where residents, local authorities, businesses and academia can work together around a shared goal: to make the community more energy-resilient and economically stronger.

The Nizhyn community, like hundreds of others across Ukraine, is facing the consequences of a full-scale invasion. These challenges are particularly acute in the energy sector. Outdated infrastructure, low energy efficiency in municipal buildings and a high dependence on centralised energy sources leave towns vulnerable to supply disruptions and rising costs. At the same time, Nizhyn has a clear vision of how to move towards a green transition – but it lacked the resources, technical expertise, and a platform to carry out systematic work to address this issue.

“The green economy is not just about solar panels. It is a new culture of decision-making, responsibility for the future, the efficient use of resources and the whole community working together,” emphasise officials at Nizhyn City Council. The community already has 11 solar power stations in operation, half of which were installed thanks to grant funding, and the rest through an energy-service contract. They supply electricity to schools, the town hospital and other municipal facilities, and this year alone, this model has saved US$62,000 in local budget funds.

 This practical experience is the foundation of the Green Economy Hub – a space housed within the Town Hall. It is a place where local government officials, entrepreneurs, academics, representatives of community initiatives and educational institutions can learn, seek advice, develop joint projects and share practical solutions in the fields of energy efficiency and the green economy.

The Hub’s work is based on specific steps: the project team carried out a comprehensive assessment of three municipal buildings to identify where and how energy is being wasted, and to develop tailored plans to improve resource efficiency for each of them.

The project also brought together a newly established cross-sectoral working group comprising representatives of the city council, municipal utilities, businesses, educational institutions and civil society. This group is currently developing the “Roadmap for the Development of the Green Economy Hub for 2026–2030.” It will define the Hub's long-term priorities and clarify the roles of the stakeholders involved. . As well as disseminating knowledge, this will help to forge a sustainable partnership centred on the theme of energy independence – a partnership that will continue to operate even after the project has ended.

The Hub was established by the NGO "Misto N" at the initiative of the Nizhyn City Council under the City Experiment Fund (CEF), financed by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and implemented by UNDP.