Two Ukrainian communities in western Ternopil region inaugurate upgraded school and service centre financed by EU
Two Ukrainian communities in the western region of Ternopil inaugurated upgraded infrastructure financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) as Ukraine prepares for another winter under Russian attacks on its energy system. A renovated school in Borshchiv and a reconstructed administrative service centre in Trybukhivtsi opened today following the EIB-financed works, bringing improvements to thousands of local residents.
In Borshchiv, Gymnasium No. 3 is warmer and more energy-efficient for its 522 students and staff as a result of the €511,000 renovation. The upgrades are projected nearly to halve the school’s energy consumption and save the community around €21,000 a year in energy costs.
In Trybukhivtsi, the €420,000 reconstruction has turned a cramped village council building dating from 1939 into a modern, fully accessible public service centre. Around 8,000 residents, including internally displaced people, can now access administrative services, social support and civil registration in one place.
“Despite Russia’s ongoing war and attacks on civilian infrastructure, communities in Ternopil region are improving schools and public services,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “We remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s recovery through investments that strengthen communities and enhance people’s daily lives.”
The school received energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation of the roof, attic, facade and foundations, and an upgraded heating system with an individual substation. The works also included refurbished interiors, new paving and lightning protection.
The administrative centre is fully insulated and equipped with new water, sewage, electrical, heating and ventilation systems. An expanded entrance, a redesigned layout, a second emergency exit and a vertical lifting platform have made the building more accessible and increased its capacity to serve residents. The upgraded centre now has 14 additional workstations for staff, further strengthening its capacity to provide services to the local community. The centre brings pension, labour and social protection services, as well as civil registration, together in one location.
“Ukraine’s recovery is about improving people’s lives and giving communities what they need for the future,” said Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine Stefan Schleuning. “For children in Borshchiv, a warmer and more energy-efficient school means a better place to learn through the winter. In Trybukhivtsi, residents can obtain a range of government services in one modern and accessible centre. EU support is helping turn recovery into practical improvements in people’s everyday lives.”
The school renovation was carried out by the Borshchiv City Council under the EIB-financed “Ukraine Public Buildings Energy Efficiency”, UPBEE, project.
The service-centre reconstruction in Trybukhivtsi was financed under the EIB's “Ukraine Early Recovery Programme” – one of three recovery initiatives with €740 million of EIB financing.
“Strengthening communities is a key part of Ukraine’s resilience and recovery. Projects like these deliver practical results for people: warmer and more energy-efficient schools, accessible public services and lower energy costs for municipalities. This is particularly important as we prepare for another winter under continued Russian attacks on our energy infrastructure. We are grateful to the European Investment Bank and our European partners for helping Ukrainian communities invest in infrastructure that is more efficient, accessible and resilient,” said Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk.
“Community recovery is not only about restoring what has been destroyed or repairing what was damaged; it is also an opportunity to build better, more modern, and more resilient infrastructure. People should be able to feel the difference in their everyday lives — through more comfortable and energy-efficient schools, more accessible public services, and better living conditions for local residents. Projects such as those in Borshchiv and Trybukhivtsi demonstrate the tangible results of cooperation between Ukraine, local communities, and the EU,” said Minister of Communities, Territories and Internally displaced persons of Ukraine Vitaliy Bezgin.
“Investing in local infrastructure is, first and foremost, investing in Ukraine’s people and human capital,” said Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Olga Zykova. “The completed projects in Borshchiv and Trybukhivtsi demonstrate the power of cooperation between the state, municipalities, and international partners. We are grateful to the EIB and UNDP for helping Ukrainian communities build accessible, energy-efficient, and resilient spaces that improve people’s daily lives and strengthen Ukraine’s recovery.”
“Today, we are opening a modern and accessible service centre that will make essential administrative and social services more convenient for our residents. This is an important investment in the future of our community, and we are grateful to the EIB, the EU and UNDP for their support,” said Head of the Trybukhivska community Oleh Kovdryn.
The projects in Borshchiv and Trybukhivtsi were implemented in partnership with the Ukrainian government and local authorities, with technical support from United Nations Development Programme.
“The UNDP is proud to work with European partners to help Ukrainian municipalities restore inclusive, energy-efficient and resilient public infrastructure despite the ongoing war,” said UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma. “The results in Borshchiv and Trybukhivtsi show what this partnership can achieve on the ground.”
Background information
The EIB in Ukraine
Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB Group has significantly stepped up its financial support for the country’s resilience and modernisation following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Since then, EIB financing in support of Ukraine has reached €4.5 billion. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing a dedicated window under the Ukraine Facility, the EIB is strongly committed to stepping up and accelerating its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and international partners.
Press contact
Olga Sushytska, o.sushytska@eib.org
Website: www.eib.org/press