Welcome to SHAREs+
in Ukraine

Ukraine’s energy transition has taken on a fundamentally new dimension since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Systematic attacks on energy infrastructure have severely damaged centralized generation capacity, turning the shift toward renewable energy and decentralized systems into a matter of national security. In this context, citizen-led energy initiatives are no longer only a climate policy tool; they are becoming a cornerstone of resilience and recovery.

In response, the Ukrainian government has strengthened its strategic framework. Between 2023 and 2024, several key policy documents were adopted, including the Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2050, the Strategy for the Development of Distributed Generation until 2035, the National Renewable Energy Action Plan until 2030, and the National Energy and Climate Plan. All of these emphasize the critical role of local communities in advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency.

A major legislative milestone was reached in April 2026, when the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law on the integration of Ukraine’s electricity market into the EU internal energy market. The law introduces provisions aligned with EU energy directives and creates a legal foundation for the development of citizen energy communities.

The energy community movement in Ukraine is still at an early stage. At the same time, pioneering examples already demonstrate their potential. Projects such as Solar Town in Slavutych and initiatives like Civil Society Energy for Resilient Ukraine illustrate how local communities can actively contribute to the energy transition.

Ukraine participates in SHAREs+ as a replication country, at a moment when legislative reform is accelerating but implementation capacity remains limited. The project will provide structured support to translate new legal frameworks into operational reality helping municipalities, civil society organisations, and community leaders build, launch, and sustain citizen-led energy initiatives.

The project will provide Ukraine with:

• Technical guidance on community governance, financial models, and implementation steps
• Training and capacity building for municipalities and citizen groups
• Access to tools and methodologies used in successful community energy projects abroad
• Mentoring opportunities through the SHAREs Community Energy Peer Circle

Ukraine demonstrates strong political commitment to decentralised energy development. However, operational clarity remains insufficient, particularly under conditions of war and energy system vulnerability. 

 

Under SHAREs+, the Ukrainian National Gateway will evolve into a central information and support platform tailored to citizen-led renewable initiatives under crisis conditions. It will include: 

• Clear legal definitions and municipal role clarification — while strategic documents support community energy, municipalities often lack precise understanding of their formal competences and permissible participation models. The Gateway will provide structured legal interpretation tools and explicit guidance on municipal roles. 
• Funding templates and financing roadmaps for local authorities — given Ukraine's reconstruction context, municipalities require practical tools to integrate community energy into broader green recovery planning. The Gateway will offer accessible investment guidance tailored to municipal realities.
• Crisis-resilient project models — distributed generation, hybrid systems, and storage solutions aligned with energy security priorities are especially relevant in Ukraine's context and will be prominently featured. 
• Ukrainian case studies and citizen engagement examples — practical examples demonstrating feasibility under crisis conditions are crucial to build confidence among communities and local authorities alike. 

 

The Gateway is expected to function as both a practical implementation tool and a strategic coordination platform.

Despite the challenges of the ongoing war, Ukraine has substantial potential to scale up energy communities. Strong institutional engagement, growing public interest in energy autonomy, and an accelerating legislative reform agenda create favourable conditions. Distributed renewable generation is increasingly seen not only as a climate solution but as a direct contributor to national resilience.

Realising this potential, however, requires:

• Regulatory clarity and legal stability, including clear definitions and streamlined licensing.
• Access to diversified financing instruments.
• Administrative simplification, including a one-stop-shop model for registration, permitting, and reporting.
• Technical and procedural guidance on grid connection, system design, and digital energy management tools.
• Broader social transformation through awareness raising, youth education, and a shift in mentality toward collective action.

 

There is strong readiness to engage and SHAREs+ is designed to convert that readiness into action.

Ecoaction (Center for Environmental Initiatives Ecoaction) is a Ukrainian civil society organization that brings together experts and activists to work on energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate change, clean air, as well as sustainable transport and agriculture. Through its activities, Ecoaction contributes to environmental protection and supports the transition to a sustainable and resilient future.

 

For all SHAREs+ project partners, see: https://shares-project.eu/shares-1/project-partners-shares

Daryna Yaroshovets, SHAREs+ main contact person for Ukraine

36Е Yevhena Konovaltsia str., Kyiv, 01133 Ukraine 

dy@ecoaction.org.ua