Impact Report: The Green Road Project

GEN Ukraine

Introduction

Green Road of Ecovillages

The Green Road of Ecovillages is a project of two NGOs, GEN Ukraine and ‘Permaculture in Ukraine’, initiated on the second day of the full-scale invasion, February 25, 2022. These organizations combined their efforts, mobilized their networks (one of ecovillages and one of permaculture centers), and created a map of locations ready to accommodate people seeking short-term or long-term shelter. In partnership with the Global Ecovillage Network Europe, a map of European eco-communities ready to receive Ukrainian refugees was also developed.

Within a month, the map included 70 locations in Ukraine and 300 in Western Europe. Since the project's inception, around 3000 people have passed through our locations. Initially, many stayed briefly before heading to the western border, giving rise to the project's name - Green Road.

By fall 2022, there were 600 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who chose to stay in our eco-communities for the winter. By fall 2023, around 300 newcomers remained, planning to stay at least until the end of the war or having already become new community members.

Achievements and Support Provided

Tools, Construction, and Repair:

• Construction and Insulation of Buildings: Supported in 17 locations.
• Pipe and Wire Sets: Provided to 11 locations.
• Large and Small Sanitary Equipment: Supplied to 10 locations.
• Pumps: More than 70 units distributed.
• Concrete Mixers: Provided to 3 locations.
• Electric and Gasoline Chainsaws: More than 25 units distributed.
• Tool Kits: Supplied to 10 locations.
• Firewood for Winter: Distributed to more than 30 locations.

Home Infrastructure:

• Multicookers, Stoves, Electric and Gas Cooktops: More than 50 units provided.
• Washing Machines: 20 units supplied.
• Refrigerators: More than 30 units distributed.
• Dishwashers: 5 units provided.
• Kitchen Utensils: Supplied to more than 30 locations.
• Sleeping Items (Beds, Mattresses, Rugs, Pillows, Bedding): Provided to more than 35 locations.

Heating, Energy, and Autonomy:

• Gas Stoves and Cylinders: More than 50 units distributed.
• Solar Panels: Installed in 4 locations.
• Generators: Provided to 8 locations.
• Biogas Installations: 1 location equipped.
• Wood Boilers, Stoves, and Buleryans: More than 30 units distributed.

Agriculture and Food Processing:

• Motoblocks and Attachments: Provided to 9 locations.
• Hand Cultivators: Distributed to 8 locations.
• Shredders: Supplied to 11 locations.
• Haymowers and Trimmers: Provided to 7 locations.
• Water Collection and Irrigation Systems: Installed in 8 locations.
• Milking Machines: Supplied to 2 locations.
• Greenhouses: Established in 35 locations.
• Food Processing Facilities: Supported in more than 10 locations.

Miscellaneous Support:

• Laptops: More than 150 units distributed.
• Tablets for Children: 12 units provided.
• Sports Grounds and Educational Materials for Children: Supported in 10 locations.
• Bicycles: More than 30 units provided.
• Electric Bicycles: 6 units supplied.
• Projectors for Events: 2 units provided.
• Domes and Pavilions: Established in 3 locations.
• Chairs for Events: 90 units provided.

Detailed Impact

1. Construction and Repair:

   • Building Construction and Insulation: Supported in 17 locations, ensuring safe and warm living conditions.
   • Pipe and Wire Sets: Provided to 11 locations to enhance infrastructure development.
   • Sanitary Equipment: Supplied to 10 locations, improving sanitary conditions.
   • Pumps: More than 70 units distributed to ensure water supply.
   • Concrete Mixers: Provided to 3 locations to aid in construction projects.
   • Chainsaws: More than 25 units distributed for construction and maintenance.
   • Tool Kits: Supplied to 10 locations to support various construction and repair activities.
   • Firewood: Distributed to more than 30 locations for winter heating.

2. Home Infrastructure:

   • Kitchen Appliances: More than 50 multicookers, stoves, and cooktops provided, enhancing cooking facilities.
   • Washing Machines: 20 units supplied, improving laundry facilities.
   • Refrigerators: More than 30 units distributed to ensure food preservation.
   • Dishwashers: 5 units provided to ease household chores.
   • Kitchen Utensils: Supplied to more than 30 locations to fully equip kitchens.
   • Sleeping Items: Provided to more than 35 locations, ensuring comfortable sleeping arrangements.

3. Heating, Energy, and Autonomy:

   • Gas Stoves and Cylinders: More than 50 units distributed, ensuring reliable cooking facilities.
   • Solar Panels: Installed in 4 locations, providing sustainable energy.
   • Generators: Provided to 8 locations to ensure continuous power supply.
   • Biogas Installations: Set up in 1 location, showcasing renewable energy use.
   • Wood Boilers, Stoves, and Buleryans: More than 30 units distributed for efficient heating.

4. Agriculture and Food Processing:

   • Motoblocks and Attachments: Provided to 9 locations to enhance agricultural productivity.
   • Hand Cultivators: Distributed to 8 locations, supporting small-scale farming.
   • Shredders: Supplied to 11 locations for waste management and composting.
   • Haymowers and Trimmers: Provided to 7 locations for maintaining green spaces.
   • Water Collection and Irrigation Systems: Installed in 8 locations for sustainable water management.
   • Milking Machines: Supplied to 2 locations to support dairy farming.
   • Greenhouses: Established in 35 locations, promoting year-round agricultural production.
   • Food Processing Facilities: Supported in more than 10 locations, enhancing local food processing capabilities.

5. Miscellaneous Support:

   • Laptops: More than 150 units distributed, supporting education and remote work.
   • Tablets for Children: 12 units provided to aid in children's education.
   • Sports Grounds and Educational Materials for Children: Supported in 10 locations, promoting physical activity and learning.
   • Bicycles: More than 30 units provided for mobility.
   • Electric Bicycles: 6 units supplied for eco-friendly transportation.
   • Projectors for Events: 2 units provided to support community events.
   • Domes and Pavilions: Established in 3 locations for communal activities.
   • Chairs for Events: 90 units provided for seating at community events.

We have been supported by:

The European network of ecovillages GEN Europe shelters Ukrainians in their settlements and collects donations for us. We have regular calls with the Council of the organization and with national coordinators for mutual support and development of the project.
The Danish network of ecovillages LOES helped us receive a grant from the CISU Civil Society Development Fund, which currently covers the basic needs of internally displaced persons in our communities. LOES also collected and sent us humanitarian aid.
Fondation de France has supported our project with a grant which objective is to improve the living conditions for people, provide alternative energy sources for self-sufficiency and small scale agricultural equipment to ensure food security.
The project "German-Ukrainian cooperation in the field of organic agriculture" supported us with an information campaign and helped collect donations.
Visegrad and Beyond Permaculture Partership added permaculture centers in the Visegrad region to the Green road map and established national coordinators for working with displaced persons.
Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology is conducting a fundraising campaign for the project.
Gas Up Ukraine Canada is conducting a fundraising campaign to provide eco-villages with fuel.
The initiative center for promoting the activity and development of the public initiative "Ednannya" believed in the importance of our project and supported 5 locations with finances for their development.
The Mission Bambini Foundation has funded the purchase of 12 tablets for children's online schooling at our locations.
Agro-Perma_Lab conducts a fundraising company in Poland.
The Dunau Soja Organisation supported our locations with organic food from Ukrainian producers.
The organic agri-trading company Sunrise Foods supported our project with a corporate donation.
The charity fund of the British cosmetics brand LUSH supported the project with a grant for buying tanks for harvesting rainwater.
The Hilti Foundation provided support for the purchase of power banks, charging stations and rechargeable flashlights to survive the difficult winter of 2022/2023.
The Netherlands Network of Ecovillages Fund supports projects to implement sustainable solutions in Ukrainian ecological communities.
And many more of our friends from all over the world, to whom we are extremely grateful!

Conclusion

The Green Road Project has significantly contributed to the well-being of war-affected individuals by integrating them into sustainable communities. The focus on renewable energy, efficient heating solutions, sustainable agriculture, and community support highlights the project's commitment to resilience and self-sufficiency. The achievements in providing essential resources and promoting sustainable practices are steps towards building a robust support system for displaced individuals in Ukraine.

This report reflects the collective efforts and outcomes of the Green Road Project, demonstrating the impact and progress made in supporting those in need through sustainable and community-based approaches.

More info here

Here are the tables summarizing the support provided by the Green Road Project:

Construction and Repair Support

Home Infrastructure Support

Heating, Energy, and Autonomy Support

Agriculture and Food Processing Support

Miscellaneous Support

These tables reflect the comprehensive support provided through the Green Road Project, ensuring sustainable living conditions and aiding in the integration of displaced individuals into eco-communities.