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🏗️ Circular Economy in the Recovery of Ukraine’s Construction Sector: Opportunities and Challenges

📌 On 12 November 2025, in Warsaw, Poland, as part of the Rebuild Ukraine exhibition, a side event was held titled “Using Circular Economy Experience in Construction and Energy for the Recovery of Ukraine.” The event was organised jointly with the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC), the Belgian development agency Enabel, and the Business Finland organisation, with the support of the Confederation of Builders of Ukraine (CBU).

🌍In the context of Ukraine's recovery, the circular economy offers promising opportunities for a more sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient recovery, particularly in the construction and energy sectors. By rethinking how materials and resources are produced, circular approaches can stimulate innovation, reduce dependence on raw materials, and create long-term economic value.

👤 With a welcome address, H.E. Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine, said:

“This is about the innovations that Ukraine is demonstrating. During the war, they say that pressure makes people innovative, and we see this not only at the front line, of course, but also in the rear,” the Ambassador noted.

👤 Oleksandr Chervak, CEO of CBU, shared his vision on “Circular Economy in the Recovery of Ukraine’s Construction Sector: Opportunities and Challenges.”

“Today, the construction sector must become an example of the transition to a sustainable and responsible economy. The Confederation of Builders of Ukraine is implementing sustainable development standards, developing green skills, shaping competencies, and supporting recycling practices. The circular economy is our path to efficiency, transparency, and trust, where every project is based on the principles of European standards and low-carbon development,” stated Oleksandr Chervak.

👤Kjetil Tonning, Chair of the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) Working Group on Ukraine, emphasized the importance of creating a favorable business environment for the development of circular construction in Ukraine, based on European experience.

"Rebuilding Ukraine is not just about buildings, but about people, communities, and sustainable solutions. It is important to transform construction waste into resources and implement energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings. Circular reconstruction reduces costs throughout the life cycle of buildings, strengthens local supply chains, and creates assets that are safer, cleaner, and more sustainable. Circular reconstruction is not a luxury, but rather competent risk management and high-quality engineering."

👤Yevhenii Lukianenko, Director of the Kharkiv Regional Development Agency, shared his vision for implementing circular solutions in Ukrainian communities. He particularly emphasized the importance of integrating environmental, economic, and social aspects into reconstruction processes:

“Even in the most difficult conditions, it is possible to implement innovative solutions that combine environmental safety, economic benefits, and social responsibility,” said Mr. Yevhenii.

👤Lidiia Shymon, Project Manager at NeoEco, pointed out: “Over 250,000 houses have been destroyed, and millions of tons of construction waste are having a devastating impact on human health and the environment.”

👤Other speakers at the event included:

👤Alissa Bankovska, President FIABCI-Ukraine

👤Maciej Chrzanowski, Technical Sales Manager Remagin, ETEX Group

👤Magnus Karlsson, Senior Sales Manager for Conceptual Solutions Valmet Technologies

👤Jyrki Rautamäki, Старший консультант НЕФКО

The following issues were discussed during the event:

✔️ Circular economy in the recovery of Ukraine’s construction sector: opportunities and challenges

✔️ An enabling business environment for circular construction: the European Union’s perspective

✔️ Circular solutions in practice: the experience of Ukrainian communities

✔️ Financing green and circular economy initiatives

The event became a platform for bringing together companies, trade organisations, business associations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, policymakers, and public sector representatives involved in Ukraine’s recovery processes.

WE WILL WIN AND REBUILD EVERYTHING! 💪

TOGETHER TO VICTORY!

GLORY TO UKRAINE! 💙💛