Ukraine Regional

Ukraine has scarce water resources and access to safe drinking water is increasingly becoming a development challenge. The reason for this is that the deteriorating national water purification system that was designed and constructed about 50 years ago no longer has the capacity to purify water. This worsens drinking water quality and leads to limited access to safe drinking water.

People can access safe drinking water by purchasing bottled water, purchasing household purification equipment or by using water from natural springs. The majority of Ukrainians cannot afford bottled water, and therefore, natural springs, where available, could be one of the solutions to this challenge. However, the size of the natural springs do not allow their inclusion in the national water supply system.

Historically, natural springs were the centre of a community’s social life, and have the potential to become a strong instrument for community mobilization as well as for progress and environmental awareness among local communities and youth.

What is the objective?

The immediate development impact of the project rests on the increased access of local communities to natural springs, and in some cases to safe drinking water. The long-term development impact will be in changing community members’ perceptions of water management and conservation through training in water management. Part of the development impact will also be in changing community members’ mentality with regard to community mobilization by involving them in partnership community projects to restore springs and the surrounding area. In addition, the project applies a partnership approach by bringing together local authorities, community members, schoolchildren and students to preserve and protect natural water resources and the environment.