On 16 October the awareness-raising seminar on the key aspects of the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) approach was held in Lviv as part of the project “Eco-Industrial Parks Programme II – Ukraine Country Level intervention” (GEIPP–II Ukraine), implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The event gathered around 80 participants – representatives of industrial park management companies, international partners, NGOs, and local communities – to explore the EIP concept and its environmental, social, and economic benefits for Ukraine’s industrial transformation.
Silvan Hungerbühler, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, emphasized the importance and timeliness of implementing the EIP model in the country.
Eco-Industrial Parks are not only a tool for sustainable growth in peacetime, but also play a crucial role in recovery and in ensuring long-term economic security in a conflict-affected environment
noted Mr. Hungerbühler.
He outlined three key reasons why the EIP model is particularly relevant for Ukraine today.
First, EIPs contribute to economic development and resilience, providing a platform for sustainable and technologically advanced industries capable of withstanding economic shocks amid the ongoing full-scale invasion.
Secondly, they create jobs and foster balanced regional growth, helping to revitalize local communities and reduce income disparities through the development of sustainable and innovative industries.
Finally, EIPs enhance competitiveness and sustainability by supporting Ukraine’s integration into European and global markets through compliance with international environmental standards and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. Adopting these standards, he stressed, can help Ukrainian companies attract international investments and strengthen their position in global value chains.
Switzerland stands with Ukraine in this critical moment of recovery, and we are proud to be a partner to its businesses and people on the path toward becoming a global leader in sustainable development
added Silvan Hungerbühler.
Cesar Barahona, GEIPP-II Ukraine/UNIDO Lead Expert and Project Coordinator, presented the key stages of the Global EIP Programme in Ukraine and its catalytic role in transferring international expertise and promoting inclusive, sustainable industrial growth.
We contribute to raising awareness not only among industries and industrial parks, but also within the government, local authorities, and society as a whole, because green development should be at the core of Ukraine’s industrial transformation after the invasion is over. To support this transformation, it is essential to develop high-quality trainings – such as those on resource efficiency and cleaner production – as they help companies become more efficient, greener, and more competitive
said Mr. Barahona.
He added that the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) training held in Lviv marked an important milestone in transferring international knowledge and experience to Ukraine.
Experts from the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre – Kateryna Romanova, Serhii Plashykhin, Ivan Omelchuk, and Oleksii Tchaikovskyi – presented the key aspects of the EIP and Industrial Symbiosis concepts, international case studies, and UNIDO’s EIP Assessment Tool used to evaluate parks against the EIP International Framework v2.0. Participants also learned about opportunities for technical support, consultancy, and training within the GEIPP-II Ukraine project and were informed about the procedure for expressing interest in joining the initiative through Letters of Interest.
This seminar was more than just an event – it brought together people united by a common goal: to make Ukrainian industry more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly, serving as a platform for new partnerships and practical solutions.
