Ukraine: EIB provides €4.7 million for waste management improvements at Lviv’s Hrybovychi landfill

This article is published in association with European Investment Bank.

• This EU guarantee-backed financing will support the reclamation of the Hrybovychi landfill, addressing long-standing environmental challenges for the city of Lviv.
• The funding will help improve the city’s waste management system (aligning it with EU environmental standards), minimise ecological impact and ultimately transform the Hrybovychi landfill into a green zone and park area.
• The remediation measures at the Hrybovychi landfill are part of the EIB’s Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Programme (UMIP), which helps Ukrainian cities to improve essential public services.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a second loan tranche of €4.7 million, backed by EU guarantees, to support the reclamation of the Hrybovychi solid waste landfill in Lviv. The funds will be used to improve waste management infrastructure, address environmental hazards, and continue to rehabilitate the landfill site. This funding is part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package, developed with the European Commission, through which over €2 billion has already been delivered to restore essential infrastructure and address urgent recovery needs in Ukraine.

The funding will support a set of rehabilitation works at the Hrybovychi landfill Phase II, set to begin in early 2025. These include the installation of a drainage layer to cover all parts of the landfill, along with a layer of soil to stabilise the landfill and surrounding disturbed areas. Perennial grasses will be planted across these sites to prevent erosion and improve the landscape. A new reservoir will be constructed for the treatment of surface water and as a firefighting resource. Additionally, new wells will be installed, and existing wells will be upgraded to enhance groundwater monitoring and ensure environmental safety. Once fully reclaimed, the Hrybovychi landfill will be transformed into a continuous green zone and park area, providing residents with a safe and welcoming space for relaxation and recreation.

These works are a continuation of reclamation efforts at the Hrybovychi landfill Phase I, supported by the EIB since 2020 under the Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Programme (UMIP) with a €6.04 million loan. Earlier reclamation activities at the landfill were also co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The upcoming rehabilitation will be jointly supported by the EIB and contributions from the Lviv city budget. Together, these efforts mark a significant step towards addressing Ukraine’s waste management challenges and safeguarding its environment.

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, said: “The EIB’s support for the rehabilitation of the Hrybovychi landfill in Lviv underscores our commitment to advancing resilient and sustainable public infrastructure. Together with our EU partners, we continue helping Ukrainian cities improve essential services – be it waste management, heating, healthcare, or education. Strong municipalities are the backbone of a strong Ukraine, and we are dedicated to supporting their efforts to create better living conditions for their communities.”

European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The European Union continues to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. We are also committed to taking action to improve the lives of its citizens. This €4.7 million in EU-guaranteed EIB financing is a tangible demonstration of this commitment. It will be used to transform the Hrybovychi landfill into a park for the residents of Lviv. In doing so, it will address long-standing environmental challenges and create an important new amenity. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient Ukraine.”

Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine — Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “The rehabilitation of the Hrybovychi landfill is a cornerstone project for Lviv, addressing the city’s critical environmental challenges. Once completed, it will eliminate environmental risks and also bring the site in line with EU standards. Support from international partners like the EIB enables us to rebuild stronger, greener communities and pave the way for a sustainable future for generations to come.”

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said: “The reclamation of the Hrybovychi landfill is a continuation of our efforts to solve a pressing waste management issue and bring significant change to Lviv. This project is about building a cleaner, healthier city and demonstrating that with determination and collaboration even the most complex challenges can be resolved. I am grateful to the EIB and all our partners for their support in making this project a reality and helping Lviv adopt waste management practices that meet EU standards.”

Background information

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of the Global Gateway. We aim to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027, around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. With Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to people, companies and institutions through our offices around the world.

The Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Programme (UMIP) is a €400 million framework loan aimed at supporting public infrastructure projects in medium and large municipalities, such as Zaporizhzhia, Kamianske, Lutsk, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Sumy, Lozova and Ternopil. The programme focuses on rehabilitating and modernising municipal infrastructure, serving as a vital component of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. The UMIP supports municipalities in renewing district heating systems, improving energy efficiency in buildings, upgrading street lighting, and enhancing water supply, wastewater and solid waste management systems. The programme is jointly managed by Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories and the Ministry of Finance. To ensure successful implementation, the UMIP benefits from technical assistance funded by the Eastern Partnership Technical Assistance Trust Fund (EPTATF), managed by the EIB, and the EU Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP).