As a result of the Russian aggression, severe and targeted damage has been caused to critical infrastructure facilities, social infrastructure, and housing in Ukraine. This was also the fate of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf’s educational and manufacturing company in Chernihiv, which provides jobs for 73 deaf people. By providing support for the preparation of the premises for the winter period, the members of the Society of the Deaf are enabled to continue their work, even in the winter period. With the support of the project manager of the Foundation Entrepreneurs for Peace Miķelis Edvards Bulmanis, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all the windows of the building that were partially or completely destroyed by a wave of explosions have been restored.
Future plans
Restoration of windows is the first stage of the project. At the same time, the provision of building materials for major renovation of 5–7 residential houses in the village of Yahidne has started. The village has been on the front line for a long time, so most of the buildings in the village have been destroyed.
A board member of Entrepreneurs for Peace, Ieva Driksna, comments: “The urgency of the support projects is driven by the onset of the cold season and the desire to enable at least some villagers to live in adequate conditions as soon as possible. We are pleased with what we have achieved in renovating the facilities of the centre for the deaf, and in promoting economic continuity, which is especially important in times of war.”
Oleh Matiusha, counsel, head of Infrastructure and Transportation sector at Kinstellar Kyiv office acted as local expert and advised on various aspects of the project implementation under Ukrainian law.
Sorainen support and team
To ensure smooth project implementation, Sorainen provided free legal and tax support in the preparation of the project documents for funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as in drafting the necessary contracts for building materials and window renovation. Organised compliance issues in the areas of tax and construction were one of the keys to success, enabling us to act sufficiently quickly.
The work was carried out by the Sorainen team: partners Jānis Taukačs, Lelde Laviņa and Jorens Jaunozols; counsel Raivo Raudzeps; senior associate Katrīne Pļaviņa-Mika; associate Annija Straupe; and assistant lawyer Sofia Kurochka.
