In early March, a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Waste Management for Ukraine (WM4U) Programme was held with the participation of representatives from the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, the Ministry for Development of Municipalities and Territories, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, the Kremenchuk City Council, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SwEPA), the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (Nefco), as well as the Programme management.
The purpose of the WM4U Advisory Committee meetings is to assess the Programme’s strategic direction, take into account the current context, and facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders and interested parties.
The meeting focused on discussing priorities for 2026 and future prospects, including:
– a study on Energy from Waste with results expected in the summer of 2026;
– an assessment of training needs for communities;
– review of regional waste management plans;
– preparation of feasibility studies for four landfills;
– development of a tariff model;
– the development of local waste management plans and cluster concepts based on Swedish experience.
Special attention was given to the launch of a pilot project on bio-waste, scheduled for April of this year.
The Committee identified tight deadlines and potential delays as the greatest challenges and risks, stemming from the interdependence of the Programme’s components, legislative constraints and local conditions, the requirements of Swedish tender procedures, as well as the capacity of the Ukrainian side. At the same time, key success factors included the recognition of WM4U as a leading programme in the field of waste management in Ukraine and well-established cooperation with financial institutions and partners.
Advisory Committee members shared their vision for the Programme’s work. The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management noted the support of municipalities and the value of practical experience, particularly the study visit to Stockholm, which served as the basis for drafting a bill on packaging waste and introducing extended producer responsibility. The Ministry for Development of Municipalities and Territories emphasized the need to evaluate the results of the work, particularly the component on providing material assistance, not only based on quantitative indicators but primarily on their impact, while the Ministry of Economy highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among communities, particularly in the areas of tariff policy and engagement with the public.
Representatives of communities and regions emphasized the importance of familiarizing lawmakers with the actual conditions on the ground.
Sida highlighted the Programme’s achievements, reaffirmed its support for investments through Nefco, and endorsed the implementation of quality indicators to assess its impact.
The event was held within the Swedish–Ukrainian WM4U Programme, which aims to support the development of modern, systemic, and environmentally responsible waste management solutions at local, regional and national levels. The programme is funded by the Government of Sweden through Sida and implemented by SALAR International in partnership with Avfall Sverige.