Ukraine’s voice at the heart of Germany: The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation at Café Kyiv
- Feb 23
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
On February 23, 2026, the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation took part in the Café Kyiv forum in Berlin and co-organised the panel discussion “Energy Resilience and the Security of municipal and critical Infrastructure.”
For one day, Café Kyiv 2026 transformed the German capital into a space where Ukraine shaped the agenda for a shared European future. More than 5,000 participants, 120 events, 11 stages, and hundreds of speakers – political leaders, diplomats, experts, artists, military representatives, and civil society actors – came together to address the key challenges of supporting and rebuilding Ukraine.
The forum was opened by German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who reaffirmed Germany’s solidarity with Ukraine and emphasized that his country stands on the right side of history. Opening speakers also included Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Chair of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and Oleksii Makeiev, Ambassador of Ukraine to Germany – underscoring the continuity of political and institutional support for Ukraine.
Energy resilience as the foundation of community security
The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation and Ecoclub organised the panel discussion “Energy Resilience and the Security of municipal and critical infrastructure.” The discussion focused on practical solutions for municipalities – how to strengthen energy resilience today, not merely by responding to crisis, but by accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources.
While diesel generators were the primary request in 2022, the situation has fundamentally changed. Ukraine is now adding up to 800 MW of solar generation annually, with approximately 1.5 GW installed last year alone. Moreover, 64% of Ukrainians support the development of renewable energy as a strategic direction for the country’s energy future.
At the same time, panel participants emphasized that scaling municipal energy projects requires well-trained local teams, high-quality project documentation, transparent and predictable rules for investors, and consistent state coordination. International partners – particularly Germany – are increasingly combining emergency assistance with investments in long-term solutions. Today, renewable energy remains the most cost-effective and fastest way to expand generation capacity.
A dedicated part of the discussion addressed district heating and human capital. The war has exposed the vulnerability of centralized systems, yet also reaffirmed their strategic role in providing affordable and decarbonized heat. Ukrainian cities are already piloting innovative solutions, including geothermal heat pumps, though the sector requires legislative reforms and clear development pathways.
Equally pressing is the workforce shortage. Accelerated retraining programmes, mobile training centres, the integration of women and veterans into the energy sector, and the development of energy advisory institutions could provide a systemic response to these challenges. The panel’s key conclusion was clear: municipal energy resilience is determined not only by technology, but by the capacity of people and institutions to implement change swiftly and strategically.
A symbol of support and partnership
Participation in Café Kyiv also formed part of the Foundation’s international art advocacy campaign. In collaboration with Artists Support Ukraine, the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation presented the global exhibition Shadow of the Night, currently on display in Washington, San Francisco, Vienna, London, Berlin, and Lewis (Canada).
During the Forum, Yuliana Onishchuk, CEO & Founder of the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation, presented German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer with a signed artwork by renowned Ukrainian illustrator Serhii Maidukov titled “Kyiv in January 2026. Beloved, cold, unwavering.” The gift served as a gesture of gratitude for Germany’s support and as a symbol of the strong partnership between our countries.
Café Kyiv 2026 once again demonstrated that Ukraine’s voice resonates powerfully across Europe. The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation is proud to be among those giving that voice substance — transforming solidarity into concrete solutions for the energy security of communities.
