Background

The Government of Ukraine has identified energy-efficiency of buildings and circular (re)construction, including the reuse and recycling of debris, as vital pillars for the country’s recovery.

Belgium’s BE-Relieve programme (2024-2029) supports Ukraine’s Build Back Better agenda.

Under Intermediary Outcome A – energy & circular construction of the programme, Enabel, as Belgium’s Federal Agency for International Cooperation, wants to spark private-sector partnerships that feed directly into three intertwined processes already under way in Ukraine – reconstruction of war-damaged infrastructure, the green transition and EU integration.

We therefore seek Belgian companies ready to establish or expand commercially viable operations in the country that contribute – individually or in combination – to:

• Greater circularity along the value chain (war-debris recovery and reuse, closed-loop metal recycling, etc.)
• Decarbonisation of the construction and broader infrastructure sector (e.g. low-carbon binders, green aluminium, bio-based materials, etc.)
• Higher energy-efficiency in buildings (advanced envelopes, smart HVAC, integrated renewables).

We are interested in companies which intend to create a joint venture with a Ukrainian partner or set up / expand their own production facilities in Ukraine, provided the proposed activity helps build a sustainable green value chain that advances all three goals: rebuilding today, decarbonising tomorrow and aligning with EU standards for the long term.

This window will also be used as a lever to foster a genuine Team Belgium approach: Enabel will coordinate communication efforts with FIT, AWEX, hub.brussels and align with FINEXPO, SFPIM, Credendo, and BIO, encouraging each institution to deploy its usual instruments (export finance, equity investment, risk cover, trade promotion) to pool efforts around this specific initiative.

To mobilise coordinated backing from these Belgian and regional agencies, we need real business cases that show where a Team Belgium toolbox can make the decisive difference.

That is why this expression-of-interest (EoI) is not a competition, but a scouting exercise:

• We want to hear from Belgian firms that are actively considering a contribution, investment or joint venture in Ukraine’s green-construction value chain.
• Your EoI should outline the opportunity you see, the obstacles you face (finance, risk cover, permits, skills, supply-chain gaps, etc.) and the kinds of support that would unlock the investment.
• Your submission will help us identify what potential leverages can support companies to make their investments happen in Ukraine and aspire to build a bundled ‘Team Belgium’ coalition to make this happen.

If you see a commercial opportunity in Ukraine but are stopped by financing gaps, risk premiums, regulatory uncertainty or skills shortages, this EoI is your chance to put the issue on the Team Belgium agenda and co-shape the solution.

What is on offer

Although Enabel does not provide direct investment grants, the BE-Relieve window allows to evaluate available support mechanism designed to turn good ideas into bankable projects with Ukrainian anchorage:

Applicants are encouraged to flag which of these levers would most improve the viability of their investment and to describe the specific barriers—financial, regulatory, technical or human-capital—that the Team Belgium toolbox should help to lift.

Who can apply

Lead applicant: Belgian-registered company or business consortium (SME or large) with proven expertise in one of the themes above.

Partner structure: at EoI stage, a Ukrainian partner is recommended but not mandatory; matchmaking support will be provided.

Belgian interest: the proposal must demonstrate Belgian added value (technology, IP, equipment, services).

Compliance: applicants must respect EU sanctions, OECD responsible-business conduct and ILO core labour standards.

How to apply?

You can either submit your expression-of-interest (max. 6 pages) via the online form (link below), or download the EOI template here, and submit the completed form to psd.ukraine@enabel.be with subject line “BE-Relieve – EOI – [Company Name]”.

Submit your expression-of-interest no later than 30 September 2025.

Your dossier should cover:

• Company profile – core activities, annual turnover, key references relevant to the call’s themes.
• Concept outline – proposed Belgian-Ukrainian partnership, business idea, target market and technology readiness level.
• Expected impact and catalytic potential– social and environmental long-term impact, projected CO₂ reduction, circular-material uptake, local added value creation and skills transfer.
• Support requested – description of bottlenecks faced and expected support (match-making, de-risking, technical assistance or training) needed to unlock or scale the initiative/investment.

Evaluation

Short-listing & follow-up

Concepts that are eligible for further existing support from any of the Team Belgium actors will be contacted for further exploration by the mandated actor(s).

Any questions? Contact psd.ukraine@enabel.be

Disclaimer: This call is aimed at identifying serious private sector partners for further dialogue and collaboration. Please note that this call is non-binding; support remains subject to due diligence and availability of funds and eligibility to the criteria of other agencies, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

We look forward to teaming up with Belgian innovators to build a greener, more resilient Ukraine.