From Idea to Warsaw: Project Navigator Opens Selection of Communities for ReBuild Ukraine

On October 13, a practical webinar for territorial communities was held, organized by CEE Bankwatch Network, Ecoaction, and the Foundation “Regional Centre for Economic Research and Business Support” as part of the development of the Project Navigator platform.

Nearly 70 people attended the event, including representatives of communities, international and civil society organizations, regional development agencies, and subject-matter experts.

The main focus was on preparing projects from smaller communities to seek funding and selecting participants who will be able to present their project proposals at the international ReBuild Ukraine exhibition and conference in Warsaw on November 12-13.

From a Project Idea to a Conversation with a Partner

Representatives of CEE Bankwatch Network explained the ReBuild Ukraine format, the opportunities it offers Ukrainian communities, and how to prepare for meetings with international financial institutions, banks, donors, and technology companies.

Dedicated sessions of the webinar focused on projects in the following areas:

• energy efficiency and energy independence of public buildings;

• alternative energy;

• modernization of water supply and wastewater systems;

• waste management;

• rapid infrastructure solutions for smaller communities.

Participating experts presented possible technical solutions for these projects and answered questions raised by communities during the discussion. Topics included the baseline data required, equipment selection, preliminary cost estimates, project readiness, and preparations for seeking funding.

Participants also learned about opportunities under UNDP programmes and the practical experience of the Volyn Regional Development Agency. An agency representative discussed grant projects, technical assistance, and intermunicipal cooperation initiatives that may be available to smaller communities.

Expert Perspective: Ideas Alone Do Not Secure Funding

Opportunities are available to communities. However, having a good idea does not necessarily mean that a project is ready for funding.

A potential partner needs to understand:

• what specific problem the project addresses;

• who the project is intended to benefit;

• what results it aims to achieve;

• how much implementation will cost;

• what the community has already prepared;

• what resources or decisions are still needed;

• what specific support the community expects from a partner.

The purpose of Project Navigator is to help communities navigate this process deliberately: test the logic of their projects, identify weaknesses, map out a realistic path forward, and prepare for substantive funding discussions.

At the same time, the platform cannot do all the work on a community’s behalf. The quality of the outcome will depend on how actively the community prepares data, responds to expert questions, and refines its projects.

How Communities Will Be Selected for Warsaw

Over the coming week, the Project Navigator team will evaluate project proposals and select 15 communities to participate in ReBuild Ukraine.

Each selected community will be able to present up to three of its most promising projects.

The selection process will take into account:

• the community’s level of activity on Project Navigator;

• the completeness and accuracy of the information submitted;

• project evaluation results within the system;

• conclusions from relevant experts;

• alignment of projects with programme priorities;

• the justification for the proposed solution and budget;

• the community’s readiness for further work;

• the potential to attract a financial or technical partner.

The evaluation within the system will help identify the strengths and weaknesses of projects. However, the final decision will not be made automatically based on scores alone. The team will also consider expert assessments, project feasibility, and alignment with opportunities available at ReBuild Ukraine.

The trip to Warsaw is not a reward and does not guarantee funding. It is a working opportunity for prepared communities to present their projects, gauge the interest of potential partners, and agree on next steps.

What Selected Communities Will Receive

Communities that pass the selection process will receive dedicated preparation for participation in ReBuild Ukraine.

This will include:

• refining three priority project proposals;

• preparing concise presentation materials in English;

• developing a specific request for donors, banks, and technical partners;

• preparing a community representative to deliver a brief presentation of the projects;

• providing language support to participants who need assistance during negotiations;

• creating a basic visual identity package for communities without an existing brand book.

If a community already has an approved brand book, its materials will be used in preparing the presentations. If it does not, the team will propose a basic visual solution for representing the community on Project Navigator and at the Warsaw event.

The aim is not simply to ensure that communities attend an international exhibition, but to prepare them for meaningful conversations with potential partners.

What Communities Need to Do Over the Next Week

Communities seeking to participate in ReBuild Ukraine should:

• review the information in their Project Navigator accounts;

• identify at least three priority projects;

• complete any missing information and finalize the evaluation of their project proposals;

• provide available public materials needed for expert analysis;

• designate a community representative to attend the event;

• indicate their English-language proficiency and whether interpretation support is needed;

• submit any existing brand book, logo, or other community visual identity materials.

Communities do not need to urgently commission an expensive feasibility study or complete design and cost-estimate documentation to take part in the selection process. At this stage, it is important to provide enough information to assess the project’s relevance, feasibility, and potential.

What Happens After Selection

Once the evaluation is complete, the organizers will inform communities of the results and begin individual preparations with the selected participants for ReBuild Ukraine.

For each selected community, the plan is to prepare a package containing three project proposals, brief English-language materials, and specific requests to potential partners.

After returning from Warsaw, communities will review the results of their participation: whom they connected with, what additional materials partners requested, what opportunities emerged, and what needs to happen next.

Project Navigator will continue supporting the selected projects. After all, the real outcome of an international event is not the number of brochures handed out or photographs taken, but concrete negotiations, agreements, and follow-up actions that bring community projects closer to funding.

More information about the platform and opportunities for communities: pronavigator.eu