Overview
Situation
Since the start of the war, an estimated 1-10 million windows have been blown out in Ukraine. Soaring energy prices and sub-zero winter temperatures make this an urgent problem as windows are a key component of good building insulation.
Most people have come up with emergency solutions to block air from passing through with materials such as plywood, plastic wrap or single layers of PVC. These solutions fall short on several counts. They don’t insulate well, they don’t let light through, they can be difficult to install.
Our Actions
Insulate Ukraine have developed a solution that Ukrainians can use to replace the shattered windows to get them through this harsh winter. The solution insulates like double glazing, lets light through, costs $15 per window, and can be built at home in 15 minutes from basic materials.
With our new window in hand, we have gone to Izyum in Eastern Ukraine, as this is where the need for this solution is greatest. We have three objectives in Izyum, perfect the implementation of our designs, gather evidence on the efficacy of our designs and set up to teach NGOs and locals how to build these new windows. Parts one is complete, part two is nearing completion and our focus is turning to part three.
Our Impact
We have now directly implemented windows in over 300 homes.
We employ 14 individuals local to Ukraine: 9 in Izyum and 5 in Nikopol.
Insulate Ukraine has taught representatives from Lyman police and fire services.
Insulate Ukraine has taught representatives from 12 villages in Lyman. We have now taught over 100 locals how to implement our windows.
To date we have raised $60,000: $40,000 for the Izyum project, $10,000 for Nikopol and $10,000 for Lyman.
Per week, we implement 200 windows in Izyum and 80 in Nikopol...
Our windows help to reseal the thermal envelope protecting the inhabitants from extreme temperatures. We have seen evidence of the efficacy of these windows with increases in internal surface temperature clocking 17 degrees. Clients have reported needing to spend less on fuel to keep themselves warm.
A recount of our time in Izyum can be found here Notes from Izyum.
Our goal
The mission is to Insulate Ukraine. We see a Ukraine in which a shattered window doesn’t mean one has to sleep in their bathtub to stay warm. We intend to have hubs across Ukraine from where we can replace any shattered window with our solution within 24 hours by providing the required equipment, to local charities and NGOs on the ground.
The ingenuity of our solution gives us the opportunity to solve the problem of shattered windows across the entirety of Ukraine. We intend to deliver on this opportunity.
Financially we aim to raise $180k for Izyum, $250k for Lyman and $180k for Nikopol.
Our Sponsors
Testimonials from clients
*“I and my family are very grateful to you and all the guys for responding to help. I apologize for such housing but we have no other we live very modestly but I think soon we will be able to go to work wishing you good health to you and your families and of course a peaceful sky never to see what we have experienced thank you very 💖💖💖 much” - Julia from Izyum
“Your windows are excellent. Before you had come, my windows were made of pieces of glass. It was cold. After you replaced them with you windows, it became noticeably warmer and stopped drafting. The work was done very quickly and free of charge, special thanks for that. There is only one disadvantage, the polyethylene is not clear so on a cloudy day we need to turn on the light.” - Olga Izyum
“I am very grateful for your help. There are no problems with your windows. They protect very well from drafts and frost, besides, they let light through. My windows were sealed with small peaces of wood and plastic and let the wind through, and your windows are very airtight.” - Svitlana from Izyum
Background information
Insulate Ukraine was founded by a British engineer at the University of Cambridge, Harry Blakiston Houston (25 years old). Along with Max-Olivier van Baestalaer (23), Louis Hall (26), founder of The Big Hoof charity that is supporting Insulate Ukraine, and Edward Terry (28), an American volunteer and friend, the three of them are currently installing Insulate Ukraine windows with the aim to teach locals how to follow the practice.
IU began operating on the ground on 1st January 2023 in a bungalow in Izyum, in the Kharkiv Oblast of eastern Ukraine. IU now operates in Izyum, Nikopol, Lyman, Dnipro and Kherson.