Hansen Ukrainian Mission Affordable Housing: E&S Assessment and ESAP Implementation Support

Client: EBRD

Hansen Ukrainian Mission (HUM), supported by the US-based Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation, is establishing a vertically integrated platform to deliver dignified, affordable housing solutions (rental and rent-to-own) for low- to middle-income households and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ukraine. To support EBRD financing for this platform, AVG was commissioned to deliver two critical phases: initially conducting an Environmental and Social (E&S) Assessment of the proposed operational and charitable structures, and subsequently providing targeted capacity-building and implementation support to operationalize the resulting Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).

Project phases and tasks:

Phase 1: E&S Assessment

Review corporate-level E&S systems: Evaluate the Client’s existing procedures for environment, labour, OHS, stakeholder engagement, grievance management, and contractor oversight.
Conduct site visits: Assess a representative operational site and one sub-project to determine compliance with national, EU, and EBRD requirements.
Perform contextual risk assessment: Analyze conflict-related, socio-economic, and environmental sensitivities based on desk reviews and consultations.
Characterize baseline conditions: Identify site-specific E&S risks and develop a baseline through stakeholder interviews, data review, and field observations.
Develop assessment documentation: Prepare an Environmental and Social Assessment Report, including a Compliance Summary against the EBRD ESRs.
Draft E&S frameworks: Develop the initial Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and Non-Technical Summary (NTS).
Identify data gaps: Provide recommendations for additional fieldwork regarding gender, IDPs, vulnerability, labour, retrenchment, and housing eligibility criteria.

Phase 2: ESAP Implementation Support

Institutional Setup and Capacity Building: Support HUM’s internal E&S Manager by designing and delivering a structured training program (2–3 modules) on the EBRD ESP (2024), ESRs 1–10, ESAP/ESMS implementation, contractor management, and GBVH prevention.
Development of Corporate ESMS: Assist in preparing a fit-for-purpose ESMS—including policy, structure, and procedures for screening, assessment, and reporting—and support internal approval, disclosure, and roll-out.
Contractor and Sub-Project Management Tools: Develop standard E&S specifications and ESMP templates for contracts, and support site-level E&S screening, pre-mobilization reviews, and contractor audit checklists.
OHS and Security: Develop a corporate OHS and Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP), templates for site-specific OHS Plans, and conduct a Security Risk Assessment (SRA) to develop procedures consistent with VPSHR.
GBVH Prevention and Response: Conduct a targeted GBVH risk assessment, update the Anti-Harassment Policy, and provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered training to HR staff and supervisors.
Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Mechanism: Operationalize the SEP, establish a corporate-level grievance mechanism, and advise on multi-channel engagement and disclosure.

Key results:

1. Successfully completed an initial desktop study, kick-off meetings, and site visits to existing HUM facilities to verify baseline information and assess the Company’s initial E&S documentation.

2. Delivered a comprehensive E&S Assessment Report and Key Findings Summary detailing compliance with EBRD ESRs.

3. Finalized and delivered core foundational documents, including the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Non-Technical Summary (NTS), and the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).

4. Built robust institutional capacity by training the newly appointed E&S Manager and HR staff on specific safeguard requirements.

5. Established an operational corporate ESMS integrated with tailored, separate tools for contractor management, OHS, security risks, and GBVH prevention to ensure ongoing field-level compliance and effective grievance management.