Visit our REUkraine Resources Page for resources from the Kyiv conference, upcoming study trip, and more.
As a non-profit dedicated to promoting innovation in the Design and Construction industries, the Center for Innovation (CFI) is embarking on the biggest new design and construction opportunity of our lifetime. Together with our Ukrainian partner, Dobrobat, CFI is hosting two transformative events:
On July 28, 2023, we partnered with Dobrobat, a rapid rebuilding response organization in Ukraine, to host a national conversation in Kyiv, Ukraine. Over 400 government ministers, mayors and concerned citizens gathered to discuss post-war reconstruction with CFI leaders (pictured to the right). The event was free and was recorded and live-streamed. We hosted a post Ukraine trip webinar on August 25th to recap the conference and what we learned.
Early next year, CFI will host a delegation of Ukrainian government officials and design and construction experts to the San Francisco Bay Area. The delegation will meet with leading researchers, technologists, and process experts to facilitate an exchange of ideas and expertise that will pave the way for reconstruction success.
More than a year ago, Ukraine found itself the victim of a devastating invasion by Russian forces. This act of unanticipated aggression was met with global outrage. Condemnations echoed from the United Nations General Assembly chambers to the halls of power in the United States, with the vast majority of the international community united in their denouncement of Russia's unjustified/unprovoked actions.
As the conflict continues, the resilience and resourcefulness of the Ukrainian forces have been widely acknowledged, leading to their nickname as the "MacGyver army". Their adaptation of digital tools, novel strategies, and sheer ingenuity have astonished the world, highlighting their bravery and creativity amidst the backdrop of war.
President Zelensky's vision includes an immediate response to the pressing needs of war-torn communities. At the same time, he has urged design and construction leaders to consider the longer term, crafting strategies that not only repair the present damage but also lay the groundwork for a thriving peacetime economy.
Your support can help turn this vision into reality. Together, we can assist Ukraine in rising from the ashes of conflict to build a brighter and more resilient future. Your contribution will not only aid in reconstructing the nation's physical landscape but will also inspire a new era of innovation and progress in Ukrainian society.
In the wake of devastation, the Center for Innovation and our Ukrainian partner, Dobrobat are igniting a movement that embraces technology and new materials and explores sustainable solutions to rebuild this resilient nation. Dobrorat is a Ukrainian-based volunteer construction battalion that assists survivors in the de-occupied territories in the restoration of housing and social infrastructure. They work closely with Ukrainian mayors in many damaged regions of the country. Together, we are harnessing new and proven means and methods to tap into the boundless creativity of the building and design industry.
Today, many Ukrainians don’t have a floor upon which to put their feet: in June 2023 it was estimated that 163,000 housing units have been destroyed. To put that number in perspective, it’s as if every home in Cincinnati were destroyed.
Additionally, over 218 hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed. UNESCO has verified damage to 253 sites, including religious sites, museums, historic buildings monuments, and libraries. Ukrainians face an immense post-war rebuilding challenge.
The scope of destruction calls for immediate action, even before peace is fully secured. And the Ukrainian people are determined to reconstruct their nation with ingenuity. They seek guidance and expertise as they consider options and plan for a resilient future.
The Ukrainian reconstruction effort will be the biggest opportunity for building innovation since World War II. This initiative is an exceptional moment for global collaboration; lessons learned will shape the future of building worldwide as other countries face military conflict and climate change.
CFI is proud to stand alongside Ukraine as it builds, quite literally, the foundations of resilience and renewal. We are united in a mission to rebuild sustainably – using the best technological and process techniques.
CFI will focus on sharing ideas including:
Sustainability
Technology
EFFICIENCY
Dobrobat and CFI are NGO’s-we aren’t selling anything; our role is to provide ideas and hope. We do not endorse products or vendors.
Trip to Kyiv - July 28
Study Trip Symposium to San Francisco Bay Area - January 2024
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