How ECOTEPLO and WeWorld Helped Irpin Residents Get Through the Winter

Irpin became one of the symbols of destruction and recovery following the events of spring 2022. Thousands of families lost part of their property, and some homes were left without proper heating ahead of winter. In this situation, fast and reliable humanitarian aid was critical — and that's when the ECOTEPLO team joined the effort.

How did the partnership with WeWorld begin?

WeWorld is an international charity that works in humanitarian assistance and the protection of people's rights in crisis situations, including support for populations affected by hostilities in Ukraine. In autumn 2022, the fund was looking for a reliable Ukrainian manufacturer of heating equipment capable of quickly supplying a batch of quality, safe devices for Irpin families.

The choice fell on ECOTEPLO — a Ukrainian company that manufactures ceramic heaters and electric radiators. The key selection criteria were equipment safety, energy efficiency, certification, and the ability to deliver within a tight timeframe ahead of the cold season.

Why electric heaters specifically?

• Speed of installation — unlike restoring centralized heating, an electric heater can be plugged in as soon as power supply is restored.
• Safety — ceramic panels have no exposed heating element and don't dry out the air the way some alternatives do.
• Compactness — the devices are easy to place even in partially restored premises.
• Affordability — an important factor for families who had already faced significant financial losses.

Who actually ran the program?

The partnership began in August 2022 and brought together several participants: the international organization WeWorld-GVC (Italy), the Ukrainian charity "Yellow-Blue Wings," and the Irpin City Council. Financial support for the program was provided by WeWorld and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Assistance was directed primarily at residents of the SMU neighborhood in Irpin, whose housing was damaged in the early stages of the fighting.

What did Irpin families receive?

As part of the partnership, affected families received a batch of ECOTEPLO electric heaters to install in their homes. This made it possible to maintain an acceptable temperature indoors while the city's damaged infrastructure and heating systems were being restored. Each household that passed the vulnerability assessment received one electric heater and two thermal blankets, and some families additionally received cash assistance for utility costs. Registration for the program took place by phone, followed by an interview to confirm eligibility.

What experience with similar humanitarian programs shows

Experience from participating in such initiatives shows that in crisis situations, it's not just the devices that matter but also the speed of logistics. Batches of heaters were assembled and shipped within tight deadlines to arrive before the cold set in. The ECOTEPLO team also accounted for the specifics of damaged premises — where the power grid could be temporary or unstable — so preference was given to reliable models resistant to voltage fluctuations.

Programs like this remain relevant today: as some Ukrainian communities continue to deal with damaged infrastructure or power outages, the need for safe, economical spot heating hasn't gone away — on the contrary, it has become a permanent part of preparing for the heating season for many families.

Why this matters beyond Irpin

The story of the partnership with WeWorld is one example of how a business can contribute to rebuilding communities affected by war. For families facing similar challenges today — damaged housing, power outages, or the need for temporary heating — the same equipment-selection principles still apply: safety, energy efficiency, and reliability under unstable grid conditions. Read more in the article how ECOTEPLO heaters save the day during power outages in Ukraine.

For those restoring or insulating their own home after damage, the article why it's worth giving up centralized home heating may also be useful — it covers the advantages of standalone solutions specifically in situations where centralized systems are unreliable.

Sources and useful links

Information about WeWorld's activities and its humanitarian programs in Ukraine is available on the organization's official resources. Catalog of equipment the company supplies for private and humanitarian needs — ECOTEPLO ceramic heaters.

Helping the residents of Irpin remains an important chapter in ECOTEPLO's history — a reminder that quality, reliable equipment is sometimes needed not for comfort, but for basic safety and warmth in the hardest moments.