Legal support for the largest infrastructure project in modern European history
Ukraine's reconstruction is not a distant future. It is already happening. Billions of euros from the EBRD, World Bank, European Investment Bank, donor country governments, and private investors are already being directed to the restoration of infrastructure, energy, housing, transport, and social services.
The scale is unprecedented. By various estimates, the total cost of reconstruction exceeds €400 billion. This means thousands of tenders, grants, public-private partnership projects, and contracts with international donors. And every one of them requires legal support — high quality, fast, at the intersection of international and Ukrainian law.
AO Zakhyst is the only law firm with over 50 offices in every region of Ukraine (including liberated territories) and 6 offices in key EU countries (Berlin, Prague, Kraków, Paris, Amsterdam, Helsinki). We are present both where financing decisions are made and where projects are implemented.
Who needs this
International construction companies
You want to participate in tenders for rebuilding Ukrainian roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and energy facilities. You need a partner who knows both international tender procedures and Ukrainian legislation.
Ukrainian companies
EBRD and World Bank tenders have their own rules that differ from the usual ProZorro procurement. We will help you understand these rules and prepare a competitive application.
Donor organisations and foundations
You finance reconstruction projects and need legal expertise: verification of beneficiaries, oversight of fund use, structuring of grant agreements.
Investors in reconstruction projects
Private investments in energy, logistics, processing, and residential construction. You want to invest but need legal protection and an understanding of the legal environment.
Local authorities
You are receiving international financing for community reconstruction and need legal support: documentation preparation, procurement management, donor reporting.
Equipment and materials suppliers
You supply construction materials, equipment, and machinery for reconstruction projects. Contracts with international organisations and Ukrainian clients have their own specifics.
What we do
Tenders from international financial organisations
EBRD, World Bank, EIB, KfW, USAID, and other donors have their own procurement rules that differ substantially from national ones.
- Analysis of tender documentation and donor requirements
- Checking your company's compliance with participation criteria (eligibility, qualification)
- Preparing the tender proposal (legal section)
- Forming a consortium or joint application
- Appealing tender committee decisions
- Negotiating contract terms and legal review before signing
Grants and grant financing
EU grant programmes, programmes from individual governments, and international organisations — one of the main sources of reconstruction financing.
- EU4Recovery and other EU programmes for Ukraine
- EBRD grant programmes (Ukraine Recovery Framework)
- KfW and GIZ programmes (Germany)
- USAID and DFID programmes
- Grant programmes of the Polish, Czech, Dutch, Finnish, and French governments
We support the entire cycle: from identifying a programme to post-completion reporting.
Public-private partnership (PPP)
PPP is one of the key mechanisms for attracting private investment into infrastructure restoration. We structure PPP and concession projects, prepare competition documentation, negotiate with the public partner, prepare the concession agreement, and structure project financing.
Investment in reconstruction projects
Analysis of the investment environment, due diligence of projects and partners, structuring investments with risk protection, use of bilateral investment treaties (BITs), political risk insurance (MIGA), structuring through EU holdings for additional protection.
Land law and construction permits
Most reconstruction projects involve land and real estate. We verify the legal status of land plots, formalise land rights, obtain urban development conditions and construction permits, commission completed facilities, and resolve land disputes.
Environmental law and demining
Reconstruction projects must comply with both Ukrainian and European environmental standards. We support environmental impact assessments (EIA), obtaining environmental permits, compliance with EBRD and World Bank standards, and legal support for contracts with demining companies.
Recovery sectors
Energy
Licensing, tariff regulation, PPA agreements, green tariff, grid connection, solar and wind power plant projects.
Transport and logistics
Concessions, PPP, road and bridge construction tenders, land issues, environmental permits, customs clearance of equipment.
Residential construction
Land issues, construction permits, contractor agreements, social housing programme financing, commissioning.
Agriculture
Land law, land lease, environmental requirements, demining of agricultural land, restoration of irrigation systems.
Social infrastructure
Tenders for rebuilding schools, hospitals, and kindergartens. Grant agreements, construction contracts, donor reporting.
Digital infrastructure
Licensing, NCEC regulatory requirements, operator contracts, data protection, telecommunications restoration and modernisation.
How much does it cost
Tender documentation analysis
Requirement review, chances assessment, recommendations.
Tender proposal preparation
Full legal application package.
Full tender support
From analysis to contract signing.
Grant application support
Legal section of the application + review of the grant agreement.
Investment structuring
Due diligence, structuring, risk protection.
Subscription service
For companies with multiple projects: dedicated lawyer, unlimited consultations, contract support.
Legal support typically amounts to 1–3% of the project value — an investment that prevents risks many times greater.
Why you need to act now
Competitive advantage of early entry
Companies already working with Ukrainian clients and donors have a reputation, experience, and understanding of local specifics. Newcomers will find it much harder.
Formation of the legal framework
Recovery legislation is being shaped right now. Those participating in this process influence the rules of the game. We track every legislative initiative.
Limited windows of opportunity
Grant programmes have deadlines. Tenders have submission timelines. Concessions are awarded once. Miss the window — miss the opportunity.
On-the-ground presence
Over 50 offices throughout Ukraine — including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson. We do not coordinate from Kyiv — we are physically present where projects are implemented.
Presence in decision-making capitals
Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam — cities where decisions on reconstruction financing are made. Our offices in these cities allow us to work with donors and investors directly.
Multidisciplinary expertise
A reconstruction project simultaneously involves land law, construction law, environmental law, labour law, tax law, and international law. We cover the full spectrum with one team.
Frequently asked questions
Can reconstruction tenders be participated in right now?
Yes. EBRD, World Bank, EU, KfW, and USAID tenders are already being conducted. We will help you find open tenders in your sector and prepare an application.
Is registration in Ukraine required to participate in tenders?
Not always. Tenders from international financial organisations are open to foreign companies without registration. But for contract execution, presence in Ukraine is generally required. We will help you choose the optimal form.
Is it safe to work in Ukraine right now?
Risks exist and depend on the region. But a significant part of the country is operating, and construction projects are being implemented even near the front line. We help assess risks for a specific project and structure insurance.
Do you work with projects in liberated territories?
Yes. Our offices in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions are operating and have access to local registers, authorities, and land plots.
What share of project value does legal support amount to?
Typically 1–3% of project value. This is an investment that prevents risks many times greater: tender challenges, contract failure, non-return of investment.
Do you help with finding financing?
We are not financial advisers, but we know the grant and tender landscape. We will tell you which programmes are open for your type of project and help with the legal section of the application.
Start now
Who enters first — occupies the market. We are ready and waiting for you. The first meeting is free — tell us about your project, and we will give a preliminary assessment: what legal steps are needed, how much it will cost, what the timelines and risks are.