Survey Report on the Effectiveness of the Information Campaign of the MHR Project in pilot cities

The project was implemented from 2010 to 2011, and its effectiveness was assessed through a survey conducted in ten pilot cities from April to June 2012. The survey involved focus group discussions and questionnaires filled out by representatives of target audiences, including residents of buildings with condominiums, housing and building cooperatives, and ZHEKs, personnel of communal enterprises, local self-governments, and school and university teachers. A total of 39 focus groups were conducted with 324 participants, and 292 questionnaires were filled out. The survey aimed to assess the public's attitude towards energy efficiency, the effectiveness of the Information Campaign on heat energy conservation, and the impact of the campaign on energy efficient behavior. The key goals of the Information Campaign were to draw the public's attention to energy efficiency, develop energy efficient behavior, and educate energy conscious and concerned consumers of housing and communal services. The survey results showed that the participants from all four target audiences realize the importance of energy conservation due to the threat to Ukraine's national security, ecological consequences, rising prices for energy carriers, and increasing payment for energy services. Most target audience participants believe that information and outreach campaigns help draw attention to energy efficiency and create incentives for the efficient and rational use of energy resources. The focus group participants were largely aware of the concept of information dissemination channels, with traditional channels such as printed and broadcast media being the most commonly cited. Many respondents were well disposed towards printed information carriers such as leaflets, booklets, posters, and so forth, which should be placed in entrances to buildings and disseminated in places where many people gather. The survey results also showed that most respondents were well aware of the actions undertaken during the Information Campaign, including creative visuals, interesting booklets with energy efficiency tips, bright billboards and posters, and the slogan "Save heat – save Ukraine". The respondents also liked the Energy Efficient Schools Program that was implemented in six out of ten cities under the survey. However, some respondents either heard only something or knew nothing about the Information Campaign. Most of the participants of the focus group with teachers in Vinnytsia knew nothing about the Energy Efficient Schools Program. The majority of focus group participants stated that the Information Campaign had a positive impact on the awareness of energy efficiency measures and on educating energy conscious consumers. Many respondents recommended disseminating information materials in a package with success stories and calculations of efficiency of energy efficiency measures in order to demonstrate the results of implementing energy efficiency measures. The survey results provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Information Campaign and the public's attitude towards energy efficiency. The findings can be used to inform future initiatives aimed at promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption in Ukraine.