Programs of Team4UA
Programs of Team4UA
Entrepreneurs and representatives of humanitarian organizations established the charitable organization Team4UA in the midst of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The founders were driven by the aim of providing assistance to vulnerable individuals and to generally address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Team4UA seeks to meet the basic needs of people affected by the war with innovative, sustainable, and socially responsible solutions.
With 45 employees working across Ukraine and 250 volunteers on the front lines, our projects reach out to populations from Lviv to Donetsk Oblast, with some special attention to Mykolaiv and Kherson Oblasts. From emergency aid to efforts in recovery and reconstruction, Team4UA utilizes innovation guided by the needs of Ukrainians for Ukrainians.
Team4UA was initiated together with international and national partners to pursue long-term missions. The charity fund welcomes any new partner that is willing to join us in delivering a meaningful impact. Our organisation has a program that deals with reconstruction of Ukraine as a country aiming for the future.
HIVE: Reconstruction with 3D concrete printing
The Russian full-scale invasion caused a terrible humanitarian situation, forcing millions of people to flee their homes. Infrastructure, buildings, and houses were severely damaged or destroyed. Over 13 million Ukrainians have left their homes, with about 8 million being internally displaced persons throughout the country. The consequences of the war and Russian shelling are estimated at over $400 billion by the World Bank. At least 150,000 houses, 3,500 schools, and 750 bridges were damaged or destroyed.
Such figures continue to rise daily due to ongoing military actions and destruction. In addition to saving lives and providing short-term assistance, efforts must be made in reconstruction to pave the way for economic recovery and growth. At the same time, millions of displaced Ukrainians currently need to return to a normal and dignified life. To meet these needs, Team4UA introduced 3D concrete printing in Ukraine as a long-term solution. This program was developed in partnership with the Danish manufacturer of 3D printers, Cobod International, one of the world leaders in 3D concrete printing.
3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is an advanced technology that uses software to control the placement of materials to create a 3D object or structure using a robotic printer without standard formwork. This allows for the creation of complex geometries in a fully automated mode, providing greater efficiency in constructing complex concrete objects. This provides absolute freedom in architectural creativity and design.
The key advantages compared to traditional construction are numerous. Automation allows a team of 5 workers to operate per printer, reducing labor costs, minimizing risks, and increasing accuracy. The speed and quick execution allow printing up to 1 meter per minute. Environmental friendliness is ensured by efficient material use, waste reduction, the possibility of using only local materials or recycled debris from demolished buildings, and a smaller amount of cement than the standard concrete recipe, providing results 6 times stronger.
Reducing environmental impact involves reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70% compared to conventional construction methods through material savings of up to 50% with less cement in the concrete recipe. 3D concrete printing technology has already been tested in several countries worldwide, such as the USA, Germany, Kenya, Malawi, and others, for residential and commercial projects.
Team4UA, in collaboration with the Lviv City Council, international experts, and local partners, launched a pilot project for a 3D-printed educational building covering an area of 506 square meters for internally displaced and local children living in densely populated areas of Lviv. For the first time in the world, 3D printing for construction was used for a school in a conflict zone. It is the largest 3D-printed educational facility in the world. Supported by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine, this pilot project was completed in 40 hours. The building with 4 classrooms is designed to accommodate 100 elementary school students in the morning and about 100 students after school. The building is an inclusive space capable of accommodating all categories of students, including those with special needs. At the same time, this will help 100 families annually to be less constrained in their professional activities, as they will not need to take care of their children at home during distance learning, as children will have space for learning and extracurricular activities. Responding to local needs, Team4UA staff and Ukrainian partners have achieved specific results from using this technology.
In addition to printing, Team4UA seeks financial partners willing to contribute to this innovative project and to complete the overall construction phase of the school up to its opening - as soon as possible. The global goal remains to demonstrate the feasibility of using 3D concrete printing technology for faster, more efficient, and more sustainable recovery through a scaled model. Team4UA is open to new partners who share the same goal from both the public and private sectors and are interested in supporting or participating in this innovative approach to Ukraine's recovery.
