A new chapter begins for children and families in Ukraine. On October 14, the SOS Children’s Villages organisations in Ukraine and Denmark officially broke ground in Lviv for the first of three Children’s Living Places.

Originally conceived as a prototype neighbourhood in Jernbanebyen, Copenhagen, Living Places showed how homes can cut carbon emissions by two-thirds and deliver an indoor climate three times better than standard homes. Now, this concept is being adapted to the Ukrainian context – helping rebuild homes, communities, and hope.

“The Living Places concept was conceived as a lighthouse project to demonstrate how rethinking buildings can help address some of the global climate and health challenges. Seeing it come to life in Lviv as part of Ukraine’s recovery is deeply meaningful. Beyond its record-low CO2 impact, the project was designed to offer a best-in-class indoor climate and to foster community. We couldn’t be happier to see it now providing safe homes and a sense of belonging for foster families in Ukraine,” says Tina Lund Højgaard, partner, EFFEKT Architects.

Construction in Lviv is expected to be completed in early 2026, with two additional locations to follow.

Children’s Living Places is initiated by SOS Children’s Villages Denmark in partnership with SOS Children's Villages Ukraine. The buildings will be built following the Living Places principles developed by the VELUX Group, EFFEKT and Artelia.

The coalition behind Children’s Living Places consists of SOS Children’s Villages in Ukraine, SOS Børnebyerne, Villum Fonden, Viessmann Foundation, Grundfos Foundation | PDJF, Bitten & Mads Clausens Foundation, DOVISTA, SOMFY FOUNDATION, VELUX Ukraine, Artelia, Kromann Reumert, DFDS, iC Cube, Archymatyka and the @Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO).