More than 22 years ago, several associations jointly founded the children's aid center "Nadezhda" (Hope) near the Belarusian capital Minsk. The center cares for young people affected by the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

The children's aid center relies on an integrated energy concept with the goal of an independent supply from 100 percent renewable energies. In the meantime, a wood heating system and an energy-saving system have already been implemented, and a photovoltaic system is currently under construction. The solar power plant has an output of 600 kilowatts and is scheduled to go into operation in summer 2017. The total costs amount to 790,000 euros.

Mainova AG is supporting the construction of the PV system with subsidies from the Green Electricity certification. The subsidies come from the green electricity product 'Mainova Grünstrom' of the Frankfurt energy supplier. For every kilowatt hour of green electricity consumed, a fixed subsidy amount flows into new renewable energy plants and innovative energy transition projects - guaranteed by the Grüner Strom-Label.

At "Nadezhda", more than 4,000 young people are professionally cared for in socio-educational, psychological and medical programs every year. During the stays at the facility, which last several weeks, the children and young people's sense of responsibility and self-confidence are also strengthened. As a result of the Chernobyl disaster, entire areas of the country have become contaminated and uneconomical, so that in addition to the constant threat of long-term illness, the region's high unemployment and inadequate infrastructure also put a strain on the psyche of those affected.

 _{Part of the integrated energy concept - heat generation
through solar thermal energy and wood (Photo: Leben nach Tschernobyl e.V.)}