The European Union has launched a new communication campaign titled ‘Together We Learn & Grow’ showcasing EU support for education and youth in Ukraine in times of war

On September 27, 2024, the All-Ukrainian communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow.The EU and Ukraine creating a common European future” was launched. It is geared to raise awareness on the European Union’s support for Ukrainian education and youth in times of war.

The campaign’s kick-off took place on September 26-29, 2024, as part of the Book Country Festival (Knyzhkova Krayina) at the Expo Centre of Ukraine (VDNG), where the Together We Learn & Grow space welcomed its visitors.

The EU-funded projects presented their programmes and achievements in the themed tents called the Opportunity Space and the Lecture Hall, and also held discussions, lectures, consultations, interactive activities, and musical performances. Teenagers got to know the innovative Collider project about technology, education, pop culture, and history, and those willing could compete in prize quizzes from the Euroquiz and Young European Ambassadors projects. During four days event, the EU’s Educational Space was visited by approximately 14,000 children and adults.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has severely undermined Ukraine’s education. More than 2,800 schools have been damaged or destroyed, and the threat to other schools still remains. Air raids and attacks on energy infrastructure have dramatically changed the learning environment across Ukraine, with more than 5 million Ukrainian schoolchildren, students and their teachers having to switch to online learning in full or partially, and some academic programmes being suspended for a considerable period of time.

However, it is in these circumstances that the capacity of the state and educators to provide quality education for children and young people is critical, as they are the future of the nation and those who will work to rebuild and modernise Ukraine. Therefore, from the very outbreak of the large-scale war, the EU adopted a number of decisions that would effectively narrow the learning gap by applying a comprehensive approach to supporting Ukrainian students, both those studying in Ukraine and those forced to seek asylum in EU member states.

For this purpose, creating a safe learning space for children in Ukraine and supporting schools affected by the war or those of strategic importance, such as VET schools and retraining institutions essential for Ukraine’s recovery, have been added to the traditional lines of support as a matter of priority in times of war. The EU’s wartime programmes also focus on psychological support for students, teachers, and guardians, as well as raising awareness of safe behaviour, including with regard to mine risks. A number of EU-funded projects are tailored to provide professional support to young veterans and to strengthen the role of young people in amalgamated communities.

Along with education, the EU pays attention to creating safe learning environments: significant funds have been channelled to repair educational institutions, set up shelters, and provide generators and school buses. At the same time, students can benefit from EU-supported learning platforms, and receive textbooks, classroom equipment, and modern technology for learning and practice from European partners.

The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová:

“The war in Ukraine is still raging. It has dramatically changed the lives of millions of people, but the younger generation is the most vulnerable, it has been deprived of normal conditions for learning and development. That is why we believe it is crucial to do everything in our power to create a safe learning environment for schoolchildren, students and teachers and provide them with instructional, technical and psychological support. It is unacceptable that Ukrainian children who are forced to study under the threat of shelling and blackouts, far from their home school, without sitting at their desks for months, experiencing emotional pressure, lose precious time and quality of education. They demonstrate extraordinary courage and deserve our full support. It is they who will build a European Ukraine of tomorrow. The communication campaign we are launching today is not only about the outcomes of our work, but also about the opportunities that young Ukrainians can benefit from. By helping Ukrainian children and young people, the European Union is not just fulfilling a political or humanitarian mission, but also investing in our common future”.

The all-Ukrainian ‘Together We Learn & Grow’ communication campaign will run until January 2025 and will cover all the regions of Ukraine, where numerous outreach activities, expert discussions, meetings with representatives and beneficiaries of EU programmes and projects, and media tours will take place.и, експертні дискусії, зустрічі з представниками та бенефіціарами програм та проєктів ЄС, престури.