EU programme for schools in Ukraine: new bomb shelter opens in Odesa region

On 24 April, the first newly built underground shelter under the EU-funded ‘New Bomb Shelters for Ukrainian Schools’ programme was officially opened in Molodizhne, Odesa region.

The state-of-the-art facility will provide a safe learning environment for 700 students, allowing them to return to offline education amid ongoing security challenges. The large-scale construction was built from scratch and successfully completed in less than a year. The shelter can also serve as an underground school, cultural centre, and youth hub.

The programme is initiated and funded by the European Union and the Republic of Lithuania and co-financed by the Government of Ireland. A total of €2.4 million was allocated for the first shelter’s construction, with approximately €75,000 spent on interior equipment and furniture.

The opening event brought together the local community and children, along with the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, the Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Stefan Schleuning, and the Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine, Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė.

“The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has deprived many children of the safety and stability essential for learning and development. With the opening of the new shelter in Molodizhne, the EU is contributing to the creation of a secure environment where children can continue their education,” said Stefan Schleuning from the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

At the opening event, Minister Lisovyi said that because of Russia’s full-scale invasion, nearly one in seven schools in Ukraine has been destroyed or damaged, and about 430,000 students have no access to in-person learning.

“Currently, over 100 underground schools are being built in Ukraine with funding from the state budget,” said Lisovyi. “Every contribution from our partners to infrastructure restoration and educational support is of immense value.”

According to the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency (CPVA), which implemented the project, the new shelter construction meets the latest standards and requirements for underground shelters. It consists of 24 rooms serving different functions.

Another initiative — the provision of solar panels for Molodizhne Lyceum — was launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CPVA and Velykodolynska Settlement Council. The initiative is part of a Lithuanian programme aimed at installing solar power systems in schools, hospitals, and other critical facilities across Ukraine.

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