Over 21,000 children return to renovated schools thanks to EU and UNDP

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have completed a comprehensive initiative to restore educational infrastructure — the “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” project — implemented in partnership with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

The project covered 66 schools across 11 oblasts affected by war. Thanks to renovated premises, upgraded shelters and newly supplied equipment, more than 21,600 students and teachers have been able to return to safe and conducive learning conditions.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, emphasised that restoring critical infrastructure, including schools, is key to ensuring stable communities and confidence in the future. “This is not only about rebuilding physical structures – it is about creating safe spaces, fostering a sense of dignity and hope,” Kuleba said. “Recovery of the country starts in communities — when parents can work, when children return to school safely, when life begins to flow again.”

According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4), 3,373 educational institutions across Ukraine have been partially or fully damaged since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has made significant progress in adapting its educational infrastructure to wartime conditions. The percentage of schools equipped with bomb shelters has increased from 68% to 80%, while schools able to offer fully in-person education have more than doubled, rising from 25% to 57%.

The “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” project responded to the urgent need to ensure continuous access to education for children amid war. The restored and re-equipped schools received new roofs, windows, heating systems, furniture, and safe shelters. In nine schools across Mykolaiv and Zhytomyr oblasts, upgraded shelters enabled 1,979 students and 300 teachers to return to face-to-face learning. In 112 schools, the learning environment was improved with new desks, chairs, bookcases, and blackboards.

Marianna Franco, the Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine and Moldova, underlined the European Union’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukrainian children and ensuring continuity of learning despite the challenges of war. “For the European Union, Ukraine is a top priority. And it will continue to be a top priority. Ensuring that the children caught up in the conflict have access to quality education is also a priority, and we work with partners to create the necessary conditions so that children can continue their education. Building back better also means building a better future – and this begins with education.”

Supported by the EU and UNDP, all schools were upgraded in line with the “Build Back Better” principle — meaning not only restoring them to their pre-war condition, but also improving their safety, accessibility, and resilience to future risks.

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, noted that the “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” project is also an investment in human capital — the cornerstone of Ukraine’s long-term recovery. “The combination of online learning, war-related stress and displacement has already led to a loss equivalent to two years of schooling for many Ukrainian children, as reported,” Cilliers said. “Restoring schools and bringing students back to in-person education is a systemic solution to help prevent future economic losses for the country.”

Background:

The schools were rehabilitated as part of the “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” initiative, implemented by UNDP in Ukraine with financial support from the European Union.

The project covered the renovation of 66 and re-equipment of 112 educational institutions across 11 oblasts of Ukraine: Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Lviv, Kirovohrad and Poltava.

The selected institutions — coordinated with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development — had a damage level not exceeding 60%. The scope of work included roof and window replacement, repairs of heating and sanitary systems, refurbishment of bomb shelters, improvement of accessibility, and other essential repair interventions.

Media enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org

www.undp.org