The European Union is providing €2 million under the Ukraine Facility to the savED Charitable Foundation for an 18-month project that will restore safe access to in-person learning for children in the Mykolaiv and Sumy regions, running from summer 2026 through the end of 2027. The initiative, announced on 6 August 2026 by the EU Delegation to Ukraine, combines the construction of educational infrastructure with learning loss recovery programs in communities severely affected by the war.
Under the project, two Education Recovery Centers will be built in Mykolaiv region, while in Sumy region a shelter will be renovated and fully equipped, allowing the local school to resume in-person or blended learning in line with safety standards. In 2027, two cycles of catch-up programs will be implemented across the new educational spaces, the renovated shelter, and 40 schools in Mykolaiv region. The catch-up curriculum covers Ukrainian language, mathematics, English, history of Ukraine, and primary school subjects, with children studying in small groups and progress measured through diagnostic tools and final monitoring assessments.
Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Section for Public Finance, Business Support, and Social Policies at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said the project reflects the EU's solidarity with Ukraine and its commitment to supporting Ukrainian children and strengthening community resilience, as many children continue to face the consequences of Russia's war, including destroyed schools and persistent security risks. Anna Novosad, co-founder of savED, called the agreement with the European Commission a great honor and responsibility, expressing pride that savED enjoys such trust from the Commission and the Delegation.
The project is designed to deliver both immediate and lasting benefits. Communities will gain modern, safe educational infrastructure that enables children to return to in-person or blended learning, with upgraded spaces and secure shelters ensuring continuity even during air raid alerts. The catch-up programs aim to help students address learning gaps, regain academic knowledge, and strengthen socio-emotional skills, while collaboration with local educators is intended to build a sustainable support system that endures beyond the project's completion.
The initiative aligns with the priorities of Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science and with international recommendations on safe, uninterrupted access to education in war-affected communities. By supporting the return of families and rebuilding human capital, the project marks another step in Ukraine's recovery, though its success will depend on sustained security conditions and the effective implementation of the planned infrastructure and educational activities.