The European Union has recommended 22 new projects involving 105 organisations from Ukraine for funding under the Erasmus+ Programme for Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education (CBHE) in 2026, the EU Delegation to Ukraine announced on 27 July 2026. The projects focus on sustainable development, education resilience, post-war rebuilding, green and digital transitions, water and climate resilience, and modernisation of STEAM education, among other priorities.
Of the 180 projects proposed for funding globally, Ukraine ranks among the top five countries by number of selected projects. The 22 projects include 15 national, 4 regional, and 3 cross-regional initiatives, involving 194 partners from 29 countries: 79 from EU programme countries and 27 from partner countries, plus 105 Ukrainian entities. The Ukrainian partners comprise 61 higher education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Science, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, the National Qualification Agency, and 10 other organisations including IT clusters, businesses, and NGOs.
Ten Ukrainian universities act as project coordinators, with National University "Kyiv Aviation Institute" leading two projects. Other coordinators include Lviv Polytechnic National University, Poltava V.G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, and National N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Seven partnerships involve six universities relocated from temporarily occupied territories. The most active institutions by number of projects received are Dnipro University of Technology (5), Lviv Polytechnic National University (4), and National N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (4).
Since 2015, the EU has funded 140 CBHE projects for Ukraine under Erasmus+, contributing to higher education reforms, European integration, and post-war reconstruction. The programme supports learning mobility, partnerships, and policy development, with nearly 40 calls for proposals open to Ukrainian organisations.
The initiative impacts several stakeholders. Ukrainian higher education institutions benefit from modernised curricula and international partnerships, but face administrative burdens in managing EU-funded projects. The Ministry of Education gains tools for reform but must coordinate across diverse institutions. EU taxpayers fund the programme, expecting long-term returns in stability and innovation. Ukrainian students and businesses gain access to improved education and skilled graduates, though benefits may take years to materialise.