New underground school opens in the frontline Sumy region with funding from the EU, Lithuania, and Ireland

A new, modern underground school has opened in the Sumy region under the “New Underground Shelters for Ukrainian Schools” programme.

Built as a dual-purpose shelter with a 100-year service life, the facility operates as a fully equipped underground school designed to ensure uninterrupted learning during constant emergencies in the Sumy region - one of Ukraine's most targeted border areas. Sharing a long border with Russia, the region faces near-constant artillery shelling, air strikes, and frequent power outages.

After four years of online-only learning due to a lack of shelter, students can now return to safe in-person learning in underground classes. Featuring 12 fully equipped classrooms with a 500-person capacity, the facility will operate in shifts to offer lessons, extracurriculars, and sports to every student.

Initiated and funded by the European Union and Lithuania, with support from the Republic of Ireland, the project was implemented by the Lithuanian International Partnership Center to strengthen safety and ensure continuous education for local children amid constant Russian missile and drone attacks.

The opening of the school on September 4, 2026, was attended by representatives of the European Union, including Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine; Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania; Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Ukraine; Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Oleh Hryhorov, representative of the Sumy Regional Military Administration; and Artem Kobzar, Acting Mayor of the City of Sumy.

“Every child in Ukraine has the right to learn in safety, and the opening of this underground school in Sumy is a powerful demonstration of what solidarity can achieve. In a region facing relentless Russian attacks, this new facility means that hundreds of children can return to the classroom, learn together, and continue to build their future. This is not only an investment in resilient education infrastructure – it is an investment in Ukraine’s children, its communities and the country’s future.” - 

Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine.

The total project value is €2.4 million. Completed in under a year, the newly constructed facility spans over 1,350 square meters.

“Ukraine’s recovery cannot wait until the war is over. It starts when a child can return to a classroom, when communities have protected spaces and when we rebuild not only what was destroyed, but what will make Ukraine stronger and more resilient.” - Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

The shelter features modern, technology-equipped classrooms, computer labs, and sports zones integrated with advanced ventilation, climate control, and fire safety systems. To maintain continuous operation during Russian attacks, a double-protected backup generator ensures full energy resilience.

“The war has changed our lives, but it must not steal the opportunity for Ukrainian children to learn, connect with their peers, and be part of school life. That is why we continue to create safe conditions for children to return to in-person learning. The opening of a new shelter in Sumy allows hundreds of children to go back to school and study offline once again. We are grateful to the European Union, Lithuania, and Ireland for supporting Ukrainian education.” - Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.

“Prioritising institutions completely unable to operate offline due to missing shelter infrastructure was precisely the core objective of the school selection process. Quality in-person education for Ukraine’s younger generation is essential to the country's future success – these are the people who will rebuild Ukraine, and they need our support today. Restoring safe access to education also gives families a reason to stay in their home communities and help sustain local economies.” - Artūras Žarnovskis, Ukraine Recovery and Peace Programmes Coordinator, Lithuanian International Partnerships Center.

This shelter programme and the experience gained through its implementation laid the foundation for the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition for Ukraine. The initiative aims to strengthen the safety of civilians amid ongoing Russian attacks. Led by Ukraine and Finland together with Team Europe partners, the Coalition supports the development of modern shelters across Ukraine, including in schools, hospitals, and public spaces.

Beyond protecting children, the project in Sumy supported the social and economic reintegration of Ukrainian war veterans by engaging them in reconstruction efforts. Ukrainian veterans accounted for more than 11% of the project's construction workforce.

About the “New Underground Shelters for Ukrainian Schools”

“New Underground Shelters for Ukrainian Schools” programme aims to develop safe and modern dual-purpose shelter spaces in frontline and heavily affected regions. 

Schools in six regions of Ukraine were selected for the implementation of the programme, prioritising institutions which are unable to operate offline due to missing shelter infrastructure. The first shelter was completed in the Odesa region, followed by the Sumy region, with the Zaporizhzhia region set for completion in 2026. The Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions are next in line. 

The programme is initiated and funded by the EU and Lithuania, with support from the Republic of Ireland.