War-damaged school in Kyiv oblast reopens for new academic year after EU-backed renovation
Children in the village of Lukashi, Kyiv oblast, are starting the new academic year back in their local school for the first time since it was damaged at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Lukashi Lyceum, the only school in the community, has reopened following a major reconstruction supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The renovation has turned the war-damaged building into a modern and accessible educational facility. Works included structural repairs, a new roof, insulated facades and energy-efficient windows and doors, as well as upgrades to heating, ventilation, water, sewage, electrical and lighting systems. The school now also has a protective shelter, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, and upgraded fire and security systems.
The Lyceum will serve 119 students, including children with special educational needs and children from internally displaced families. It will also provide working space for 25 staff members.
The €1.07 million reconstruction was financed with €690,000 from the EIB and €385,000 from the local budget. The EIB financing came through €340 million Ukraine Recovery Programme, which supports the restoration of essential social infrastructure in communities across Ukraine.
The Ukraine Recovery Programme is one of three joint EU–EIB recovery initiatives implemented together with the Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance and local authorities, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“Every Ukrainian child deserves a safe place to learn and the chance to build a brighter future with hope and confidence, despite the challenges of war,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “The restoration of the Lukashi Lyceum allows children to continue their education within their own community, reducing the educational disruptions caused by the war. By rebuilding and modernising the war-damaged school, we help prevent learning losses and equip children with the needed skills and knowledge.”
“Russia’s war against Ukraine is not only destroying school buildings – now it is also attacking the education and future that Ukrainian children deserve,” said Joost Mohlmann, Head of Section for Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment at the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “As the new academic year begins, our hope is that every Ukrainian child can continue to learn in safe and decent conditions, despite the challenges of war. By supporting the restoration of schools like the one in Lukashi village, the European Union is helping communities provide children with the education they need today and the opportunities they deserve for tomorrow.”
“Rebuilding educational facilities is a key investment in our country’s future and in restoring sustainable, stable life in communities. Together with our European partners, we are systematically restoring and developing modern infrastructure so that every student can learn in a safe and comfortable environment,” said Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk.
“Every school we rebuild is more than a completed project - it is an investment in children, in families and in the future of Ukraine. I am deeply grateful to our European partners and the UNDP for standing with Ukrainian communities and helping us turn recovery into tangible, lasting change for people,” said Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine Olga Zykova.
In Kyiv Oblast, the EIB is supporting the restoration of 72 facilities under its three recovery programmes, including schools, preschools, healthcare and municipal infrastructure. Recently completed projects include a renovated primary school in Hostomel, Hatne secondary school and restoration of the water supply system in war-affected Bucha, being implemented in close cooperation with local authorities.
Head of the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Tymur Tkachenkosaid: “Restoring facilities that affect people’s everyday life is a key priority for us. We want people living in the Kyiv region, including those who have found a home here recently after being displaced by the war, to feel the impact of European support in their daily lives. I am grateful to the European Union and its Bank - the EIB - for helping us restore essential facilities and create better conditions for children and families across the region.”
UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma concluded: “The restoration of the Lukashi Lyceum is helping the community overcome the impact of war while creating a safer, more inclusive and more resilient space for children. Together with the EIB and local authorities, UNDP is proud to support recovery that reaches communities where it matters most.”
Background information
The EIB in Ukraine
Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB has stepped up its financial support for the country’s resilience and modernisation since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the EIB has provided €4.5 billion in financing. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing a dedicated window under the Ukraine Facility, the EIB is strongly committed to stepping up and accelerating its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and international partners.
EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine
The reconstruction of the Lyceum in Lukashi village, Kyiv oblast, was implemented as part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, one of three recovery initiatives supported by the EIB. As of August 2026, the EIB has provided €740 million through these programmes to support Ukraine’s recovery. The funding helps the government to restore essential services in communities across the country – including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, housing, heating and water systems. These EIB-backed programmes are further supported by €15 million in EU grants to facilitate implementation. The Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, coordinates and oversees programme implementation, while local authorities and self-government entities are responsible for managing recovery sub-projects. The UNDP in Ukraine provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. More information about the programmes is available here.
Press contact
Olga Sushytska, o.sushytska@eib.org, tel.: +352437986063
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