The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has introduced a new, community-driven approach to rebuilding schools across the country. This innovative model, guided by the “Build Back Together” principle, places local communities at the heart of the reconstruction process. By beginning recovery with open dialogue, it ensures that the voices of those most affected — parents, teachers, students, and education officials — directly shape the priorities for rebuilding.
In recent weeks, over 260 participants from five schools in Kyiv, Lviv, and Volyn oblasts took part in community meetings to determine reconstruction needs. UNDP Ukraine representative Andrii Podenezhko emphasized that this approach transforms the process by empowering communities to define what their schools truly require. Technical assessments provided by experts are refined through community feedback, resulting in a shared list of priorities that balances safety, functionality, and the lived experience of school life.
Participants identified key needs such as repairing roofs, replacing old windows, upgrading heating systems, and enhancing sports and shelter facilities. Energy efficiency also emerged as a top concern, with broad support for insulation, waterproofing, and the installation of solar panels. Additionally, accessibility improvements — including ramps, adapted entrances, and inclusive learning spaces — were prioritized to ensure safe and comfortable education for all students.
Reconstruction of the five schools will benefit more than 3,100 students and 300 teachers, positively impacting over 5,000 people in total. As the next phase begins, detailed design documentation will be prepared, contractors will be selected through transparent tenders, and construction will commence. Communities will remain engaged at every step, reinforcing transparency and accountability throughout the process.
This initiative represents a significant shift in Ukraine’s recovery strategy — building not only better infrastructure but stronger community trust and ownership. By engaging citizens in decision-making, reconstruction becomes more inclusive and sustainable, transforming damaged schools into modern, resilient, and welcoming spaces for future generations.
According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4), the war has damaged or destroyed over 3,373 educational facilities, with losses exceeding USD 9.6 billion. Around 740,000 children are forced into mixed or remote learning due to unsafe conditions, and more than 40,000 teachers have left the profession since 2022. The projected recovery needs for education through 2035 stand at USD 32.9 billion, with USD 23.7 billion required for rebuilding infrastructure to “Build Back Better” standards. Through the “Re-Envisioning Educational Facilities in Ukraine” project, UNDP and AECID are not only restoring schools but also investing in human capital — laying the foundation for a resilient and inclusive education system in Ukraine’s future.
