The Government of Ukraine, together with Team Europe, has inaugurated the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition, a major initiative aimed at protecting civilians from Russia’s ongoing missile and drone attacks. The Coalition seeks to transition Ukraine from relying on ad-hoc shelters to establishing a nationwide modern civil protection shelter network, prioritizing frontline communities and regions most affected by attacks. Anchored in Ukraine’s Strategy for the Development of the Fund of Civil Protection Structures up to 2034, the Coalition is led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service and brings together Team Europe partners, including Finland as co-chair, the European Union, Lithuania, Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden, alongside international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank.
At the launch, Team Europe partners announced an initial €22 million in grants, with further commitments expected from additional partners including Switzerland and Slovakia. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Coalition is not solely about financial support but also involves pooling technology, engineering expertise, and lessons from democratic states with longstanding civil protection systems. Finland highlighted its co-chair role and financial participation, underscoring the initiative’s focus on safeguarding civilians while strengthening Ukraine’s capacities and creating market opportunities for the private sector. Lithuania stressed the importance of dual-use shelters that allow children to return to school and help communities regain stability, while the EU emphasized investments in safe rooms under schools, hospitals, and residential buildings to provide immediate protection for civilians.
The European Investment Bank highlighted its role in supporting Ukraine’s infrastructure for over a decade and stressed the critical importance of modern, accessible shelters for learning, healthcare, and daily life under constant threat. Over the next decade, Ukraine plans to construct thousands of new civil protection shelters and upgrade existing ones wherever feasible. The Coalition will assist Ukrainian authorities in mapping shelter needs, setting minimum standards, designing inclusive and accessible facilities, and mobilizing financing. Dual-use shelters will serve as schools, health centers, or community facilities in normal times and as safe havens during air raids.
The Coalition will operate along four main lines: strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian authorities and local communities, coordinating donors and implementing partners, supporting the construction and rehabilitation of dual-use shelters, and developing sustainable funding models that combine grants with concessional finance from international institutions. This initiative builds on existing Team Europe programmes, such as the EU–Lithuania–Ireland school shelter project, which has already constructed inclusive dual-use shelters in high-risk areas, allowing children to resume in-person learning. The Coalition remains open to additional EU member states, international partners, and financial institutions willing to support Ukraine’s long-term shelter system, with the aim of scaling up construction and upgrades across the country.
The initiative reflects Ukraine’s response to the ongoing destruction caused by Russia’s invasion, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread damage to housing and public infrastructure. Civil protection shelters are essential not only to safeguard lives but also to ensure that schools, hospitals, and other basic services can continue operating amid repeated attacks. The Shelter Coalition supports the implementation of Ukraine’s national strategy to move from inconsistent, ad-hoc shelters to a planned, standards-based network that enhances the country’s civil protection capacity and resilience.
