Finn Church Aid launches EU-Funded project to expand safe and inclusive education in Ukraine 

Finn Church Aid (FCA), with financial support from the European Union, has launched a new humanitarian project aimed at provision of safe, inclusive, and quality education for children and youth in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Poltava oblasts. The initiative also includes psychosocial support for internally displaced people (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities affected by the war. 

THANKS TO THE European Union, 3 million euros will be allocated over two years — from 2025 to 2027 — to reach more than 10,000 students, teachers, and education personnel, contributing to the long-term resilience of Ukraine’s education system. 

“Education is not only a fundamental human right — it is a form of protection and a pathway to national recovery,” said Patricia Maruschak, Country Director of FCA in Ukraine. “We are sincerely grateful to the European Union for making it possible to support displaced children, strengthen teacher capacity, and foster healing across affected communities.” 

“Every child deserves to learn in safety, no matter the circumstances,” said Marianna Franco, the Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid Office in Ukraine. “Through this partnership with Finn Church Aid, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s education system — not just by repairing what war has damaged, but by helping build a more resilient, inclusive future for all children.”

Key Project Components: 

• Safe learning environments: Four protective shelters in schools will be rehabilitated and equipped, enabling 2,400 children to study in safer conditions. 
• Catch-up learning: In collaboration with FCA’s Ukrainian partner, the public association “Osvitoria”, 1,500 children will access non-formal education, while 315 teachers will be trained to support learners affected by educational disruption. 
• Psychosocial support: Over 10,000 students and education professionals will receive mental health and psychosocial services, including recreational kits and psychological first aid. 
• Child protection: 800 education staff will be trained in protection-sensitive approaches. An integrated referral mechanism will be implemented across regions to connect children to essential services. 
• Emergency preparedness: More than 600 students will participate in the development and implementation of emergency action plans. Learning kits will also be distributed to ensure education continuity in times of crisis. 

FCA will implement the project in close cooperation with local authorities, schools, and communities, ensuring that every child — regardless of background or displacement status — has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in safety. 

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For media inquiries, please contact: 
Veronika Korobko, Communications Coordinator, Finn Church Aid 
veronika.korobko@kua.fi 

Main photo: Antti Yrjönen/FCA

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Since May 2022, in response to the war in Ukraine, FCA has implemented the “Education in Emergencies” programme — supporting students and teachers in frontline areas.  

FCA creates digital learning centres, temporary learning spaces, and rehabilitates school shelters. It also provides psychosocial support and develops school curricula.  

FCA supports the reform of vocational education in Ukraine by modernising institutions and supporting IDPs and youth to gain employable skills. Together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, FCA has created a national expert network for knowledge exchange.  

Find out more about our work in Ukraine.