29-05-2024

Lithuania donates EUR 5 million for reconstruction of schools and kindergartens in Ukraine

On Wednesday, the Government approved the resolution drawn up by the Ministry of Finance to donate EUR 5 million to the education sector of Ukraine. Lithuania’s support will be channelled to reconstruction and adaptation of ruined schools and kindergartens in Ukraine, installing shelters from bombing raids and other safety equipment.

The Minister of Finance Gintarė Skaistė informed about the support to the education sector in Ukraine during her visit to Kyiv in March.

“In the context of on-going russian war against Ukraine, we must help the Ukrainians to sustain their hope for the future. For this reason, the ability even in wartime to educate the younger generation, ensuring learning of children despite a constant risk of raids, is of vital importance. In this regard, investments are needed in reconstruction and adaptation of the ruined country’s educational infrastructure – installing necessary shelters and other security facilities. EUR 5 million donated by Lithuania will supplement our bilateral reconstruction projects implemented in the education sector and contribute to a broader support by the international community“, says Minister of Finance G. Skaistė.

Lithuania’s support will be transferred to the account of the Ministry of Education and Science opened within the National Bank of Ukraine. The funds raised in this account will be used for reconstruction of education and science institutions of the country damaged/destroyed as a result of military actions, also for acquisition of teaching aids and hardware, modernisation of R&D and innovation infrastructure network and security of safe educational environment, including the installation of shelters from bombing raids, as well as for other needs. The funds on bilateral basis will be allocated from funds borrowed on behalf of the State.

According to the assessment made by the World Bank, the damage caused to Ukraine reaches EUR 450 billion, and USD 14 billion is necessary for urgent expenditure forreconstruction in 2024. The support for restoration and reconstruction is mobilised by the EU, Western partners, international financial institutions.

Since the beginning of the war, the support donated by Lithuania to Ukraine reaches 1.5 % of national GDP. The Ministry of Finance actively supports Ukraine through instruments of the European Union and international financial institutions – the amount donated or committed to date in the form of grants and guarantees makes up almost EUR 70 million. EUR 20 million has been transferred to Ukraine on bilateral basis since the beginning of the war.