Ukraine’s First EIB-Financed Preschool in Vysoke Combines Education, Safety and Hope for Local Families

Ukraine’s First EIB-Financed Preschool in Vysoke Combines Education, Safety and Hope for Local Families

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB), through the Ukraine Recovery Programme, has financed the construction of the first preschool in Vysoke village, Zhytomyr Oblast, at a cost of €812,000. Completed in less than a year, the facility can host 40 children and includes a radiation-protected shelter serving both the school and the local community. Supported by the European Union, UNDP, and Ukrainian authorities, the project is part of a broader recovery effort involving 12 EIB-funded initiatives worth €16 million in the region. The preschool symbolizes hope, safety, and educational opportunity for families amid the ongoing conflict, underscoring the EU’s enduring commitment to rebuilding Ukraine.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 29-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has financed the construction of the first preschool in Vysoke village, Zhytomyr Oblast, under the Ukraine Recovery Programme, providing a vital new educational and community space for local and displaced children. The project, completed in just 11 months at a cost of €812,000, demonstrates the resilience of Ukraine’s communities and the tangible impact of EU-backed recovery efforts.

The new preschool offers capacity for 40 children, providing a safe, modern, and inclusive environment for early learning and development. Designed to meet wartime safety standards, the facility includes a radiation-protected shelter that serves not only the school but also the wider community, ensuring protection during air alerts. The dual-purpose basement structure is accessible after school hours, offering a secure refuge for residents when needed.

Equipped with playrooms, classrooms, medical and service facilities, and a secure outdoor play area, the preschool provides barrier-free access for children and staff with mobility needs. The building exemplifies modern design focused on both safety and accessibility, representing a beacon of renewal in an area deeply affected by war.

The project forms part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, one of three joint EU-EIB recovery initiatives implemented in collaboration with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance, and local authorities, with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Across Zhytomyr Oblast, 12 recovery projects financed by the EIB are either completed or underway, representing a total investment of €16 million. These initiatives encompass the renovation of schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems — essential to maintaining services and improving living standards during wartime.

Teresa Czerwińska, EIB Vice-President responsible for operations in Ukraine, said:
“This new preschool demonstrates how the EIB helps Ukrainian communities rebuild and look forward. It is an investment in education, safety, and resilience — made possible through our close partnership with the European Commission.”

Jocelin Cornet, Head of Section for Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, added:
“Even under constant threat, Ukraine continues to build its future. This preschool is more than a building — it represents safety, learning, and hope for families in Vysoke, and it reaffirms the EU’s commitment to helping Ukrainian communities recover.”

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Development of Communities and Territories, emphasized the importance of partnership:
“Every project like this brings tangible improvements to people’s lives. Together with our EU partners, we are rebuilding Ukraine step by step, using the highest standards.”

Vitalii Bunechko, Head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, highlighted ongoing collaboration:
“The new preschool in Vysoke is our third completed EIB-supported facility in the region, after projects in Guiva and Zhytomyr. Such cooperation reflects international trust and our commitment to efficiently using the resources provided for Ukraine’s recovery.”

Mykola Barduk, Head of the Vysoke Village Council, noted the preschool’s social impact:
“For the first time, families in Vysoke can send their children to a full-day preschool. This gives parents the freedom to work, knowing their children are safe and cared for. The shelter also ensures the entire community has a place of protection in emergencies.”

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, concluded:
“The preschool in Vysoke shows how cooperation between local authorities, the EU, the EIB, and UNDP delivers real results — safe, functional spaces that serve both education and community resilience.”

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 €3.6 billion in financing, with almost two-thirds already disbursed. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing a dedicated window under Pillar 2 of 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, EU Member States and international partners.

EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine

The construction of the kindergarten in Vysoke village in Zhytomyr Oblast was implemented as part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, one of three recovery initiatives supported by the EIB. As of October 2025, 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 Development of Communities and Territories 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.

Media contact:
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SOURCE: European Investment Bank