Lithuania Rebuilt School in Borodyanka: 700 children return to school with the largest standalone shelter
One of the three schools in war-torn Borodyanka, Ukraine, rebuilt with Lithuania’s support, reopened its doors on March 15, 2024. Ready to welcome 700 students from first to eleventh grade, the institution is now named Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum No.1.
The almost 8 million euro project was funded by the Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, with 1.8 million euro contribution by the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania for the indoor equipment, furniture and outdoor infrastructure. Initiated by the Lithuanian government, the school’s reconstruction was implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
According to the Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation, Aušrinė Armonaitė, Lithuania is helping to rebuild Ukraine's destroyed cities without waiting for the end of the war, and has already allocated more than €14 million for the reconstruction of a temporary settlement, reconstruction of schools, kindergartens and other projects. In addition, the B2Lithuania platform has enabled Lithuanian businesses to actively participate in Ukraine's infrastructure reconstruction projects by registering and contributing to Ukrainian reconstruction projects. "Together we will rebuild Ukraine and together we will achieve victory for all of us," the Minister said at the opening ceremony of the Lyceum.
The opening was also attended by the Chancellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chairperson of the Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Inga Černiuk, the Ambassador Valdemaras Sarapinas, the Deputy Director of CPVA Rasa Suraučienė, the Deputy head of Kyiv military administration Zhanna Osypenko, mayor of Borodyanka Iryna Zakharchenko.
"The rebuilding of school in Borodyanka embodies the collective determination of Taiwan, and Lithuania to help Ukraine to overcome the challenges and rebuild the foundation of hope for the younger generation. Taiwan is proud to join this project with Lithuania, our collaboration emphasizes the importance of fostering strong ties and working towards a common goal—peace and prosperity for all," said Representative Constance Wang of the Taiwanese Representative office in Lithuania.
Creators of a new Ukraine will grow up here
"Children cannot be targets of war. Attacks against children are terrorism. The newly opened Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum is a sign of hope and a sign of Ukraine's imminent victory. When Ukraine wins against Russia's barbaric aggression, the graduates of this school will be the creators of a new Ukraine. We must mobilise all our efforts to ensure that this happens as soon as possible," said Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian Ministrer of Foreign Affairs.
"Rebuilding Ukraine's education system is one of Lithuania's priorities in supporting Ukraine. Each school or kindergarten, whether rebuilt or new, represents more than an educational space — it symbolizes Ukraine's resilience, strength, and optimism for the future, emphasizing that Ukraine is not alone in this fight," says CPVA Deputy Director Rasa Suraucienė.
A revived school and an underground shelter
The school building in Borodyanka, is practically raised from ruins. It has now been transformed into a completely new, modern three-story building. The classrooms are equipped with smart boards and interactive tables for primary education. Teachers' workspaces are furnished with computers, printers, and other educational devices. The school's recreation areas are decorated with paintings by Ukrainian artist Julia Trypolska.
A first-of-its-kind standalone underground shelter adjacent to the school was built within the project. It can accommodate up to 800 people at a time. The school is connected to the shelter by an annex with an elevator and staircase; the shelter also has a direct exit to the outdoors.
The new experience of building a standalone shelter next to a school has initiated a program for constructing six more shelters of this kind across Ukraine, funded by the European Union and Lithuania, with a total allocation of 15.5 million euros. CPVA will be responsible for the project implementation.
Striving to scale recovery of Ukraine’s destroyed educational infrastructure, the agency is also implementing the Lithuanian Government's initiative to create an adaptive project design "Future School for Ukraine". An international architectural competition for this project has currently been announced. The best-selected project, adapted to local environments, will be used for school construction across Ukraine.
About CPVA: The Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) has been actively operating in Ukraine since 2017. Last year, the agency implemented the restoration project of the "Ruta" kindergarten in Irpin, which was 75 % damaged during attacks on Ukraine. Currently, it is also taking care of the furnishing, internal equipment, and environment arrangement of the kindergarten in Borodyanka, reconstructed with funds from the US non-governmental organization "Hope Foundation". Another educational project under implementation is anti-radiation shelter construction for one more kindergarten in Irpin. The agency, with its long-standing experience in managing EU and international donor program portfolios, currently manages assets worth 16.6 billion euros, of which 125 million euros are dedicated for Ukraine
About the Fund for the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid: The aim of the Fund is to support the implementation of a flexible, responsive and results-oriented development cooperation policy and to enable Lithuanian public and private sector institutions to implement large-scale, high value-added projects in partner countries. The work of the Fund Governing Board is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. The CPVA is acting as the Fund's administrator and secretariat.