Safe Return to Learning Consortium Marks Major Milestones, Impacting Over 120,000 in Ukraine’s Education Sector
The Safe Return to Learning - Ukraine Education Response Consortium, a collaborative initiative led by Finn Church Aid, Save the Children, People in Need and War Child Holland is proud to announce significant achievements in restoring safe and inclusive education for children affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Since its inception in July 2022, the Consortium has reached over 120,000 students, teachers, and parents across eight oblasts in Ukraine, with lasting contributions to educational infrastructure, psychosocial support, and teacher capacity building.
To ensure access to quality learning, the Consortium has restored, equipped or created 193 learning spaces, with 12 more currently underway. These include comprehensive renovations of school buildings and bomb shelters, the setup of temporary learning spaces, and the launch of digital learning centers, collectively serving more than 80,000 students. The rehabilitation of schools and shelters has been particularly crucial in enabling children to return to in-person learning where possible. Overall, these efforts have been pivotal in re-establishing a sense of normalcy and safety in areas most affected by the ongoing war.
Basak Kara, Consortium Manager, reflected on the Consortium’s collective impact:
“Our work has focused on carefully coordinated solutions to help children and teachers navigate the realities of living and learning during a crisis. At its core, this work is about restoring a sense of normalcy for children and reaffirming schools as safe, trusted spaces where hope can take root again. Thanks to the joint commitment of the four partners, we’ve been able to bring back education where it was most shattered by war. We are profoundly grateful for the European Union’s financial support, which has sustained and empowered this mission over the past three years.”
In response to the deep psychological impact of the crisis on children and educators, the Consortium has made psychosocial support a cornerstone of its approach. Over 25,000 students and teachers have accessed services designed to foster emotional well-being and resilience. Furthermore, 3,000 teachers have received training in Psychological First Aid (PFA), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Mine Risk Education, and Integrated Referral Mechanisms. A key element of the Consortium’s protection-focused programming has been the delivery of mine-risk education to 5,427 students, empowering them with vital life-saving knowledge in high-risk areas. Additionally, 250 education personnel have been trained in integrated referral mechanisms, enhancing child protection responses within the education system and ensuring children in need are connected to essential services.
Recognizing the urgent need to mitigate learning loss, the Consortium has introduced catch-up education initiatives across priority regions. So far, 200 teachers and school administrators have been trained and mentored to deliver remedial education programs, and 2,500 children have already enrolled in catch-up classes, with enrollment continuing to grow.
Patricia Maruschak, Country Director for Finn Church Aid in Ukraine, states: “The scale and complexity of challenges facing Ukraine’s education system demand a united response. Through the Safe Return to Learning Consortium, we’ve shown that working together delivers real, lasting impact — from restoring safe learning spaces to supporting the mental health of children and teachers. Our partnership is about more than pooling resources; it’s about sharing a vision: that every child, even in the midst of crisis, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and hope.”
Sonia Khush, Country Director for Save the Children in Ukraine, underlined the program’s meaningful contribution: “I am thankful to our partners who have supported Ukrainian children in their need for safe, quality, and inclusive education. Thousands of students are now forced to seek alternatives to traditional schools—safe spaces to study—due to constant air alerts, ongoing shelling, and missile attacks. Many children have witnessed the destruction of their homes and schools, and the loss of loved ones. Only with international support can we continue to assist those in need. I am truly grateful that, through our joint efforts, we have been able to help so many students and teachers rebuild hope, safety, and a future for children affected by war.”
“Sustainable support begins with long-term impact in mind. By strengthening local education systems — from empowering teachers to enhancing learning environments and psychosocial support — and working in close collaboration with national efforts, we help ensure that today’s solutions continue to benefit children for years to come”, concludes Anna Duda, Country Director for People in Need Ukraine.
As the Consortium moves forward, it remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that every child in Ukraine has the opportunity to learn, heal, and thrive — no matter the circumstances.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Olena Budagovska, Head of Advocacy and Communications Department, People in Need Ukraine [email protected]
About the Consortium
The Safe Return to Learning Consortium is a joint initiative of Finn Church Aid, Save the Children, People in Need and War Child Holland with financial support from the European Union. It works to ensure access to safe, quality, and inclusive education for children and educators affected by the war in Ukraine.
