Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022, and its ongoing brutal war of aggression, now in its third year, have caused unprecedented suffering to the people of the country and enormous damage to Ukraine's economy, infrastructure, social and natural environment. According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 14.6 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes. Tens of thousands have died defending their country or as victims of Russian attacks. According to the joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4), the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is $524 billion (€506 billion) over the next decade, which is approximately 2.8 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2024. As of February 2024, approximately 156,000 square kilometres or 25% of Ukraine's territory is contaminated with mines and other explosives. Despite the difficult situation, Ukraine is determined to defeat the aggressor and rebuild the country.
Lithuania strongly supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Ukraine's path towards full EU and NATO membership. Ukraine's victory, its sustainable development and Euro-Atlantic integration are in Lithuania's national interest, hence Lithuania is not only providing military support to Ukraine, but it is also contributing to its reconstruction, recovery and reform efforts, helping to build a free, resilient, and prosperous state.
Ukraine has been one of Lithuania's most important development cooperation partners for the last twenty years. During this period, Lithuania has implemented almost 300 bilateral and regional projects. Most of the projects carried out before the war focused on institutional capacity building and support to democratic processes. Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, additional focus went to rebuilding and developing Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Lithuania was one of the first countries to launch projects to rebuild education institutions and install shelters as early as August 2022. We also have a successful track record of implementing EU programmes, such as the European Peace Facility, demining, and support for public financial management.
Principles of Lithuania's activities in Ukraine: |
Synergy between Ukraine's needs and Lithuania's added value - we act where there is the greatest need and where we have something to offer because of our expertise, experience, competence, and/or (political) commitment.
Specialisation and scalability - we allocate resources and energy to activities that have the potential for sustainability, repeatability, and expansion. When choosing what and how to fund, we prioritise initiatives that have the capacity to grow, attract international funding and partners, and align with the principles of impactful investment.
Enabling projects and co-creation - we prioritise projects that provide the tools, skills, knowledge and resources needed for long-term and sustainable national progress. We encourage collaboration between Lithuanian and Ukrainian institutions and organisations to develop innovative solutions and methods of operation.
Partnerships and internationalization - we prioritise projects that leverage the involvement of civil society organisations, businesses, or international donors to create greater added value and enhance practical impact.
Priority areas of Lithuania's engagement into Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery |
Strong institutions - the basis for Ukraine's EU membership and sustainable recovery.
We contribute to strengthening public sector capacities and skills, aiming to promote good governance, and enhance efficiency, accountability, and inclusiveness.
strengthening the capacity of the Agency for Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine in the areas of public procurement, internal control, and anti-corruption, and supporting the preparation of technical public investment projects – completed and integrated into larger EU programme;
"Lithuania's Support for Ukraine's EU Integration" provided support to Ukrainian institutions on issues related to Euro-integration, including the coordination and content of EU accession negotiations. It covered strategic consultations, assistance in preparing for reviews, and capacity building activities – completed and developed into larger EU programme;
the Lithuanian authorities have implemented 14 Twinning projects in Ukraine (worth around EUR 19.4 million), with the most significant reform assistance in the areas of border security and customs, the judiciary, food and veterinary services, and the strengthening of state institutions.
at the initiative of Lithuania and Poland, an OECD Office for Ukraine opened up in Kyiv in March 2022 to support the OECD Ukraine Country Programme, which provides practical assistance to Ukraine in implementing the reform agenda (including in the areas of tax and financial management, competitiveness, public administration, and the fight against corruption) that is essential to the EU accession process.
Flagship programmes:
Click to download "Create Ukraine"
Ukraine2EU (2025-2027) - an EU programme co-funded by the European Commission, Denmark, Sweden, and Lithuania, and implemented by Lithuania’s Development Agency (CPVA), aims to support Ukraine’s progressive alignment with the EU acquis and its broader European integration efforts, with a view toward future EU membership. This umbrella initiative coordinates all donor contributions to Ukraine’s European integration, placing particular emphasis on strengthening state mechanisms for managing the EU accession process and implementing related reforms.
EU4Reconstruction (2025-2027) – an EU programme uniting Denmark, Germany, France, and Lithuania focuses on capacity building and standards development to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. The programme comprises five components: support for the transformation of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine; empowerment of local governance; transformation of the State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine; improvement of construction standards; and enhanced civil society engagement. In collaboration with Denmark, Lithuania will support the State Agency’s transition into a European standards-based institution equipped to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and manage future EU funding.
Safe and quality education - we implement infrastructure projects ((re)constructing education institutions, building and equipping anti-radiation shelters for them) and aim to expand the number of "soft impact" projects (focusing on improving the quality of education, providing trainings for students, professional development, re-skilling).
Since 2019, Lithuania has been directly implementing projects to rehabilitate Ukraine's education infrastructure (schools, kindergartens, including the installation of shelters).
Renovation of the school in Borodyanka town (2022-2024) – a newly renovated school building accommodate up to 700 pupils across grades 1 to 11. In additional to complete reconstruction, the facility now includes: newly constructed underground shelter to safeguard students during air raids; upgraded outdoor infrastructure, including pathways, lighting, and sports fields; modern furnishings, computers, and educational equipment to support learning. In addition to infrastructure improvements, peer learning between Ukrainian – Lithuanian teachers and students organized in Vilnius and Borodyanka.
Kindergarten Renovation in Irpin (2022-2023) - a fully renovated kindergarten for 450 children and 60 staff members was reopened on August 24, 2023 - just eight months after project initiation. The facility, which had suffered 75% destruction due to Russian military actions, was rebuilt and equipped with a new safety shelter, modern furniture, educational equipment, and upgraded outdoor infrastructure including playgrounds. As part of the project, 34 pre-school educators from Irpin visited Lithuania to exchange best practices and strengthen professional collaboration.
EU programme "Construction of new shelters for Ukrainian schools", co-funded by Lithuania and Ireland, and implemented by Lithuania‘s Development Agency CPVA aims to bring children back to school and ensure safe contact education by building anti-radiation, dual-purpose shelters near schools. The first underground shelter, serving as an underground school, was opened in Molodizhne (Odesa region) in April, 5 other shelters are under construction. Lithuania, together with Finland and Ukraine, intends to scale this initiative through the Shelter Coalition.
"Future school for Ukraine" – together with Ukrainian and Italian architects, we have created an adaptive technical (architectural) project for building new schools across Ukraine. This adaptive project will enable immediate funding opportunities, significantly shorten planning and construction timelines, and reduce costs. The project focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the use of cutting-edge technologies, contributing to a modern and resilient educational system for Ukraine's future. Lithuania prepares to build the first such school in Zhytomir, and other partners are welcome to join.
“Bridging Education Gaps in Ukraine: CATCH-UP and STEAM Classes for Resilient Learning“ - a programme for Ukrainian children in Odesa region to address the challenges of prolonged distance learning, lack of socialisation and lower performance. The programme is designed to support 650 pupils through a comprehensive approach that includes developing methodology for catch-up classes, providing training for teachers, and offering salaries for those leading extracurricular activities. It also covers logistics to ensure students can safely access the newly constructed bomb shelter. In addition, the programme features psycho-social support aimed at building resilience, enhancing creativity, and integrating practical applications of the STEAM educational approach.
Physical and psychosocial rehabilitation and reintegration of war victims - we aim to contribute to the development of rehabilitation infrastructure and services, enhance the skills of medical professionals, and to develop standards and best practices that can be applied in other rehabilitation centres.
Resilient and growing economy - we aim to contribute to improving the conditions for economic growth and attracting investment, including the ensuring of energy needs and transport connections, especially with EU countries, sustainable development of territories, and humanitarian demining.
One of the major achievements of 2024 was the reconstruction of School No. 1 in Borodyanka (Kyiv region), which had been destroyed and heavily damaged by military attacks. A total of €8 million was allocated for the project, including a €1.8 million contribution from the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania. Rebuilt from the ruins, the First Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum now stands as a bright, welcoming, and modern learning environment.
Opening of Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum in Borodyanka
The classrooms have been equipped with smart boards and interactive desks for younger pupils, teachers’ workspaces furnished with modern computer equipment. The school’s common areas have been decorated with artwork by Ukrainian artist Yuliia Trypolska. This project brought 700 students back to the school. To ensure the safety of both children and teachers, a new underground shelter has been built next to the lyceum, capable of accommodating up to 800 people at a time.
Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum in Borodyanka before and after reconstruction
In 2024, the renovation of the Irpin kindergarten building and the surrounding outdoor infrastructure was also successfully completed. The project was valued at €500,000, with €213,000 provided by Taiwan.
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Before the reconstruction, our kindergarten couldn’t function. The building was badly damaged by fire, water and other circumstances, which were caused by Russian invasion. More than 400 families waited for an opportunity to get a preschool education for their children, consequently, to be able to work. The kindergarten was rebuilt to a significantly higher standard than before, transforming into a hub of innovation and contributing to the advancement of local education. It now serves as a model for restoring educational infrastructure, attracting delegations looking for inspiration for similar initiatives. Personally, I’ve started a new chapter of my professional life here–one that is bright, hopeful, and inspiring. I returned to Ukraine from Poland specifically to take on my current role. I am deeply grateful for Lithuania’s support, which I feel every single day when I arrive at work. It is both a joy and a source of pride to lead such a distinguished institution. Kseniia Katrych, headmaster of Irpin kindergarten “Rūta”, Ukraine |
According to the data of IOM, since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, over 14 million people – nearly one third of Ukraine's population – have fled their homes. Some 3.7 million people remain displaced within Ukraine, while nearly 6.5 million are refugees globally. The Ukrainian diaspora, estimated to be between 12-20 million people worldwide, acts as a powerful and unified advocate and supporter for their country, but can also become an important pool of people willing to come back and contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery.
Ukrainian political and societal leaders reiterate that creating a path for bringing people back to Ukraine will be vital for a successful economic recovery and sustainable development.
THE AIM
By harnessing the experience and expertise of young Ukrainian professionals abroad, Create Ukraine aims to encourage and enable them to return, join government institutions and strengthen the country's administrative capacity to support recovery and EU integration efforts.
In the upcoming 3 years, the Programme would return 250-300 young professionals from all around the world to Ukraine. The Programme is informed and supported by Create Lithuania (Kurk Lietuvai) programme, which has a 13 years successful track record of attracting Lithuanian professionals from abroad to join Lithuanian public sector and implement specific projects there.
OBJECTIVES
1. Attract to Ukraine and reintegrate young talents: address the significant challenge of the brain drain caused by the full-scale invasion by returning skilled young professionals from abroad back to Ukraine. This is the first initiative designed to provide a structured path for their return and reintegration into the public sector.
2. Drive Ukraine’s recovery and European integration oriented reforms: place young professionals in the strategic positions (working in the teams of Deputy Ministers or similar level officials) to support Ukraine’s recovery and Euro-integration efforts through specific assignments and milestones for their assignment.
3. Enhance institutional efficiency and build public trust: implement project management approaches that improve public sector efficiency while promoting transparency and collaboration with civil society, thereby strengthening public confidence in governmental institutions.
DESCRIPTION: What is Create Ukraine doing?
The Aim: Return of the Heroes
Implemented with the involvement of Lithuanian, international, and Ukrainian specialists, the complex
veteran rehabilitation improvement program will create an innovative model for comprehensive medical
and mental health rehabilitation services. This model will be practically tested and continuously improved
in rehabilitation centers across Dnipro, Lviv, and Zhytomyr.
The Impact
The main objectives of the programme:
