In the run-up to the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), Lithuania presented its flagship initiative - the "Future School for Ukraine" - at the "On the Road to URC 2025" event in Milan. The project was presented jointly by Ambassador-at-Large Mr Darius Skusevičius, who coordinates Lithuania's engagement in Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery, and architect Mr Alessandro Scandurra, who heads the architectural studio preparing the technical design of the school. The aim of the initiative is to build modern, sustainable and safe schools in Ukraine, following the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).
Currently, one in seven schools in Ukraine is severely damaged or destroyed, and nearly two million pupils have no access to safe classrooms. "Education is the key to Ukraine's recovery. Without swift action, we risk losing the potential of an entire generation," said Ambassador D. Skusevičius in his speech.
He underlined Lithuania's commitment to develop a scalable, ready-to-use technical design for the construction of schools across the country, which will save time and financial resources and ensure a high quality learning environment. The first school of this kind is planned to be built under this initiative. Lithuania is committing €5 million for the construction of the school, and the total project budget is expected to reach €17 million. The event in Milan was aimed at attracting EU institutions, international donors and investors to make this initiative the flagship of Team Europe in the field of educational reconstruction in Ukraine.
The architectural design for the project was selected through an international architectural competition, in which the winning Italian firm Scandurra Studio Architettura, together with Ukrainian architect M.A. Vustianskyi proposed an innovative design for the school. It integrates modular construction solutions, renewable energy sources and community spaces. The first "Future School for Ukraine" will be the starting point for the rebuilding of the education system across the country, setting new standards for sustainability, safety and innovation.
This initiative also opens up significant opportunities for European and Ukrainian businesses. "This project is not just about rebuilding schools. It is an opportunity to create new business partnerships and showcase their innovative solutions", D. Skusevičius stressed, inviting the private sector to join the initiative.
