Swiss delegation visits Chernihiv

On 3 April, a Swiss delegation visited Chernihiv, headed by Ambassador Jacques Gerber, the Federal Delegate for Ukraine, Simon Troller, and Ilona Postemska. They were joined by the DECIDE project team: Valentyna Poltorak, Yulia Molchanova, and Serhii Omelichkin.

The programme included meetings with Deputy Minister of Education Dmytro Zavhorodnii, First Deputy Head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration Kostiantyn Mehem, Head of the Regional Division of Education and Science Yurii Muzyka, Deputy Mayor Viktoriia Pekur, Head of the Chernihiv City Education Division Vasyl Bilohura, as well as heads of local educational institutions.

The DECIDE project has been active in Chernihiv since 2023. During this time, more than 10 initiatives have been launched to strengthen education within the community.

These include support in developing the community’s education strategy and pilot schools, establishing school boards of trustees, advancing participatory school budgeting, implementing student-led projects, as well as initiatives in career guidance and civic education. DECIDE has also contributed to the creation of safe educational spaces and the development of vocational education in the community.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured:

– The Culinary Hub based at the Chernihiv Vocational Education Centre — an educational space for student career orientation, training of future culinary professionals, and retraining of school cooks as part of the school meal reform. Vocational instructors have already undergone retraining, and on 7 April, the first courses for school cooks will begin. These cooks will prepare meals for schoolchildren across Chernihiv region in line with modern standards of healthy and safe nutrition and the new school menu.

– Chernihiv Gymnasium No. 13, which has been under restoration since early 2024 — a testament to the resilience of local education and educators. The school now hosts more than 850 pupils, including children from two nearby schools (No. 18 and No. 21) that were destroyed. The gymnasium itself suffered shelling damage in 2022.

Through the “DECIDE: VIDBUDOVA” initiative, the school’s building for Grades 5–9 has been completely modernised over the past year. The roof was repaired, the facade insulated, the kitchen unit renovated and re-equipped, and a shelter was set up with digital education centres. These ensure pupils have access to safe and quality education — even during air raid alerts.

This visit symbolises recognition of the efforts made by Ukrainian communities and the continued support Switzerland provides through the DECIDE project.