Two years studying online. And finally — back to school

Students in the Kulykivska community in the Chernihiv region are once again attending classes in person in safe and modern conditions. Through the DECIDE: VIDBUDOVA project, the community renovated a 300-square-metre school anti-radiation shelter, which can now be used by secondary school students.

The project budget exceeded UAH 6 million. The funds were used to renovate the premises, including installing ventilation systems, accessible toilets, lighting, and comfortable learning areas. Children can now continue their education during air raid alerts, which currently last up to 5–7 hours in the Chernihiv region.

‘Repairing the shelter at this school was of public importance to the community. This is because pupils from four surrounding localities study here. It is difficult to feel safe anywhere in Ukraine at the moment. However, thanks to the shelter, we can at least help children to feel safer. It also gives parents the opportunity to work and take care of their families, thus enabling them to contribute to the local economy without worrying about where their children are,’ emphasises Yuliia Posternak, Mayor of Kulykivka.

As part of the DECIDE project, students from the Kulykivska community were awarded a mini-grant of UAH 50,000 to fund projects that would make the shelter more homely and truly their own. Following training sessions on project writing led by the DECIDE team, the school teams developed and presented their ideas, which ranged from a mini-cinema to a space for communication. The winning project was the 'Your Oscar' video studio, where students can now film their own content and explore creative professions.

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The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.

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