Ukraine: preschool in Poltava oblast reopens after EU-backed renovation

On 21 July, a Ukrainian preschool in the central region of Poltava reopened after a €526,000 renovation financed primarily by the European Investment Bank (EIB). 

The Romashka preschool in the village of Kotelva underwent a comprehensive upgrade that received €438,000 in EIB support and €88,000 in local financing.

The preschool, which serves 80 children and has 15 staff members, has a new roof, energy-efficient windows and doors and up-to-date engineering systems. It also has refurbished facades and interiors, new furniture and educational equipment, and barrier-free access for children with disabilities. Another upgrade is a new protective shelter for air-raid alerts and other emergencies.

“Ukrainian children continue to experience disruptions to safe, in‑person schooling, affecting their well‑being,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “That is why we are helping communities rebuild and become more resilient even in the midst of war. Projects like the renovated Romashka preschool are designed for today’s realities: energy-efficient, accessible and built to meet the needs of communities facing extraordinary challenges.”

The renovation was carried out between April 2024 and June 2026 under the €340 million EIB-financed ‘Ukraine Recovery Programme’. The Programme supports the restoration of critical social infrastructure across the country. It is one of three joint EU-EIB recovery initiatives implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and local authorities, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Press release