Over the next two years we will work to restore and develop education at the Chernihiv ATC and regional levels

Chernihiv ATC is one of the 20 communities that have become partners of Decentralization for Improved Democratic Education. Over the next two years we will work to restore and develop education at the community and regional levels.

The consequences of the month-long blockade by Russian troops are visible almost everywhere. According to local authorities, almost all educational institutions have been affected to varying degrees – 80% of school buildings have been damaged by shelling and bombardment.

2 out of 34 schools in Chernihiv are totally destroyed. A delegation visited the site of the bombed-out school No. 21 Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine. The team included Andrea Studer, Assistant Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Ilona Postemska, Senior Project Coordinator, Liu Fornara, Head of Humanitarian Office, and Yvonne Muller, Head of Water Sector Reconstruction at the Swiss Humanitarian Mission.

Further support from Switzerland in the educational and humanitarian spheres was confirmed by Ambassador Andrea Studer: “Today, Switzerland is launching our DECIDE project, which aims to develop education in communities. We understand the region’s need to restore educational infrastructure and are considering launching humanitarian initiatives to rebuild schools and reconstruct bomb shelters in educational institutions. But not only to repair, but also to create safe conditions for children and fill their time with meaningful activities.” She also added that cooperation with communities has a long-term perspective – it involves not only financial assistance for reconstruction, but also the implementation of joint projects.

The school’s principal and vice principal, who miraculously managed to survive the air strike, and the team told about the events of March 3, 2022.

The Swiss delegation also visited Chernihiv secondary school #13, where some students of both destroyed schools No. 18 and No. 21 study. Not only the children and part of the teaching staff transferred here, but also the principal of school No. 21, Inna Levchenko, who won the competition in November.

“We are planning to open a school soon. And when children who were forced to leave the city hear about it, they ask when they can return to Chernihiv. And it is very important for us that children return,” said the head of the school.

The school is located in the most affected area of Chernihiv and needs help. The building is still undergoing repairs and is being gradually restored.
We are working for the future of Ukraine!