The European Union and Ukraine have launched their inaugural high-level dialogue focused on education and skills development. Roxana Minzatu, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, announced that since 2022, the EU has allocated over one billion euros to support education in Ukraine, with funding earmarked until 2027.
Minzatu identified several key areas for the allocation of these funds, including the education of Ukrainian children residing in EU member states. Currently, approximately 730,000 Ukrainian children are enrolled in educational systems across the EU. “Our responsibility remains clear: they must have access to quality education today while keeping the pathway to reintegration in Ukraine open for tomorrow,” Minzatu stated.
Oksen Lisovyi, Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, who attended the Brussels event, elaborated on the priorities, which include enhancing access to education for Ukrainian children in the EU, developing joint educational programs, promoting mutual recognition of qualifications, and facilitating Ukraine’s participation in European quality education initiatives.
Another significant focus is on vocational education for adults, with a budget of 650 million euros allocated for its reform. “For the reconstruction of Ukraine, strong schools, modern vocational education, resilient universities, and innovative institutions are essential, along with individuals equipped with the necessary skills,” Minzatu emphasized.
Additionally, ten million euros have been set aside for retraining veterans and internally displaced Ukrainians under the Team Europe initiative, which aims to enhance skills for reconstruction efforts. A fifth of the funding is sourced from the Erasmus+ program, which has supported 52,000 Ukrainian participants in educational mobility since 2022 and facilitated the delivery of 1.5 million textbooks for Ukrainian children.
Ukraine and the EU have agreed to hold a second high-level EU-Ukraine dialogue on education and skills in 2027. Minister Lisovyi underscored the strategic importance of this partnership, stating, “Education for us is more than a policy sector. It is the foundation of our European integration, the basis of our democracy, the cornerstone of Ukraine’s recovery, and essential for our victory.”
In a related development, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced a national adult internship program titled “Experience Matters” aimed at supporting employment for older Ukrainians. This initiative targets individuals aged 50 and above and includes training to prepare for new career stages, resume updates, adaptation to current labor market requirements, and the acquisition of practical skills.
The government has noted that the demand for skilled professionals is one of the most significant challenges facing Ukraine’s economy, particularly in the construction and defense industries, where the need for personnel is expected to grow.
The EU and Ukraine have initiated a high-level dialogue on education, committing over one billion euros to support educational initiatives in Ukraine. Key areas of focus include the education of Ukrainian children in the EU and vocational training for adults, reflecting the strategic importance of education in Ukraine's recovery and integration into Europe.