• School in the northern Ukrainian city of Malyn restarts classes following EU-backed renovation after damage incurred during Russian attacks in 2022. 
• Malyn Lyceum No. 2 has upgraded facilities for 600 pupils following €2 million revamp.   
• Works part of EIB-supported recovery programmesin Zhytomyr oblast and across Ukraine.

A war-damaged school in the northern Ukrainian city of Malyn reopened today following a major renovation supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Malyn Lyceum No. 2, which was hit by a blast wave during Russian attacks in 2022, now has a new roof, better insulation, improved classrooms and upgraded heating, ventilation and electrical systems for up to 600 pupils.

The renovation also improved accessibility, fire safety and emergency-warning systems at the school. The works were carried out between January 2024 and September 2026 at a cost of almost €2 million, of which the EIB provided €1.54 million. 

“Ukraine’s recovery is about giving communities the means to move forward – even during the war,” said EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer. “With our support, this school in Malyn has been rebuilt to better serve hundreds of children. It is a concrete investment in education, resilience and Ukraine’s future.”

Malyn Lyceum No. 2 was founded 100 years ago and offers classes ranging from primary to senior levels. The school serves children from families displaced by the war and pupils with special educational needs.

The EIB financing came through the €340 million “Ukraine Recovery Programme”, which supports the restoration of essential social infrastructure in communities across the country. It is one of three joint European Union–EIB recovery initiatives implemented in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Finance and local authorities, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“Every school restored is a reminder that Ukraine’s future cannot be destroyed,” said Head of Section for Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure and Environment at the EU Delegation to Ukraine Joost Mohlmann. “The EU will continue standing with Ukrainian communities, helping them not just rebuild what was lost but create something better for generations to come.”

In the Zhytomyr region, or oblast, 20 facilities including schools, preschools, hospitals and water infrastructure are being restored or built under EIB recovery programmes.

“Restoring schools is essential to helping Ukrainian communities recover and return to normal life,” said Minister for Recovery, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk. “The project in Malyn shows how we can rebuild war-damaged infrastructure to modern standards and deliver real improvements for local families even while the war continues.”

In addition to the EIB’s financial support, the renovation of Malyn Lyceum No. 2 received €451,000 from the budget of Zhytomyr oblast.

“Every investment in education is an investment in Ukraine’s future,” said Ukrainian Deputy Finance Minister Olga Zykova. “By combining international financing with local resources, we help communities restore essential services and create the foundations for Ukraine’s long-term recovery.”

“Renovating the school in Malyn, in the north of our region, which was particularly hard hit at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, is about much more than simply restoring an educational facility. This project is an important symbol of our shared belief – both as Ukrainians and together with our European partners – in a successful future for our communities as part of a thriving European family,” said Vitalii Bunechko, Head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration. “Together with our EU partners, we continue to create the conditions for Ukrainians to live with dignity today and for our fellow citizens to return home in the future.”

“The renovated school is an investment in the future of our community,” said Oleksandr Sytailo, Mayor of Malyn. “We are pleased that, thanks to the comprehensive renovation of the school, our children will have better conditions for learning.”

“War disrupts childhood, education, and a sense of safety,” said Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine. “Restoring access to quality education is an investment in Ukraine’s future. The reopening of Malyn Lyceum No. 2 gives children a safe place to learn and grow, while helping families and communities regain a sense of normalcy and hope.”

Background information

The EIB in Ukraine 

Present in Ukraine since 2007, the EIB Group has significantly stepped up its financial support for the country’s resilience and modernisation following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Since then, EIB financing in support of Ukraine has reached €4.5 billion. Through its EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative, coupled with its key role in implementing a dedicated window under the Ukraine Facility, the EIB is strongly committed to stepping up and accelerating its activities in line with the mandate given by EU leaders and in close cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, Member States and international partners.

EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine

The reconstruction of the Malyn Lyceum No.2, Zhytomyr oblast, was implemented as part of the Ukraine Recovery Programme, one of three recovery initiatives supported by the EIB. The EIB has provided €740 million through these programmes to support Ukraine’s recovery. The funding helps the government to restore essential services in communities across the country – including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, housing, heating and water systems. These EIB-backed programmes are further supported by €15 million in EU grants to facilitate implementation. The Ministry for Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, coordinates and oversees programme implementation, while local authorities and self-government entities are responsible for managing recovery sub-projects. The UNDP in Ukraine provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. More information about the programmes is available here.

Press contact

EIB: Olga Sushytska, o.sushytska@eib.org, tel.: +352437986063 

Website: www.eib.org/press – Press Office: press@eib.org

UNDP Ukraine: Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org