Building Back Better II: build, rebuild, improve

Schools, kindergartens and collective centres across four oblasts took in children and families affected by the war. Safety rules mean teaching is only possible where shelters exist, while displaced families need decent living conditions. The facilities lacked repairs, equipment and a safe space for children.

The “Building Back Better II - Build, Rebuild, Improve” project aims to protect children, adolescents and their families from violence, abuse and further traumatisation by improving child-focused infrastructure in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad oblasts. It continues the first phase of the programme, which the foundation has implemented with Plan International since 2022.

2024

37 educational institutions received equipment and auxiliary materials, reaching 6,977 students and staff, including 635 IDPs and 231 children with disabilities. Current or capital repairs were carried out in 19 institutions (6,482 students and staff). Needs were assessed in 26 collective shelters for displaced families with children to improve safety and living conditions (annual report 2024, p. 18).

2025

Procurement of equipment and furniture was completed for 15 participating institutions, with specialised classroom equipment and window and door installation prepared; delivery and installation are scheduled for early 2026. 14 sites were repaired and modernised, including 4 roofs restored, 2 catering blocks modernised and 1 children’s swimming pool restored. The total value of works completed and equipment purchased in the year was around UAH 28 million (annual report 2025, pp. 26-27).

Funding

In the foundation’s expenditure tables, Building Back Better II carries 4,188,675.00 UAH in 2023 (p. 61), 64,151,509.96 UAH in 2024 (p. 22) and 56,676,171.43 UAH in 2025 (p. 56) - 125,016,356.39 UAH in total. It is the foundation’s largest project across the whole reporting period. The three-year totals Plan International publishes (31,584 people, 52 facilities) are not printed in the foundation’s annual reports, so this site does not present them as its own figures.

One facility’s story

At Bahacheve Lyceum #1 in Cherkasy oblast, the kitchen block was renovated, modern equipment was provided (a combi steamer and a planetary mixer) and new tables and benches were bought for the canteen. Now 187 children can eat at the same time, and meals are prepared faster and to modern standards.