Countries of Civil Protection Shelter Coalition to allocate more than EUR 22M for shelter construction in Ukraine – Svyrydenko
The member states of the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine have announced their new contributions totaling more than EUR 22 million for the construction of shelters in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported this on Telegram, during the first founding meeting of the Shelter Coalition, Ukrinform reports.
"I am happy to welcome to Kyiv today so many friends of Ukraine who have come to the first inaugural meeting of the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition. This is a joint initiative of Ukraine and Team Europe to ensure protection for our citizens. Its goal is to create a modern network of civil protection shelters, including in underground schools and kindergartens, hospitals, and public institutions," Svyrydenko noted.
She expressed gratitude to all the countries that have already announced their new contributions totaling more than EUR 22 million.
"Of this amount, EUR 11 million was contributed by Finland, which is the leader of the coalition thanks to its unique 80 years of experience in creating a system of bomb shelters. In addition, Sweden has contributed EUR 7 million, Lithuania and Belgium EUR 2 million each, and Ireland EUR 0.5 million. Switzerland also intends to join the initiative," Svyrydenko emphasized.
Yulia Svyrydenko and Ville Tavio
According to her, as of today, more than 42 underground schools have already been built only in the frontline regions, funded by the state budget and previous contributions from partners.
"During my regional trips, I see how important it is to provide shelter for the uninterrupted continuation of normal life, socialization, and education for children, as well as access to services even amidst russian shelling. The enemy has been shelling all regions of our country, so we continue to build multifunctional spaces in shelters throughout Ukraine," Svyrydenko underlined.
For the first time, the draft state budget for next year allocates UAH 1 billion for shelters in kindergartens.
According to an Ukrinform correspondent, during the inaugural meeting the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, together with a number of foreign partners, signed a memorandum of understanding on the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition for Ukraine.
"Initiated in May of this year, today the coalition moves from the political level to the practical. This coalition will allow Ukraine to move from isolated solutions to large-scale modernization of the entire shelter infrastructure – from dozens of projects to hundreds, from individual regions to the entire territory of Ukraine," Klymenko said.
He stressed that this multilateral initiative aims to create a modern and effective network of protective facilities in Ukraine.
"This is a real tool that will allow us to increase the number of shelters and implement technological solutions together with our international partners," the minister said.
Luc Jacobs, Johan Anders Oberg
From the side of international partners, the memorandum was signed by Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio, Belgian Ambassador to Ukraine Luc Jacobs, Lithuania's Deputy Foreign Minister Audra Plepyte, Ireland's Deputy Ambassador to Ukraine Garrett O'Brien, and Sweden's Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Johan Anders Aberg.
Ville Tavio
At the inaugural meeting of the Shelter Coalition, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova and the Head of the Regional Office of the European Investment Bank in Ukraine Kristina Mikulova also signed a Letter of Intent (supporting the activities of the Shelter Coalition).
Kristina Mikulova, Audra Plepyte
Mathernova said that this was only the beginning of the Coalition's work and that resources would also be invested in building shelters in medical facilities so they could continue providing medical services even during air attacks and so that people would feel safe.
Katarina Mathernova
Klymenko thanked each partner for their support.
"I thank Finland for its leadership in this process. The European Union, Lithuania, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, and the European Investment Bank have already joined this Coalition. The format is open; we invite other international partners to participate. Thank you to everyone who has already joined and to those who will join soon," Klymenko said.
The Shelter Coalition is an initiative of the EU's Team Europe strategic platform and is headed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service. It is based on the Strategy for Developing Ukraine's Civil Protection Shelter Fund until 2034.
The Shelter Coalition will work in several areas, including supporting the construction and restoration of dual-purpose shelters; coordinating the activities of donors and implementing partners, etc.
It will also support Ukrainian authorities in assessing needs, setting basic standards, developing inclusive and accessible shelters, and attracting financing.
The EU Delegation to Ukraine will co-finance and oversee the project's implementation under Component III of the EU's Ukraine Facility financial support program, while Lithuania's Central Project Management Agency and Enabel (Belgium) will be the main implementing partners for the EU-funded part of the project within this Coalition.
As reported, on July 10, 2025, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that as the leader of the International Civil Protection Coalition, Finland will coordinate efforts to build 10,000 bomb shelters for civilians throughout Ukraine over the next 10 years.
Photo: Danylo Antoniuk, Ukrinform
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