EIB announces €13M to renovate Ukrainian universities

• As part of the EIB’s Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package, a €10 million European Union-guaranteed loan is being directed towards energy efficiency upgrades at 16 universities across Ukraine.
• Poltava National Technical University is the first to complete renovations of two educational buildings, improving sustainability and reducing energy consumption, with further upgrades underway.
• As part of a separate €10 million grant provided by the E5P Fund in support of this project, €3.25 million will be utilised to further advance the Ukraine Higher Education Project, supporting construction at Poltava University and other selected institutions.

As part of the European Union’s efforts in Ukraine, the European Investment Bank (EIB), has come together with the EU Delegation to Ukraine and other partners to support the resilience of the country’s education sector. Within its Ukraine Solidarity Urgent Response package, the EIB is providing €10 million in EU guarantee-backed funds to enhance the energy efficiency of Ukrainian universities in the cities of Chernihiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lutsk, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Uzhhorod and Vinnytsia.

Poltava National Technical University, one of the participating universities, has completed energy efficiency upgrades on two buildings: an academic building and a dormitory. These are the first of 16 planned upgrades at the university, featuring thermal insulation, modern heating and ventilation systems, and improved accessibility to enhance comfort, reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs.

The inauguration of the upgraded buildings at Poltava University took place alongside events organised as part of the EU Delegation to Ukraine’s “Together We Learn and Grow” communication campaign. During the ceremony, representatives from the EU Delegation and the EIB reaffirmed their commitment to supporting higher education in Ukraine and highlighted the impact of a previous, €3.15 million EU grant, which was used as technical assistance to advance energy efficiency improvements in universities.

Six selected universities, including Poltava University, are also being supported by a grant from the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) Fund, which recently provided €3.25 million to advance renovations. Poltava University has already begun construction using these funds, and by year-end, construction is expected to begin on two buildings at Sumy State University. By early 2025, all six universities benefiting from the E5P grant are expected to have their renovations underway.

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, said: “Strengthening the resilience of Ukraine’s education sector is critical not only for its immediate recovery but also for investing in the country’s future. By modernising university infrastructure, we are helping to build a foundation for developing human capital, ensuring students and staff have access to safer, more sustainable, and energy-efficient facilities. These efforts reflect the European Investment Bank’s commitment to supporting Ukraine during challenging times and beyond, as education is a cornerstone of long-term development and prosperity.”

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Rémi Duflot added: “The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s education sector, particularly efforts to modernise its facilities. These energy efficiency upgrades, that we support in collaboration with the EIB and E5P, demonstrate how EU-backed initiatives are enhancing energy efficiency and creating safer, more sustainable campuses for Ukrainian students, even in the face of ongoing challenges.”

Associate Director, Donor Partnerships at EBRD Ewa Manik said: “The Contributors to the E5P Fund are proud to allocate a €10 million grant to advancing energy efficiency in Ukraine’s higher education sector. By supporting renovations in universities, we are not only reducing energy consumption and operational costs, but also creating more sustainable and resilient educational environments. These efforts are a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment of the E5P contributors to Ukraine’s recovery and future development.”

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Vitrenko Andrii said: “This project demonstrates how support from the EU is enabling the modernisation of our universities, even in the challenging context of war. Energy-efficient upgrades reduce costs and create safer, more resilient spaces for students and staff. The Ukraine Higher Education project plays a vital role in sustaining and strengthening our higher education system as part of the country’s recovery and future development.”

Rector of the National University Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic Volodymyr Onyshchenko concluded: “The completion of the first two energy-efficiently modernised buildings at our university is a significant milestone. As the first institution among 16 participating universities to finish construction, we are proud to lead the way in advancing sustainability and improving infrastructure for our students and staff.”

This article was first published on 4 December by EIB.