Education is a cornerstone of our future. Safe access to school is paramount, as it gives children a sense of normalcy and is essential for their welfare and future. It is estimated that 5.7 million school-aged children in Ukraine have been impacted by Russia’s unjustified aggression, and thousands of schools and facilities have been damaged.
Solidarity campaign to donate buses
The Commission is calling on public and private entities in the EU and beyond to join forces and show solidarity, by donating in the coming months buses that are essential to bring Ukrainian children safely back to their schools.
Potential donors can do that through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which has already been critical in channelling vital support to Ukraine and its people, including -shelter, food, hospital equipment, ambulances, fire trucks, and much more.
“Ukrainian children need school buses. Europe is now donating EUR 14 million for this. And we need more. This is why the European Commission is organizing a solidarity campaign to donate school buses for Ukraine by early 2023. Together, we can help Ukrainian children - the future of Ukraine.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
How to donate
If you are a public entity or a private company based in the EU and wish to donate buses, please first read carefully the FAQs below. You may also contact the EU Commission Representation in the country that can provide you with additional information about the campaign.
If you are ready to offer buses you should prepare the details of your offer by filling in the document called Technical specifications for bus offers below and send it to: EU-BUSES-UKRAINE
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EU-BUSES-UKRAINE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu). Please read carefully the Explanations tab in the Excel file.
For any additional questions, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) at the European Commission has a dedicated team to help you. You can contact it via email at EU-BUSES-UKRAINEec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EU-BUSES-UKRAINE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
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Donations so far
Overall, more than 300 buses are already on the way from the EU and its Member States, including donations from authorities, cities, regions, and transport organisations in 11 EU countries.
Ongoing EU support
Europe has been supporting Ukraine from the beginning of Russia’s unjustified aggression. Europeans have opened their hearts and homes to more than 8 million Ukrainians who have fled Putin's bombs, including more than four million Ukrainians who asked for temporary protection in the EU Member States. European schools have welcomed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. Despite the destruction and sacrifices, Ukrainians are looking to the future with confidence and hope. And this future starts with making sure that schools are open and that children can access them.
In her State of the Union address, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced a joint initiative with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, on the rehabilitation of damaged Ukrainian schools. In December 2022, the Commission and the Government of Ukraine have signed a €100 million support package for this purpose. Support will reach Ukraine through the EU's humanitarian partners and partly as budget support to the Government of Ukraine.
In parallel, the Commission, together with the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation and DIGITALEUROPE, a European organisation that represents the digital technology industry, has organised a Laptops for Ukraine initiative. The aim is to collect and deliver laptops, smart-phones and tablets and respond to the fundamental needs of schools, hospitals and public administrations in Ukraine's most affected war regions.