113 shelters are to be built in schools across Ukraine, eight of which will be in the Mykolaiv region

One of the shelters in Mykolaiv. Archive photo6 NikVesti

In 2026, 113 shelters will be set up in secondary schools across 22 regions of Ukraine, including eight in the Mykolaiv region. The government has already allocated nearly five billion hryvnias in subsidies for the project.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, funding was allocated in stages. Initially, over two billion hryvnias were allocated for the implementation of 30 projects — primarily in communities with the highest security risks and in military lyceums. A further 230 million hryvnias were allocated to complete 22 facilities, the readiness of which exceeded 60%.

113 shelters will be built in schools across Ukraine. Infographic: Ministry of Education and Science

In its latest decision, the government has approved funding for a further 61 projects totalling over 2.73 billion hryvnias. These include 29 facilities in communities with a high level of security risk, 28 in those with a moderate or satisfactory level, and one in a community with a very high level of risk. Funding has also been allocated to complete three projects started last year.

In total, this year’s grant covers the construction and modernisation of 113 school shelters across the country. Projects were selected via the DREAM and AIKOM digital systems. Key requirements included the availability of design and cost estimate documentation, the feasibility of completing the work by 2026, and the need for a new shelter or major refurbishment of an existing one.

Following the initial selection, regional military administrations further prioritised the sites, and the final list was approved by the government upon the recommendation of the ministry’s commission.

It is expected that the construction of shelters will enable thousands of pupils, including those in the Mykolaiv region, to study in person or in a blended format in safer conditions. The work will be carried out by local communities as part of the joint programme with the World Bank, «Improving the Accessibility and Resilience of Education in Crisis in Ukraine» (LEARN).

It should be noted that as of early 2026, there are 1,774 shelters in the Mykolaiv region. Over the past year, their number has increased by 125 new protective structures.