The war in Ukraine has caused massive displacement, economic damage and human suffering, with nearly one third of Ukrainians forced to flee their homes, 5.1m internally displaced, and 3m child refugees in Europe alone. This has created a severe education crisis with 1 in 7 of Ukrainian schools damaged and 9 in 10 children suffering from enduring psychological and emotional stress.

Svitlo Education provides high quality academic and social education, delivered in English by qualified, vetted volunteer teachers from the UK and around the world to more than 1100 children in Ukraine. They offer 93 lessons per week, which focus on developing leadership skills, democratic values, analytical thinking and teamwork through a curriculum spanning subjects including English, STEM, Humanities, Creativity, Careers, and Wellbeing.

Courses they offer are not available to Ukrainian students, such as anti-corruption education, developed in partnership with the EBRD, and courses on democratic values, media awareness, finances, investment, communication, and leadership.

To date, they have:

• Supported 2,500 young people to engage in education. Over 1100 connect weekly now to their online school.

• Delivered 5670+ hours of teaching through our team of 65 volunteer teachers.

• Shipped 1,300 English books to Ukraine and set-up 5 Postbox Libraries.

• Trained 28 senior pupils to become reading buddies, matched with 70 younger students.

• Supported 30+ pupils to progress into British/US schools online on full scholarships.

• 83.5% of existing students have improved their English skills since joining our school within 3 months, and 86.4% say that Svitlo has helped them to take their mind off the war and improve their mental wellbeing.

By investing in the minds and hearts of today’s youth, we are shaping the architects of tomorrow’s Ukraine—one that is resilient, democratic, and deeply connected to the European Union and the global community.