Improving higher education in terms of restoring the educational capacity of higher education institutions to ensure access to quality education and preserve human capital


Sector

Education and science

Stream

Network optimization for quality higher education

Entry into Portfolio

State level of SPP

Maturity level

90

General Information

Program Description

The project "Improving Higher Education in the Part of Restoring the Educational Capacity of Higher Education Institutions to Ensure Access to Quality Education and Preserve Human Capital" is aimed at restoring the educational capacity of higher education institutions by reconstructing damaged buildings after shelling and arranging safe shelters. Its goal is to ensure continuous access of students and teachers to quality education, preserve human capital, and create a sustainable educational environment in the face of military challenges. 

The goal of the program is to restore and modernize the infrastructure of higher education institutions and create conditions for ensuring equal access to quality education, in particular for:- preservation and development of human capital;- strengthening the competitiveness of graduates in the national and international labor markets;- promoting the integration of the Ukrainian higher education system into the global  educational space. This is achieved by implementing measures aimed at restoring and modernizing the buildings of educational institutions, increasing the number of shelters suitable for conducting the educational process and increasing the number of higher education institutions that introduce a full-time (or transition from online to blended) format of obtaining education. The program covers repair and restoration work in educational buildings and dormitories of state higher education institutions of Ukraine, which belong to the sphere of management of the Ministry of Education and Science, arranging protective shelters and providing safe spaces for all participants in the educational process. The full implementation of the program's tasks will allow restoring the educational capacity of higher education institutions, ensuring access to quality education and preserving human capital, etc. The expected results include: an increase in the number of renovated and modernized buildings of higher education institutions; an increase in the number of equipped shelters and safe spaces suitable for educational activities; ensuring comfortable conditions for the educational process. The implementation of the program will allow the saved funds to be directed to the development of the material and technical base of higher education institutions - participants.

The implementation of the program is directly aimed at optimizing the network of professional pre-higher and higher education institutions, including through the consolidation of institutions, and investments in their infrastructure, as it combines the restoration and modernization of infrastructure with the long-term development of the network of higher education institutions, provides constant access to quality educational services and contributes to strengthening the sustainability and efficiency of the education system.

 

Strategic Case

Program Goal

Main Goal: Reconstruction of damaged/destroyed assets
Secondary Goal: Implementation of innovations and energy-efficient solutions, Improvement of service quality, Reducing territorial or social disparities, Improvement of infrastructure condition, Ensuring inclusiveness and equal opportunities, Expanding access to goods and services
Problems: There are 286 higher education institutions in Ukraine (172 state, 23 municipal and 91 private), of which 121 are under the management of the Ministry of Education and Science. As a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, 31 higher education institutions were forced to temporarily relocate to safer regions in 2022. As of September 2025, 2 higher education institutions were destroyed, 129 were damaged (39 of them underwent restoration work (current repairs) and 8 underwent repair work (major repairs). This significantly limits the opportunities for the educational process and reduces access to quality education. In addition, many higher education institutions lack modern protective shelters, or their condition does not meet safety requirements, or their capacity is insufficient to provide for all participants in the educational process. This makes it impossible to fully conduct full-time education, creates threats to the life and health of higher education students and employees of the institution, and also stimulates the outflow of youth abroad and the loss of human capital necessary for the recovery and development of the economy. The feasibility of the investment approach: The investment approach allows for a systematic solution to the specified problem by directing financial resources to: restoration and modernization of the infrastructure of higher education institutions; creation of long-term assets (renovated buildings, shelters, safe spaces); building safe and sustainable educational institutions that can function even in times of crisis; creating a multiplier effect – improving the quality of education, preserving human capital, attracting international partners and investments. Thus, it is the investment approach that ensures the comprehensiveness, long-termness and sustainability of results, unlike short-term support measures or current financing. It creates a basis for the restoration and development of higher education as a strategic area that determines the future of the country. The implementation of the program will allow: - restore and modernize buildings and dormitories of higher education institutions; - equip shelters and safe spaces for educational activities; - provide comfortable conditions for the educational process; - increase the number of higher education institutions that implement the full-time format of obtaining education; - improve the quality of education; - preserve human capital.

Strategic Relevance of the Program

Sector
Education and science
Subsector
Higher and pre-higher education, adult education, postgraduate education
Stream
Network optimization for quality higher education
Strategic Document
Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine until 2027
Task
5.1.1.3. Network optimization for quality higher education

Program Objectives

Indicator
Baseline Value
Target Value

Number of renovated and modernized dormitories of higher education institutions

0 units

25 units

Number of renovated and modernized buildings of higher education institutions

0 units

25 units

Number of shelters suitable for the educational process

0 units

30 units

Programme Sustainable Development Goals

Economic Case

Economic feasibility of the program

What are the main benefits expected from the implementation of the program for the economy, business, society, or individual industries?

Improving energy efficiency
Improving business conditions
Increasing employment levels, creating new jobs
Growth in production, market volumes of goods/services/investments
Reducing regional imbalances
Infrastructure development
Improving the quality of life of the population
Increase in budget revenues

Does the program objective provide for a contribution to the climate goal of mitigating the effects of climate change?

Reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions
Reducing the use of fuel and energy resources

Does the program objective provide a contribution to the climate change adaptation objective: reducing the impact and/or reducing the vulnerability of an asset or population to one or more types of physical climate hazards?

No contribution is provided.

Does the programme objective provide for a contribution to the climate objective of sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources?

No contribution is provided.

Does the program objective provide for a contribution to the climate goal of transitioning to a circular economy?

No contribution is provided.

Does the programme objective provide for a contribution to the climate objective of pollution prevention and control?

No contribution is provided.

Does the program objective provide for a contribution to the climate goal of protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems?

No contribution is provided.

What social consequences are relevant for your program, after its implementation?

Increasing employment levels
Improving living conditions
Improving access to basic services
Other social consequences

Why is it advisable to implement projects in the format of one comprehensive program, and not separately?

Strengthening the overall impact through the interaction of individual projects within the program
Ability to simultaneously cover several interrelated aspects of a problem and ensure a systematic approach
Ensuring coordinated planning, management and monitoring of projects within a single structure
The need to comply with legal requirements, government strategies or policies

How will the program help strengthen other economic processes or reforms?

Optimization of logistics or production chains
Promoting the development of related sectors of the economy
Support for the implementation of state or sectoral reforms
Deepening integration into international economic processes
Stimulating digitalization and innovation

Program Components

Financial justification

Total estimated program cost

6'000'000'000 UAH

Estimated cost of program components

6'000'000'000 UAH

Component

Amount

Improving higher education in terms of restoring the educational capacity of higher education institutions to ensure access to quality education and preserve human capital

6'000'000'000 UAH

Cost justification

Short description

Justification document

n/a

Appendix_PPI_500.xlsx

Sources and mechanisms of financial support for the implementation of programs.

Status
Funding mechanisms
Coverage, %

Investment

Non-repayable financing. Direct budget financing. Direct expenditures from the state budget (public procurement).

100%

Justification document
To the documents
What potential funding sources can be mobilized on the basis of prior agreements or intentions to cooperate (if any)

Based on prior agreements and intentions of cooperation, the following sources of funding may be involved: the state budget of Ukraine (in particular, investment programs of the Ministry of Education and Science); local budgets of relevant regions and communities; international donor organizations; grant programs and investment funds aimed at the development of education and digitalization; private sector and public-private partnerships; charitable foundations and public organizations.

Management Case

Total program duration (months): 5

Approaches to project selection

Have approaches and criteria been defined for including public investment projects in the program, initiators of such projects, and their prioritization?

Yes

Organizational Measures

Project implementation

60 months

Risk Assessment

Risk

Probability

Degree

Strategy

Risk

Loss of personnel due to mobilization (TCK)

Probability

High

Degree

Critical

Strategy

Reduction

Risk

Insufficient coordination between HEIs, contractors, and government agencies

Probability

Medium

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Avoidance

Risk

Rising costs of materials and services due to inflation and market fluctuations

Probability

Medium

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Acceptance

Risk

Construction delays due to frequent airstrikes

Probability

High

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Acceptance

Risk

Power outages, which complicate the implementation of project work

Probability

Medium

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Reduction

Risk

Military actions or worsening security situation in implementation regions

Probability

High

Degree

Critical

Strategy

Acceptance

Risk

Errors in design documentation leading to delays or rework

Probability

Low

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Avoidance

Risk

Delays in funding or underfunding due to budget constraints

Probability

Medium

Degree

Critical

Strategy

Reduction

Risk

Changes in legislation or regulatory requirements

Probability

Low

Degree

Considerable

Strategy

Acceptance

Program Approval History

DateDecision NumberPortfolioProgram StatusDecisionReasonsMaturity level
17/09/2025SP-N-170925-9E1DA947State SPPreparationInclude--
28/10/2025SPP-N-281025-249BF296State SPPPreparationInclude-90