In order to support the rebuilding of Ukraine, the founding of the “Skills Alliance for Ukraine” was announced during the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 11 June 2024. The goal of the initiative is to prepare Ukrainians for the rebuilding of their country and for life after the war through a strengthening of their personal, social and occupational competencies. DVV International is taking part in the initiative with over 50 international organisations, states and companies.
Through the “Skills Alliance for Ukraine”, the international partner alliance is making clear that adult education is an essential component for the rebuilding of the country. Therefore in the framework of the initiative over 180,000 Ukrainians will receive basic or further education in the next three years. Special attention will be paid to young people, the internally displaced, women and veterans.
DVV International education projects in Ukraine
Since 2010, DVV International in cooperation with its local partners has has been working to promote lifelong learning and strengthen adult education in Ukraine. In order to achieve this, the institute helps local adult education centres in organisational development and the qualification of their staff in order to generate and implement the provision of needs-oriented educational offers for the internally displaced, for women, young people, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. Since the Russian invasion began, the focus of the work has shifted from education in democracy and human rights to encompass topics which can aid people to cope with their situation in the war and its effects.
Today, veterans and their families are already an important target group in local adult education centres. DVV International has addressed their concerns since 2023 in cooperation with adult education centres in a project funded by the Federal Foreign Office. Veterans face a number of challenges when transitioning to civilian life: physical and mental health problems, the need for legal assistance, or problems related to getting or returning to a civilian job. For these situations, veterans and their families get support which has been specially adapted to their needs and is supported by a variety of educational offers. These include regular consultation and advice about employment, orientation services, employment and general education offers, psychological counselling, as well as financial support, for example for the founding of a small business.
More on DVV International's work in Ukraine
Interview: “There is massive demand for adult learning and education in Ukraine”
More information about the veterans project
Further information
Press release from the BMZ: Launch of the international “Skills Alliance for Ukraine”