The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland have signed an agreement guaranteeing Iceland’s commitment of 66,000€ toward Estonia’s kindergarten in Ovruch, Ukraine. These donated funds will contribute to the purchase of furniture and media equipment that will support the daily well-being of the kindergarten. Iceland’s commitment marks the first foreign funding that ESTDEV has involved in the Ovruch kindergarten project.
Photo: ESTDEV
“Estonia’s partnership with Iceland in ensuring international peace and security just took a powerful step forward. We are grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland that they have recognized Estonia’s efforts to rebuild Ukraine, and that they have decided to support the construction of this kindergarten,” announced Eva-Maria Liimets, Head of Strategy at ESTDEV.
“Ukraine’s reconstruction is a long-term and intensive process that will require the shared effort of the international community. Iceland’s participation allows us to move forward in restoring Ukraine even more assertively than before. Rebuilding Ukraine and Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union will ensure the security of Europe as a whole,” said Liimets.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine shows the importance of standing united in our fight for a just and fair international order. Iceland is deeply committed to the rebuilding of Ukraine and we are therefore particularly pleased to support ESTDEV’s Ovruch kindergarten project in Zhytomyr region in Ukraine,” said Elín R. Sigurðardóttir, Director-General at the Directorate for International Development Cooperation at the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
“Iceland’s development cooperation places a strong emphasis on children’s rights, and we regard this as a small, but important step, on the long road towards reconstruction and the gradual return to some semblance of daily life,” added Elín R. Sigurðardóttir.
The Ovruch kindergarten is one of 15 strategic objects for which the Zhytomyr region has requested assistance from foreign partners. Estonia has been proud to answer this call. In addition to the kindergarten, the state of Estonia is an active partner in the restoration of the Malyn bridge, which has been destroyed in the war. Both projects ensure the safe, daily organization of Ukrainian society.
By continuing its ongoing aid and participation in reconstruction activities, Estonia aims to support Ukraine’s EU candidacy and contribute to the reforms necessary for European integration.
Estonia is the first country to begin physically contributing to the rebuilding of Ukraine, and seeks to set an example for other countries through its initiative and successful projects.
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The Estonian Center for International Development is a state foundation that organizes and coordinates Estonia’s participation in international development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects, with the aim of increasing Estonia’s contribution to global security and sustainable development.
