Estonia and Ukraine Sign a Cooperation Agreement for the Construction of a Kindergarten

A tripartite cooperation agreement was signed today by the Estonian Center for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV), the Zhytomyr region and the city of Ovruch, making official the construction of a kindergarten in the town of Ovruch.

“Estonia is among first countries to start physical rebuilding of Ukraine,” said Kadri Maasik, Executive Director of ESTDEV. “We will build a kindergarten in Ovruch so that children can continue their studies during the war and their mothers can return to work.”

Since the rebuilding project begins when the Russian invasion is still endangering the country, a majority of works must be completed outside of Ukraine in order to mitigate the risk associated with military activities.

As Europe’s largest exporter of wooden modular buildings, having impressive experience and know-how, Estonia offers modular solutions for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Public tenders are currently underway to find a construction partner and furniture manufacturers. Several Estonian entrepreneurs have offered their services free of charge, which has accelerated the start of work. The Tiit Silla Architecture office created a blueprint for the kindergarten, and Primostar OÜ donated waterproof materials for the construction of an underground bomb shelter.  Kitman Thule AS, SolarStone and the Estonian Wooden Houses Association are supporting the project as well.

The reconstruction of the kindergarten is expected to start in coming months. In the first phase, four classrooms will be completed, ready to host about 80 children in all. In the second phase, the kindergarten will expand by 4 more classrooms, accommodating a total of 160 children.

In addition to the kindergarten building, Estonia offers Ukraine educational management know-how and Estonian educational technology solutions, which will be available to institutions in the entire Zhytomyr region through the Ovruch kindergarten. “Certainly, the kindergarten in Ovruch will not be the last Estonian aid project in Ukraine,” confirmed Kadri Maasik.

The construction of the kindergarten in Ovruch is being carried out by the Estonian Center for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV), to which the government has allocated 1.9 million euros from this year’s Supplementary Budget to fund the work.