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A driver moving a bus donated by Luxemburg city from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s logistic hub to the platform that will ship it to Ukraine
Missiles cannot destroy Solidarity

School buses for Ukraine campaign one year after

Getting Ukrainian children safely to school

Damage
to Ukraine's education system
5.7 million
school-aged children have been impacted by Russia's aggression
Over 2,800
education facilities have been damaged or destroyed

Solidarity campaign to donate buses

In November 2022, the Commission, together with First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, launched the “School buses for Ukraine” solidarity campaign. It called on public and private entities in the EU and beyond to join forces and show solidarity, by donating buses that are essential for bringing Ukrainian children safely back to their schools.

On 4 November 2023, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv and together with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, attended the handover ceremony of the EU solidarity campaign "School buses for Ukraine", delivering over 370 school buses to Ukrainian communities.

100 school buses, worth approximately €14 million, have been purchased by the Commission, while authorities, cities, regions, and transport organisations in 11 EU countries donated 271 school buses via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

This cruel war has robbed thousands of Ukrainian children of their innocence and childhood. But it will not deprive them of the bright and happy future they deserve. That's why I am happy that we can help bringing Ukrainian children safely to school. The donation of more than 370 school buses by the Commission and Member States demonstrates our joint commitment to the next generations of Ukrainians.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Last year, during a visit to the European Parliament, I discussed this with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. And now Ukrainian communities are receiving more than 370 buses. This is a great display of solidarity. This is a path towards our children's future - theirs and the entire country's, in the midst of war. This is what school buses mean, this is why they are important.

Olena Zelenska, First lady of Ukraine

Ongoing EU support

Europe has been supporting Ukraine from the beginning of Russia’s unjustified aggression. Europeans have opened their hearts and homes to more than 8 million Ukrainians who have fled Putin's bombs, including more than four million Ukrainians who asked for temporary protection in the EU Member States. European schools have welcomed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. Despite the destruction and sacrifices, Ukrainians are looking to the future with confidence and hope. And this future starts with making sure that schools are open and that children can access them.

How to donate

If you are a public entity or a private company based in the EU and wish to donate buses, please first read carefully the FAQs below. You may also contact the EU Commission Representation in the country that can provide you with additional information about the campaign.

If you are ready to offer buses you should prepare the details of your offer by filling in the document called Technical specifications for bus offers below and send it to: EU-BUSES-UKRAINEatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EU-BUSES-UKRAINE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu). Please read carefully the Explanations tab in the Excel file.

  • 13 JANUARY 2023
Technical specifications for bus offers

For any additional questions, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) at the European Commission has a dedicated team to help you. You can contact it via email at EU-BUSES-UKRAINEatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EU-BUSES-UKRAINE[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).

  • 19 NOVEMBER 2022
FAQs School buses for Ukraine campaign