Erasmus+ support to Ukraine: four years of solidarity and action
Four years into the war, Erasmus+ continues to stand with Ukraine, ensuring the continuity of learning and supporting the resilience of its education system.
This article was first published 24 February 2025. It has been updated to reflect subsequent measures and data.
Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, the programme has mobilised over €208 million to support the education, training, youth and sport sectors in Ukraine and across Europe. More than 52,000 Ukrainians have participated in Erasmus+ mobility, enabling students and staff to continue their studies or professional activities, maintain academic links with Europe, and prepare for Ukraine’s future recovery and EU integration.
In addition, Erasmus+ has helped address urgent needs on the ground. Over 1,5 million textbooks have been printed and distributed, ensuring that Ukrainian children have access to essential learning materials in their language, no matter where they are.
Erasmus+: supporting Ukraine beyond mobility
Erasmus+ support goes beyond individual mobility. Since 2023, the programme includes a dedicated priority for projects addressing the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression in the education, training, youth and sport sectors.
Together, around €70 million has been mobilised for close to 375 cooperation projects, including for capacity building in higher education, vocational education and training, youth and sport. These initiatives support the digital transformation of institutions, curriculum modernisation, organisational recovery and closer alignment with the European Education Area.
Support also extends to schools and teachers. Over 1,000 Ukrainian teachers participate in eTwinning, enabling collaboration with European peers and access to professional development. The European School Education Platform provides practical guidance, teaching materials and well-being resources for educators working with displaced Ukrainian learners, while also promoting participation in Erasmus+.
This broad support is reflected in concrete initiatives that make a real difference on the ground. The Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps "Building Hope for Ukraine" brochure highlights 15 impactful projects that have supported Ukrainian youth, strengthened communities, and fostered resilience through education.
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Support initiatives that make a difference
Among these stories, one of the many impactful initiatives is the University of Tartu’s support programme for Ukrainian medical students. With their studies disrupted by the war, the university opened its doors to students from cities like Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv, and Vinnytsya, offering them Erasmus+ grants and intensive Estonian language courses. This enabled them to resume their medical training and continue their education in Estonia. In 2022 alone, the university hosted 54 Ukrainian exchange students through Erasmus+.
I really like that Estonians are helping me, and I really enjoy living in Estonia at the moment
- shared by one of the students.
From scholarships to textbooks, from virtual exchanges to new partnerships, Erasmus+ remains a pillar of European solidarity with Ukraine and contributes to the country’s recovery, resilience and future integration with the European education community. Education is a lifeline, and thanks to Erasmus+, learning never stops.
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