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Ukraine: Enabel co-hosts a strategic session on CoVEs with the Ministry of Education
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 21/01/2026
On 16 January, Enabel and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine hosted the VET+ strategic session. The event brought together educators from 12 regions alongside representatives from regional education departments to develop a shared vision for transforming vocational schools into centres of vocational excellence. Through group brainstorming sessions, participants tackled several key questions: – What sets a centre of excellence apart from a strong vocational college?– What are the pros and cons of different CoVE models?– Where do you start when preparing to launch a CoVE, and what resources are needed beyond state-of-the-art infrastructure?Opening remarks came from Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine, Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Dirk Deprez, Enabel Country Director, and Iwona Ganko, Senior Expert at the European Training Foundation leading the Ukraine Task Force.The session was facilitated by Iryna Shumyk, Director General for Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education, and Enabel expert Oleksandra Borodiyenko. Enabel is supporting the Ministry of Education and Science in the rollout of centres of excellence across Ukraine. Together with the ETF, we are developing a major programme to introduce vocational education leaders to the CoVE approach and its practical tools.
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Ukraine: Enabel hosts an event on active labour market policies
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 21/01/2026
On 15 January, Enabel hosted the ACTIVATE Forum, an event on active labour market policies and pathways to their implementation. The forum brought together partners to mark the completion of the first phase of our ALMP Facility grant programme and the launch of its second call, Jobs for the Future. The event featured remarks from Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine; Daria Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine; and Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Section for Public Finance, Business Support, and Social Policies at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.Regional economic strategy perspectives were presented by Zhanna Osypenko, Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, and Zhanna Sherstiuk, Deputy Head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration. Dirk Deprez, Enabel Country Director: "Active labour market policies are not just about economic indicators – they are first and foremost about people. Helping people find jobs, return to the labour market, or gain new skills is essential for sustainable recovery." Nine finalists of Enabel's ALMP Facility grant programme presented projects aimed at activating the labour markets in the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions. Career support for veterans, short-term training courses in the construction sector, and training for electricians restoring critical infrastructure – these and other initiatives will soon be implemented with Belgium’s support. Oleksandra Borodiyenko, Enabel expert: "The finalists demonstrated a deep understanding of the dynamics of regional labour markets and within specific communities. All selected projects offer a comprehensive approach to supporting people – from training or retraining to employment with partner companies."
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Ukraine: Belgium has donated 16 backup heating systems for Kyiv's medical facilities
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 17/12/2025
A batch of mobile boiler units worth more than €4.8 million has been purchased from the budget of the BE-Relieve programme implemented by Enabel. These powerful portable systems will serve as a backup heating source for Kyiv hospitals in the event of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and other emergency situations. The test launch of the first boiler unit took place on December 5th 2025 at one of Kyiv's hospitals in the presence of Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine Luc Jacobs, and Enabel Country Director Dirk Deprez. Mayor Klitschko thanked Belgium for its support and noted that these mobile boiler units are three times more powerful than those already available to Kyiv, and can provide heating to larger facilities. Ambassador Luc Jacobs: "Powering social infrastructure is powering Ukrainian communities. With this support comes hope that this winter, Ukrainian hospitals, schools and social services will keep running and people will have access to crucial medical aid. Of course, we hope these boilers will never need to be used, but we are proud to help our partners prepare a backup plan and contribute to the resilience of the city of Kyiv."Continuous access to social services is a fundamental priority. Earlier this year, Enabel also provided generators to 35 Kyiv schools and kindergartens.
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Ukraine: Enabel strengthens support for the Chernihiv Regional Blood Centre
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 11/12/2025
On December 4 2025, Enabel signed a memorandum marking the start of repair works in one of Chernihiv’s key medical facilities, Chernihiv Regional Blood Centre.Nearly €2 million for the major renovation and thermomodernisation of the 2,000 sq. m building has been allocated from the BE-Relieve programme budget.The Blood Center has also received a minibus for mobile blood collection from Enabel. The facility’s team will use this vehicle to engage blood donors in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions.Dirk Deprez, Enabel Country Director in Ukraine: “When I first visited the Blood Center, I was deeply moved learning that the facility’s staff never stopped working even during the first weeks of the full-scale invasion.That visit convinced me that we should respond to the Ministry of Health’s request to contribute to the development of Ukraine’s blood system and support the modernisation of this facility. Rebuilding the Center to modern standards is not just a technical solution, but also a step toward European integration.”Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration:“This will be a completely different facility, very modern. Enabel has taken into account all the Center staff’s wishes regarding the renovation. We also agreed to upgrade the equipment and create opportunities for professional development of the specialists.”The building renovation and bus purchase are part of comprehensive support from Enabel. Earlier, we announced our partnership with the Red Cross Flanders, which includes training and procurement of new medical equipment.
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Ukraine: Belgium joins the Shelter Coalition, with Enabel as an implementing partner
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 11/12/2025
The Shelter Coalition is a new initiative designed to support Ukraine’s transition from ad-hoc shelters to a country-wide network. The Coalition brings together Finland, the European Union, Lithuania, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, as well as the EIB and the World Bank.The inaugural meeting took place on November 27 2025 in the presence of the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, who emphasised the importance of protecting civilian lives.The Shelter Coalition will work alongside Ukrainian authorities to map needs, design inclusive and accessible shelters, and mobilise financing. A key focus will be the construction and rehabilitation of dual-use shelters – facilities that function as schools, healthcare facilities, or community spaces during peacetime. Priority will go to communities closest to the frontline and heavily targeted regions.Enabel, alongside CPVA (Lithuania), will serve as the main implementing partners for construction under the EU-funded component.Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine: "The Coalition will allow us to join a broader initiative, amplifying our impact on the ground. This is a continuing effort: through Enabel, we have already been constructing new shelters for schools in the communities of Novi Petrivtsi, Shevchenkove, and Baryshivka, and rehabilitating three existing shelters."The Shelter Coalition is designed to support the roll-out of Ukraine's Strategy for the Development of the Fund of Civil Protection Structures up to 2034, led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service.Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine: "The Coalition is not only about financial support. It is about pooling technologies, engineering solutions, and the experience of democratic states that have been investing in the resilience of their infrastructure for decades. Together, we are doing what really matters: protecting people and showing the world that unity is stronger than terror."
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Ukraine: Enabel partners with Constructiv to empower construction experts
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 11/12/2025
Enabel partners with Constructiv to train members of the Ukrainian construction industry in general safety and asbestos removal.In November 2025, representatives from Ukrainian trade unions and employers, together with Enabel infrastructure experts, travelled to Brussels for a certified course on general safety and asbestos removal. The 5-day programme covered topics essential for Ukraine’s reconstruction and post-bombing debris management:Basic construction site safetyAsbestos removal: reducing the risks of contamination and fiber dispersionCircular economy and reconstructionWorking at heightSocial dialogue in the construction sectorSvitlana Strokach, Enabel Infrastructure Expert: "When working with carcinogenic materials like asbestos, there can be no compromises – only clear procedures, proper exposure control, and strict discipline. The same applies to working at heights, where even a small mistake can come at a high cost.This exchange with Belgian experts has become an important benchmark and will help us strengthen workplace safety in Ukraine in line with leading European practices." Bruno Vandewijngaert, CEO of Constructiv: "As a sectoral fund, Constructiv has developed recognised technical expertise in training for construction trades, skills management, as well as safety and well-being on construction sites.Through this initiative, we share not only our know-how but also our model of social dialogue. The reconstruction of a country does not rely solely on technical mastery, but also on the fundamental values of solidarity, respect, and dialogue among industry stakeholders."
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Ukraine: Enabel and Red Cross-Flanders will help Ukraine strengthen its blood system
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 11/12/2025
Since Russia's full-scale invasion on Ukraine, blood demand has increased by over 40%, with multiple facilities damaged and destroyed. On November 19 2025, Enabel signed a €2 million grant agreement with Red Cross-Flanders to facilitate the modernisation of Ukraine's blood transfusion network.Red Cross Flanders’ expertise will be used to align the Ukrainian blood system with European quality and safety standards. The organisation will contribute to strengthening quality control, traceability and modernisation of blood processing in Ukraine. They will also use their expertise to scale up recruitment of voluntary donations.The grant support will cover the alignment of the Chernihiv Blood Centre with the EU standards, including the procurement of modern equipment and the training of Ukrainian specialists. The Centre, which serves the Chernihiv region and the neighbouring Sumy region, is crucial for the entire northeast of the country.Yaroslav Melnyk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Belgium: "The contribution of our Belgian partners saves lives and lays the foundation for a more modern and secure healthcare system."Jean Van Wetter, Enabel CEO: "This knowledge exchange is incredibly important for all parties as long as the war lasts, but I am convinced that our cooperation will also be useful in the future and in other contexts."
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Ukraine: Enabel opens the first Bosch Junior Academy at Boryspil Vocational College
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 11/12/2025
On October 30th, the first Bosch Junior Academy in Ukraine opened in Boryspil — a modern learning hub where young people can master automotive diagnostics and repair using equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers.This joint project by Enabel and Bosch Ukraine, supported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science and the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, brings together education, business, and government.The goal is not just to teach, but to prepare specialists trained to European industry standards.“Bosch Junior Academy will help bring vocational training closer to labour market needs,” says Dirk Deprez, Enabel Country Director.The project kicked off with Bosch expert-led training sessions for 18 vocational instructors from four schools who are now passing on their knowledge to students. The first lab, equipped with Bosch technology with support from Enabel, is now operating at Boryspil Vocational College. The project also offers opportunities for internships within the Bosch Car Service network.
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Ukraine: Enabel kicks off the restoration of a shelter in Sosnytsia
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 19/09/2025
Enabel has launched another infrastructure project in the Chernihiv region – the major renovation of a shelter at Sosnytsia Dovzhenko Lyceum. The lyceum is the largest educational institution in the Sosnytsia community, with more than 500 students enrolled. The ongoing works include waterproofing and insulation, upgrading internal utilities, and completing interior finishes. Within a few months, the shelter will provide a safe refuge during air raid alerts. Once such protection is no longer needed, the space will be repurposed for other uses. Safe learning conditions for children are a key factor in strengthening community resilience. Ensuring these conditions remains one of the main priorities of our BE-Relieve Ukraine programme.
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Ukraine: Enabel supports an event on employment and skills development in Chernihiv
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 08/09/2025
On September 4th 2025, Enabel supported the "Brussels—Chernihiv" information session in Chernihiv. The event was organised by the Chernihiv Regional State Administration in collaboration with the Chernihiv Regional Development Agency. The session focused on hands-on solutions for employment and skills development that the Chernihiv delegation adopted during their study visit to Belgium.Kostiantyn Mehem, First Deputy Head of the Chernihiv Regional State Administration, acknowledged Belgium’s support of the region's education and economy. Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine, highlighted Chernihiv region's development amid ongoing war and underscored that Ukraine's future EU membership will strengthen both parties. Participants were also addressed by Dariia Marchak, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, and Iryna Shumik, Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Science. The event brought together over 70 guests—employers, educational leaders, government representatives and civil society organisations. The session featured the announcement of the Regional Council for Employment and Skills Development launch. Participants also agreed to: strengthen cooperation between education, business and government to align with current labour market needscreate a positive image of vocational professionsimplement European practices: from fast-track adult retraining to developing digital and green skills"This is not just about exploring the Belgian skills development and employment support ecosystem, but about substantial work implementing best practices and practically embodying tripartite dialogue," shares Enabel expert Oleksandra Borodiyenko. Enabel supports the Chernihiv region through the BE-Relieve Ukraine programme. We work on restoring and modernising hospitals and schools, invest in professional development for medical staff and educators, and equip social infrastructure with backup power and heating systems.
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Ukraine: Belgium donates 14 mobile boilers to Mykolaiv hospitals
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 30/07/2025
On July 29th, Belgium donated 14 Enabel-founded mobile boilers to hospitals in the Mykolaiv region. An official handover ceremony in Mykolaiv was attended by Ambassador Luc Jacobs, Deputy Health Minister Maryna Slobodnichenko, Governor of Mykolaiv region Vitalii Kim, and Mayor of Mykolaiv Oleksandr Sienkevych.This donation marks an important milestone in Enabel's BE-Relieve Ukraine programme. The €3.7+ million investment, extending beyond the agency's intervention area of Kyiv and Chernihiv, reaffirms Belgium's support for Ukraine's frontline regions.Eight (8) boilers have been deployed to healthcare facilities in Mykolaiv city, while six (6) more will be distributed throughout the region. The capacity of these boilers will allow them to cover not only hospitals but also other essential social infrastructure. The mobile systems can be easily relocated to provide heating to various facilities.
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Ukraine: Enabel contributes to the launch of Ukraine's first SLT programme
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 28/07/2025
This spring, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine launched the first official training programme for speech and language therapists (SLTs), which we at Enabel were proud to support. This July, over 20 specialists successfully completed the programme, becoming Ukraine's first SLTs with professional qualifications. Until now, this role was carried out by education professionals.A speech and language therapist works with the full spectrum of communication disorders and plays a vital role in multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams. SLTs help with combat-related stuttering, post-stroke communication disorders, and language decline in dementia. The programme lasted four months, with over 90 hours of clinical practice. Training for future specialists was delivered by qualified SLTs from various countries, including Belgium. One of the lecturers was Professor Ingeborg Simpelaere, Head of the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology bachelor programme at VIVES.The training was held at the Bogomolets National Medical University and the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University. The graduates are now qualified to teach on university programmes for future SLT specialists. The next milestone is the launch of a dedicated master's programme. The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Health with financial and organisational support from Enabel and programme support from the Ukrainian Society of Speech and Language Therapy together with the War Trauma Rehabilitation initiative managed by the Patients of Ukraine foundation, and in partnership with the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Medical Education Development".
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Ukraine: Enabel enhances access to assistive rehabilitation devices
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 23/07/2025
Ukrainian non-profit organisation ProtezHub, in partnership with Patients of Ukraine and supported by Enabel, has launched an initiative to improve public access to assistive rehabilitation devices. The project features an interactive online course for staff at Administrative Service Centres (ASCs), which often serve as the first point of guidance for war veterans and other people beginning their recovery journey.The initiative aims to equip administrators with a standardised set of skills for arranging and facilitating access to assistive devices. Faster and more effective assistance at ASCs should remove unnecessary barriers for people who need prosthetics, orthoses, crutches, wheelchairs, or other equipment. "In hospitals, assistive devices are often provided during rehabilitation—usually short-term. Then, if someone needs something longer-term, like a permanent prosthetic, the social protection system takes over. But we know that navigating that system can be confusing or too slow—and that is something we are working to change," shares Paola Pavlenko, national health expert at Enabel.The training module consists of six 45-minute video lectures and supporting PDF materials. After watching the videos, users are invited to take a test. The course is already available on the ProtezHub knowledge base. While certificates will only be awarded to ASC staff, the module is freely accessible to everyone. "ASCs are not expected to support someone through every stage of rehabilitation, but administrators can streamline this process and provide guidance on next steps," says veteran Mykhailo Bakaliuk, whose prosthetic journey began with a visit to an ASC.One of the course's goals is to strengthen administrators' communication skills and improve these interactions." The training course on rehabilitation assistive devices is part of the “Rehabilitation Pathway: From Regional to Community Level” project within the broader War Trauma Rehabilitation initiative. The initiative to enhance information services at ASCs is delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, and the Social Protection Fund for People with Disabilities.
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Ukraine: Enabel supports the Nursing Forum in cooperation with Swiss and Ukrainian partners
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 17/07/2025
The III Nursing Forum, co-organised by the Ukrainian-Swiss project Medical Education Development in collaboration with Enabel and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, took place in Kyiv on June 25–27. The forum’s mission was to unite nursing community leaders and other stakeholders to foster a culture of professional development and the exchange of experience. Topics covered during the three-day event included:→ a roadmap for nursing development strategy implementation; → international experience in nursing education (including insights from Belgium and other EU countries); → opportunities to develop potential and expand nurses’ authority; → stress management, veteran care, and other pressing issues. Robin Herrero, Deputy Head of Mission (Embassy of Belgium), and Paola Pavlenko, National Health Expert (Enabel), reaffirmed Team Belgium’s support for Ukraine’s healthcare system. The forum was supported through the BE-Relieve Ukraine programme. Enabel is currently working on several nursing development initiatives in Ukraine, including the training of multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams and exchanges with Belgian universities and colleges.
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Ukraine: Enabel partners with Etex to provide training for TVET trainers
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 17/07/2025
With support from Enabel, vocational trainers from seven TVET schools across Kyiv and Chernihiv regions received training on plasterboard installation. The seminar was delivered by Siniat, a brand within the Etex Group – a global construction materials manufacturer. Etex is a Belgian company that was founded in Brussels back in 1905. The trainers practiced working with plasterboards and gypsum-based fillers. "The next step is to use this experience to train future specialists," shares Ivan Kholodko from the Boryspil vocational college. Enabel's partnership with Etex is part of a comprehensive strategy for developing skills crucial to Ukraine's reconstruction.
