Expanding safe spaces across the country and developing a comprehensive system of civil protection, the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition contributes to the construction of new shelters and the development of a nationwide civil protection shelter network across Ukraine.
The Coalition is led by Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service. It brings together Team Europe partners—Finland as co-chair, the European Union (EU), Lithuania, Belgium (Enabel), Ireland, and Sweden—as well as international financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the World Bank.
In the long term, the Coalition aims to establish a scalable and sustainable civil protection shelter system that will continue to protect the population and support Ukraine’s recovery and preparedness beyond the initiative’s duration
The initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and protect civilians by establishing a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable shelter system that ensures access to essential education, health, and community services in line with the national Shelter Strategy. The Coalition develops and rehabilitates civil protection infrastructure in the education, health, and community sectors, ensuring shelters are safe, accessible, and suitable for all users, including children and persons with disabilities. It supports new shelter construction and integrates shelters into public infrastructure through dual-use solutions, so facilities like schools and hospitals can operate normally in peacetime and provide protection during emergencies. The initiative includes capacity building, improved coordination among donors and partners, large-scale construction and rehabilitation, and the development of sustainable financing models for future expansion. While some activities are implemented through bilateral or multilateral arrangements, the primary focus is on delivering tangible infrastructure and system-level improvements. As a result, communities across Ukraine will benefit from increased safety, uninterrupted access to essential services, and more resilient local systems.