The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Kyiv participated in the inauguration of an Educational Hub in the city of Samara, located in the Dnipropetrovsk region, near the war front. The project, funded by Italian Cooperation and implemented in collaboration with the Association for Innovative and Digital Education and Helpcode, is a concrete response to the daily challenges faced by students and the local population.
In a context where schools cannot regularly host students due to frequent alarms and a lack of adequate bomb shelters, the Educational Hub serves as an innovative learning center. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and interactive teaching tools, the Hub allows students to continue their education remotely, ensuring continuity and addressing the learning gaps caused by the war.
In addition to providing educational support, the Hub stands out as a crucial point for psychosocial assistance. Specialized psychologists and educators offer emotional support to children, families, and vulnerable groups. The initiative also includes the training of trainers (ToT) on critical topics such as Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, enhancing the local community’s resilience in coping with the effects of the conflict.
“The Educational Hub in Samara represents an important resource for the local community and the many internally displaced persons who have fled to the Dnipro region from nearby occupied territories. In a situation where access to education is fragmented, the Hub not only provides advanced educational tools but also essential psychosocial support,” said Pietro Pipi, Head of the AICS office in Kyiv.
This project is part of the Emergency Initiative aimed at supporting populations affected by the conflict in Ukraine and neighboring countries, with a total funding of €46.5 million from Italian Cooperation. The initiative supports 26 projects implemented by Italian, international, and local civil society organizations, providing humanitarian aid in sectors such as education, health, protection, sanitation, emergency assistance, and demining, benefiting over 900,000 people. This project builds on the success of the first AICS emergency call in 2022, which allocated €14 million to 14 projects in Ukraine, improving the living conditions of over 150,000 vulnerable individuals.
