Politics
Renovated hospital and preschool open in Lviv Oblast with EU bank support
- Lviv’s St Luke’s Hospital has been upgraded to provide better medical care and a more resilient environment for patients, visitors and healthcare workers amid wartime challenges.
- Preschool No.7 in Truskavets has been renovated to improve energy efficiency to provide a stable learning space for children and educators, including those displaced by the war.
- These projects are part of the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, aimed at rebuilding essential social infrastructure in Ukrainian communities.
As Ukraine marks three years of Russia’s full-scale war, the European Union continues to support the reconstruction of the country’s vital infrastructure. Two public buildings in Lviv Oblast – St Luke’s Hospital in Lviv and preschool No.7 “Dzvinochok” in Truskavets – have officially opened after renovations. Supported by the European Union and its financial arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), these projects are part of the broader Ukraine Early Recovery Programme that funds the restoration of essential social infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, water and heating systems and social housing. As war-affected communities continue to face immense challenges, these investments help ensure access to critical services and create more resilient spaces.
Lviv’s St Luke’s Hospital, a key emergency and specialised care centre, has undergone a €940 000 renovation to improve services for its 50 000 annual patients. Home to western Ukraine’s largest burn unit, it plays a crucial role in treating severe injuries. The upgrades, in particular facade insulation and energy efficiency improvements, enhance the hospital’s resilience while creating a more comfortable space for patients, including internally displaced persons.
A €330 000 renovation of preschool No.7 “Dzvinochok” in Truskavets, Lviv Oblast, has created a more energy-efficient and welcoming learning space for pupils including for children displaced by the war and for staff. The project significantly increased the appeal of the building, while increasing its energy efficiency and reducing energy costs. With improved insulation the preschool is now more resilient and sustainable.
In Lviv Oblast, two facilities have already been renovated and six are undergoing reconstruction under the EIB recovery programmes, with a total investment of over €15 million. This includes six educational institutions and two medical facilities, improving access to education and healthcare in the region.
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, said: “From day one of Russia’s full-scale war and throughout these three difficult years, the EIB has stood by Ukraine, providing vital support to help the country withstand, recover and rebuild. The reopening of renovated hospital and school in Lviv Oblast is a testament to this ongoing effort, bringing tangible improvements to people’s daily lives.”
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová said: “Every rebuilt hospital, school, and kindergarten sends a clear message: the EU stands firmly with Ukraine. Together with the EIB, we are not only helping to repair what has been damaged but also laying the foundations for a stronger, safer Ukraine that is ready to thrive as part of the EU.”
Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “Together with the EIB, EU Delegation and UNDP, we are modernising outdated and war-damaged infrastructure across Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians already benefit from renovated schools, hospitals and kindergartens. We have recently launched the first phase of the Ukraine Recovery III programme, paving the way for additional impactful initiatives that will enhance communities and improve the lives of Ukrainians thanks to the EU support.”
Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko said: “Rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure is crucial for strengthening resilience and improving living conditions for our people. With the support of the EU, we are delivering critical projects that enhance healthcare, education and public services. The three EIB-backed recovery programmes, worth €640 million, play a key role in this effort, helping communities rebuild and move forward despite ongoing challenges.”
Head of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi said: “The EU bank’s investment in Lviv Oblast is strengthening our region’s infrastructure at a critical time. With many communities hosting large numbers of displaced people, improving healthcare, education and essential services is more important than ever. These projects help ensure that our cities and towns remain functional, resilient and able to meet the needs of all who live here.”
Mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovyi said: “Restoring and strengthening our city’s infrastructure is essential to supporting both our residents and those who have found refuge here due to the war. With the support of the EU, we are rebuilding vital facilities to ensure Lviv remains a city of resilience, opportunity and hope. Today, we inaugurated a renovated hospital, with many other projects underway to improve daily life and build a stronger future for our community.”
Mayor of Truskavets Andriy Kulchynsky said: “We are grateful to the EU for this investment in our community. The renovation of Preschool No.7 creates a warm, modern and energy-efficient space where our children can learn and grow.”
UNDP Resident Representative to Ukraine Jaco Cilliers said: “Behind every rebuilt hospital and renovated school, we see renewed hope for Ukrainian families and communities. UNDP’s partnership with local authorities isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about restoring essential services that affect people’s daily lives. Working alongside the EU and EIB, we’re helping transform technical recovery projects into tangible improvements for children seeking education, patients needing care and citizens rebuilding their futures.”
Background information
EIB in Ukraine
The EIB Group has been supporting Ukraine’s resilience, economy and efforts to rebuild since the very first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In 2024, the Bank supported projects aimed at securing Ukraine’s energy supply, repairing critical infrastructure that has been damaged, and ensuring that essential services continue to be delivered across the country. This brings the total amount of aid the EIB has disbursed since the start of the war to over €2.2 billion.
EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine
Renovations of a hospital and kindergarten in Lviv Oblast were carried out under the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme (UERP), a €200 million multisectoral framework loan from the EIB. Overall, the Bank finances three recovery programmes, totalling €640 million, which are provided as framework loans to the government of Ukraine. Through these programmes, Ukrainian communities gain access to financial resources to restore essential social infrastructure, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, housing, heating, and water systems. These EIB-backed programmes are further supported by €15 million in EU grants to facilitate implementation. The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, coordinates and oversees the programme implementation, while local authorities and self-governments are responsible for managing recovery sub-projects. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. More information about the programmes is available here.
Politics
Closing vaccination gaps, reaching every community
European Immunization Week is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the vital role immunisation plays to prevent diseases and protect life. This year’s EIW runs from 27 April to 3 May.
Vaccination is not only an act of self-protection but also one of solidarity, and one which offers both immediate and long-term benefits, even if they might not be visible directly: vaccines protect individuals from potentially serious diseases and in the long run also protect others by reducing spread of infections. That way, vaccination is not only an act of self-protection but also one of solidarity. Without widespread vaccination, many diseases that are now rare thanks to vaccines, could return.
Successful vaccination programmes are built on understanding and responding to people’s beliefs, concerns, and expectations, and large parts of the population in European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries follow the national vaccine recommendations in their countries.
However, in 2023 and 2024, case reports of diseases such as measles and pertussis surged following a period of low transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Routine childhood vaccination coverage, particularly for measles, remains below the recommended threshold in several countries.
In this context, social and behavioural science approaches can help identify and address barriers to vaccination and improve uptake in populations with lower coverage rates through tailored interventions.
Join our digital event bridging epidemiology and social sciences to identify, understand and find joint solutions to address barriers against vaccination, close immunity gaps and improve vaccination coverage across the EU/EEA.
Politics
ECDC and Africa CDC visit WHO Academy in Lyon
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Strengthening global health security and responding to emerging health challenges requires strong partnerships and the continuous exchange of expertise among public health institutions.
The visit took place at the newly inaugurated WHO Academy in Lyon – a modern facility dedicated to public health training and capacity building. The Academy works to integrate learning needs on current and emerging public health priorities at the global, regional, national, and community levels. The event was hosted by Melinda Frost, Learning Design and Production Unit Head, WHO Academy and Andros Theo, Biomanufacturing Learning Specialist, WHO Academy.
The learning exchange aimed to foster meaningful collaboration among the participating institutions. A primary goal was to advance the co-creation of a joint learning project that leverages the strengths and expertise of each organisation.
Additionally, the exchange sought to facilitate the sharing and comparison of approaches to training development and delivery, enabling a deeper understanding of best practices across the three institutions.
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Politics
InnoNext Opens Doors for EIT Talent and Startups Across Europe
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community can now engage in a new matchmaking platform designed to foster cross-sector innovation. InnoNext, a collaborative initiative powered by the European Innovation Council (EIC), opens fresh opportunities for EIT Community members to participate in fully funded Innovation Internships across Europe.
Through this platform, graduates from EIT Label programmes and EIT-supported startups can access tailored placements that connect academic talent with business needs. The goal: to strengthen innovation, accelerate scale-ups and bridge research with industry.
What Is InnoNext?
InnoNext is a pan-European initiative offering Innovation Internships to high-potential talent from across EU-funded programmes, including the EIC, EIT, European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and Horizon Europe Research Infrastructures.
By aligning entrepreneurial ambition with academic expertise, the programme supports research commercialisation, fosters business growth and enhances the societal impact of European innovation.
Who Can Take part?
Talents
- students or graduates from EIT Label Master’s or Doctoral programmes
- EIT Alumni members
- researchers from other postdoctoral training programmes funded by the EIT Community
Startups and SMEs
- startups and SMEs supported by the EIT Community and its business creation services
- businesses founded with support from Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs)
- companies that have partnered with KICs for innovation activities
- startups or scale-ups with at least one co-founder who is an EIT Alumni member
How it Enhances Impact
For talents, InnoNext offers the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world business challenges, while gaining valuable entrepreneurial and professional experience. Participants can build strong networks within Europe’s innovation ecosystem and receive financial support for a fully funded internship lasting three to six months.
For startups and SMEs, the programme offers access to highly specialised research talent, enabling them to host internships without financial burden. Through the InnoNext platform’s AI-driven matching system, companies can find candidates aligned with their innovation needs and benefit from fresh insights to support product development and scale-up efforts.
This initiative echoes the EIT’s broader mission and achievements in nurturing innovation — having supported over 9 900 ventures, launched 2 450+ new products and trained more than 880 000 individuals in critical innovation and entrepreneurial skills.
By connecting academic and entrepreneurial minds across several of Europe’s pioneering agencies, InnoNext represents a collaborative step forward in the EU’s long-term strategy to boost innovation, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Check your eligibility and register
For more information, contact the team at info@innonext-project.eu.
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