On 28 May, at the Cuboid Mathematics Museum, Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science together with SCM businesses, Metinvest and DTEK signed a Memorandum supporting the implementation of the Modern Learning Spaces project – an initiative aimed at creating modern educational environments in Ukraine’s academic lyceums. The project is coordinated by the East Europe Foundation.

Modern Learning Spaces forms part of the upper secondary school reform and responds to the growing shortage of specialists in engineering, technical, and natural science fields. The development of STEM education is a long-term investment in both Ukraine’s recovery and resilience of strategically important sectors for the state and business alike.

In 2026, the Ministry of Education and Science will allocate UAH 1.9 billion to equip around 250 educational institutions across Ukraine. The funding will support the creation of laboratories and classrooms for natural sciences and STEM disciplines, where students will be able not only to study theory, but also conduct experiments, work on projects, and develop practical skills.

“Ukraine needs engineers, technologists, researchers, and specialists capable of developing solutions for the country’s recovery, economic growth, and stronger security. Therefore, STEM education is now one of the key priorities of the New Ukrainian School reform. We are changing the very approach to educational environments – moving beyond the formal renovation of classrooms toward the creation of fully equipped modern learning spaces with contemporary technology, hands-on learning opportunities, and properly trained teachers,” said Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.

The project has received support from socially responsible Ukrainian businesses. SCM’s companies, including Metinvest and DTEK, have joined the initiative as partners and financed the work of the Implementation Support Team, which will help educational institutions develop classroom modernisation projects, oversee renovation works, install equipment, and launch modern learning spaces.

At the implementation stage, when communities move from funding to practical delivery, there is often a risk of losing momentum or compromising quality. Therefore, the Implementation Support Team will work alongside each institution – from planning renovations in line with Ministry guidelines to monitoring the quality of completed work during the installation of laboratories and classrooms.

Metinvest and DTEK have allocated around UAH 11 million to strengthen the quality of project implementation on the ground and joined the initiative as partners investing in the effective delivery of the reform.

“The future of Ukrainian industry is being shaped today in schools, laboratories, and universities. That’s why Metinvest has for many years been systematically building an end-to-end talent development model: from STEM initiatives for school students and cooperation with vocational education institutions to studies at Metinvest Polytechnic and subsequent employment opportunities. This approach not only helps reduce labour shortages and accelerate the training of young specialists for the workplace, but also helps cultivate a new generation of engineers needed both by the modern economy and by Ukraine’s future recovery,” said Tetiana Petruk, Chief Sustainability Officer at Metinvest Group.

For businesses, participation in the project is an investment in the country’s future technical workforce. The shortage of engineers, physicists, and technical specialists is already posing a challenge for the energy, metallurgy, and industrial sectors. Supporting STEM education means addressing this issue at an early stage, while students are still at school.

“DTEK has long worked systematically with young people to preserve and develop the sector’s human capital. We cooperate with specialised educational institutions, develop dual education programmes, and create opportunities for practical industrial training and professional development in Ukraine. Today we’ve joined the Modern Learning Spaces project because we believe it will help train the specialists already needed by the energy sector, industry, and technology fields,” emphasised Olena Semych, DTEK Academy Director and CHRO at DTEK. “As a reliable partner of the state and one of the country’s largest employers, through this project we are investing both in the future of the energy sector and in Ukraine as a whole.”

The Modern Learning Spaces project is coordinated by the East Europe Foundation, which is responsible for forming the support team, operational coordination, and assistance to educational institutions and local communities.

“East Europe Foundation consistently supports educational initiatives because the development of human capital is one of our strategic priorities. This includes improving citizens’ digital literacy, strengthening the competencies of public servants, and creating modern learning conditions for Ukrainian school students. The Modern Learning Spaces project is especially important because it helps turn reform ideas into high-quality results on the ground – modern educational spaces where students can not only study theory, but also experiment, work on projects, and develop technical skills. We are pleased to partner in implementing this initiative and help communities and educational institutions move through this process professionally, systematically, and without losing momentum,” said Vira Nedzvedska, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at East Europe Foundation.

The impact of this support will be reflected in clear and measurable results. By 1 September 2026, 143 pilot academic lyceums are expected to begin teaching under the new standards in fully equipped modern learning environments. In December 2026, the partners will present the first measurable assessment of the project’s outcomes, including implementation data, teacher feedback, and a public report.

Modern Learning Spaces is intended to become a comprehensive support mechanism that will help communities move from planning to high-quality implementation while maintaining standards and delivery timelines. Through expert support, local coordination, and oversight at every stage, the project aims not only to create modern educational spaces, but also to transform the broader learning environment and approaches to education.

Modern Learning Spaces is a project supporting the implementation of modern educational environments in Ukraine’s academic lyceums. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine as part of the World Bank programme, Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need (LEARN), in partnership with the East Europe Foundation and socially responsible Ukrainian businesses. Project partners include SCM (Metinvest and DTEK), EPAM Ukraine, Quantum Systems Ukraine, and other companies.