Minderoo funding to protect 4,000 Ukrainian children in frontline communities
Minderoo Foundation will provide USD$500,000 to the Olena Zelenska Foundation to improve the safety and resilience of schools in communities near the frontline of war across Ukraine.
The announcement was made by Dr Andrew Forrest AO at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland.
In 2023, Minderoo Foundation contributed USD$1.128 million to the Olena Zelenska Foundation’s Room for Childhood programme, supporting the construction of three homes for large foster families displaced by the war.
Minderoo’s latest funding will support upgrades to bomb shelters and strengthen the energy resilience of schools in frontline oblasts like Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Poltava, helping ensure up to 4,000 children can continue learning safely despite the ongoing impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Every child in Ukraine deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and dream in safety, regardless of the challenges created by this war,” Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine and Founder of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, said.
“We are grateful to Minderoo Foundation for standing with Ukrainian families and communities at this critical time.
“This generous support will help strengthen the safety and resilience of up to 10 schools in frontline regions, ensuring thousands of children have access to secure shelters and reliable power when they need it most.”
“Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of international solidarity.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Minderoo Foundation has provided AUD$40 million to support humanitarian relief, agricultural recovery, demining, community resilience and accountability efforts.
“The future of Ukraine is not one of war, but one of prosperity and hope. That future starts in the classroom,” Dr Forrest said. “When children can learn safely, communities retain stability and confidence in the future.
“This partnership is about helping frontline communities withstand the daily realities of war while ensuring the next generation has every opportunity to succeed.
“Safe schools are an investment in Ukraine’s long-term recovery and prosperity.
“The courage and determination shown by the Ukrainian people continues to inspire the world. Minderoo Foundation is proud to stand alongside the Olena Zelenska Foundation in supporting practical solutions that protect children and help build a stronger Ukraine.”
The initiative comes as Ukrainian schools continue to face significant challenges from ongoing attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure. By improving both physical safety and energy security, the project will help communities maintain access to education while supporting the country’s long-term recovery.
The commitment forms part of Minderoo Foundation’s broader support for Ukraine and its people, helping strengthen community resilience and safeguard opportunities for the next generation.