UNESCO Launches Action Plan to Support Science in Ukraine
04 July 2025
Kyiv, July 3, 2025 — UNESCO officially launched its Action Plan "Building a Robust Science Ecosystem in Ukraine" at a high-level event titled "Science and Innovation for Ukraine’s Recovery", held in Kyiv on July 3. The event gathered over 100 leaders from Ukraine’s scientific, governmental, diplomatic, and international communities.
Developed in close collaboration with more than 60 Ukrainian partners since 2024, the Action Plan outlines concrete measures to support Ukraine’s scientific sector during a critical period of national recovery. Key objectives include:
- Strengthen research infrastructure;
- Support young scientists;
- Boost international scientific cooperation;
- Deepen Ukraine’s integration into the European and global research space.
To implement its core activities, the Plan foresees a funding requirement of $18 million for 2025–2026.
“Despite the war, the Ukrainian scientific sector continues to dedicate itself to supporting the country's reconstruction and recovery,” said Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, Head of the UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine.
In his opening remarks, Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of investing in science as part of the country’s future:
“Today, we are not only preserving Ukraine’s scientific potential, we are laying the foundation for its global role in the future. We are confident in the ability of Ukrainian scientists to make a significant contribution to addressing key global challenges. And it is our responsibility to create the conditions for that to happen. I am grateful to our international partners for supporting science as a part of our shared security and growth. Together, we are shaping the future, built on knowledge, technology, and trust.”
The Action Plan is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the German Embassy in Kyiv, the European Union in Ukraine, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Junior Academy of Sciences, the National Research Foundation, and numerous other international partners.
Through this collaborative effort, UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that science remains central to Ukraine’s recovery and long-term resilience.
The full text of the action plan is available at the link.
Zhanna Sirkovych
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