Cultivating a love of books among children and young people is an important aspect of shaping the cultural, intellectual and spiritual development of society. Reading helps to develop imagination, critical thinking, enriches language and contributes to the understanding of complex life issues. That is why government initiatives aimed at popularizing the book are important for the future generation. One of these initiatives was the new eBook project launched in the Action application on December 16, 2024. However, this program caused both interest and questions about its feasibility and implementation.
The essence of the program is the Book
From now on, every 18-year-old Ukrainian can receive 908 hryvnias, which can be spent on buying books in the Ukrainian language, published in Ukraine. About this reported Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal in his Telegram channel, emphasizing that the main goal of the project is to popularize reading among young people and support Ukrainian book publishing, which suffered from Russian aggression. According to official reports, the eKnyga program provides financial support for young people to purchase Ukrainian books.
To use the program, you need to follow a few simple steps in the “Action” application:
- Select the “Services” section – eKnyga.
- Open a special bank account from the list of partners.
- Apply for payment.
Funds can be spent within three months after their accrual in bookstores participating in the program. If the money is not used, it will return to the Ukrainian Book Institute.
The position of People’s Deputy Nina Yuzhanina regarding the eBook project
According to People’s Deputy Nina Yuzhanina, the eBook project raises several important questions. For example, why exactly 908 hryvnias? The amount corresponds to 0.3 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons (3,028 hryvnias). However, this amount may seem insufficient to purchase a large number of books, given today’s prices.
In addition, the financing of the program depends on the availability of funds in the accounts of the Ukrainian Book Institute. The government predicted in advance that in the event of a lack of funding, payments would be stopped. In particular, for 2025, the budget plans to allocate 278.5 million hryvnias to support the Book Institute, which is 40% less than in 2024. This means that the funds will be enough for only half of the potential recipients of aid.
In addition, the People’s Deputy emphasizes the expediency of this program, because in the future, not only 18-year-olds, but also babies will receive books.
“As stipulated by the Resolution of the CMU dated 03.12.2024 No. 1385, in the future money for books will not only be given to 18-year-olds. Starting from January 1 of the year following the end or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine, state assistance for the purchase of books will be provided and at the birth of a child.
As the First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Galina Grigorenko reported, the habit of reading should be formed much earlier than at the age of 18. But from diapers!?
The implementation of the eBook program is carried out by the state institution “Ukrainian Book Institute” at the expense of the state budget within the limits of the expenditures provided by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications for the stated purpose in the state budget for the relevant year. Why exactly 908 hryvnias? Because the assistance within the framework of eKnyga is set at the level of 0.3 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons (3,028 hryvnias)”. – believes Yuzhanina, by sharing with your thoughts in Telegram.
In addition, in his Facebook People’s Deputy added her position regarding this project:
“It turned out that eKnyga is a program not only for 18-year-old Ukrainians, but also for babies. One of the parents will be able to receive assistance within one year from the day of the child’s birth. However, the program of assistance for the purchase of books upon the birth of a child will only start after the end of the war.
It is not known why the authorities believe that in the first year of a child’s life, the most important thing is to help with the purchase of books.
And in general, all this is no longer funny. How easily “love” is obtained or returned.
