Children of war are those who have been most traumatized by armed conflict. They lost their usual life, home, friends and were forced to seek refuge abroad. Providing these children with education, emotional support and the ability to adapt to new realities is a critically important task for the entire world. In 2025, the European Union continues to actively support Ukrainians affected by the war. One of the key initiatives was the package of financial assistance allocated by the European Commission for Ukrainian students studying in Poland.
The European Commission announced the allocation of 116 million euros to support the education of Ukrainian children in Polish schools. This information was made public on January 20 on the website of the European Commission. This aid covers about 30,000 Ukrainian students who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. Executive Vice President of the European Commission Roksana Minzatu emphasized the importance of this initiative. She emphasized that Poland has shown extraordinary hospitality since the beginning of the war, opening its homes to Ukrainians. Providing children with the opportunity to continue their education is important not only for their development, but also for their integration into a new environment.
This aid package is not an isolated initiative, but complements already existing support from the European Social Fund Plus (€96 million) and the Polish government (€20 million). Funds will be directed to key areas: attracting “multicultural” assistants to support children in schools, training teachers to work with students who have experienced traumatic events, as well as developing a system of psychological assistance. The importance of these measures cannot be overestimated, because for children affected by the war, school is not only a place of acquiring knowledge, but also a space of socialization and stability.
The integration of Ukrainian children into the education system of Poland is also aimed at ensuring their future participation in the European labor market. Education will help them acquire skills that will be needed later in life, and will also help them adapt to the cultural and social environment. Such support not only gives children hope, but also creates a solid foundation for their development as active participants in the European community.
As a reminder, by the end of 2024, more than 4.2 million Ukrainians who took advantage of the Temporary Protection Directive were registered in EU countries. This document gives the right to residence, employment, medical care and education. Poland, which hosts about a million Ukrainians, ranks second after Germany in terms of the number of granted temporary protection. This demonstrates the significant contribution of the country to the support of Ukrainians, in particular children, who are most in need of help.
Financial assistance of 116 million euros is an important step in providing Ukrainian children with quality education and support. It is not only about funds, but also about a long-term vision of the future, in which every child, regardless of life circumstances, will have a chance for development and a successful life. The European Union, the Polish government and the international community continue to prove that joint efforts can change the lives of thousands of people, helping the most vulnerable to find a new home and faith in a better tomorrow.
