This year, one and a half times more children will have a rest at Artek at the expense of the state budget than last year

The war radically changes the life of every Ukrainian, but children are especially vulnerable. They not only suffer from the physical and psychological effects of hostilities, but also face the loss of a sense of security, stability and a childhood that should be full of joy and development. In the conditions of war, it is important to provide children not only with basic needs, but also to create opportunities for the restoration of psychological health, social adaptation and the formation of positive memories. That is why the organization of recreation for children, especially those who belong to privileged categories, is extremely important.

Government decision on free tickets to Artek

The government made an important decision – one and a half times more children than last year will rest in the “Artek” International Children’s Center in 2025 with the funds of the state budget. About this reported Ministry of Social Policy. In particular, this year UAH 315.75 million will be allocated for the organization of rehabilitation and recreation for 14,300 children who need special social attention and support. For comparison, in 2024, almost 9,400 children recovered in Artek.

Categories of children entitled to free tickets to “Artek”:

1. Orphans and children deprived of parental care. They were left without adult care, so the state is obliged to create for them the most comfortable conditions for rest and recovery.
2. Children of combatants, including volunteers. These children see the heroism of their parents every day, but also feel the pain and fear of loss. Rest will help them restore their emotional balance.
3. Children of the fallen Defenders of Ukraine. It is important to support those who have lost loved ones due to the war, giving them the opportunity to rest and make new friends.
4. Children living on the contact line. They especially suffer from constant risk and fear, so they deserve quality rest.
5. Children with disabilities, capable of self-care. “Artek” creates safe and accessible conditions for recreation of children with special needs.
6. Natural children of adoptive parents and foster parents who live with them.
7. Children who are in difficult life circumstances. These are children who have suffered losses or live in dangerous conditions.
8. Children, one of whose parents has been diagnosed with a disability of the I or II group.
9. Children who are on dispensary registration. These are children with chronic diseases who need quality rest to maintain their health.
10. Children, one of whose parents died as a result of participation in civil protest actions.
11. Children whose parents died as a result of an accident at work or during the performance of official duties, including journalists.
12. Children who are internally displaced persons (IDPs).
13. Children who suffered as a result of natural disasters, man-made accidents or catastrophes.
14. Children of employees of the agro-industrial complex and the social sphere of the village.
15. Participants of children’s creative teams and sports teams.
16. Talented and gifted children.

Local authorities should pay special attention to children from the first five categories, because they are the ones who need the most support.

The State Service for Children organizes the distribution of vouchers from the state budget. It forms lists in accordance with the needs of regional and Kyiv city state administrations, which submit applications to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.

Artek: a place of recovery and new opportunities

International Children’s Center “Artek” is not just a camp, but a place where children can restore their psychological balance, find new friends, engage in creativity, sports and simply enjoy their childhood. Artek has a century-old history, and after the annexation of Crimea, it continued its activities on the territory controlled by Ukraine, in particular on the basis of sanatorium complexes in the Kyiv region and the Carpathians.

Rest in “Artek” is not only physical improvement, but also an important psychological aspect. After the trauma of war, loss and suffering, children need a safe environment where they can recover, find support, reveal their talents and receive positive emotions. This is especially important for children from privileged categories, who feel the burden of war most acutely.