First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, along with her team from the Olena Zelenska Foundation, visited the Åland Islands, an autonomous region of Finland.
The First Lady met with Speaker of Parliament Jörgen Pettersson and members of the government, expressing gratitude for their support of one of the Foundation’s largest projects – the restoration and equipping of shelters in schools and kindergartens.
In December 2024, the Olena Zelenska Foundation and the Åland Islands government signed a memorandum allocating €3 million for shelter construction.
“Finland has immense experience in building bomb shelters. Today, over 90% of the country’s population has access to them. These shelters were originally built as a response to Russian aggression – something we are now experiencing as well. There is much to learn from the Finnish people, and they understand the importance of this project better than anyone,” said the First Lady.
Currently, the Åland Islands are the largest partner of the Foundation in this project. The allocated funds will cover the restoration and equipping of 12 shelters in three regions – Dnipro, Chernihiv, and Odesa.
"The people of the Åland Islands, along with Finland, understand the value of freedom, democracy, and the right to self-determination. These principles were hard-won throughout our history. Today, we see these ideals reflected in Ukraine’s heroic struggle, and we firmly support the Ukrainian people in their pursuit of a future based on peace, dignity, and hope. The Åland Islands and Finland stand in solidarity with Ukraine – through shared support, unity, and the belief that freedom must always prevail," emphasized Jörgen Pettersson.
All shelters restored with support from the Åland Islands will be fully operational by the start of the new school year, providing safety for at least 5,000 children.
"These restored shelters will serve not only the students but also the residents of the communities where they are located, making them safe spaces for even more people," noted Nina Horbachova, Director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
The Foundation is equipping shelters in regions facing constant shelling by Russia, ensuring that children can return to in-person learning. So far, with donor support, 12 shelters have been set up across six regions, allowing over 8,000 children to resume offline education.
