In mid-December, the Prime Minister of Ukraine hosted a government meeting to take stock of the implementation of the School Nutrition Reform Strategy for 2023-2025. The Head of the EUACI was invited to the meeting to present the results of EUACI’s school canteen project.
Since Summer 2024, the EUACI has been monitoring the use of state subventions for the modernisation of school canteens. The project is part of the School Nutrition Reform, initiated by the First Lady Olena Zelenska, and aims to close gaps for corruption and prevent the inefficient use of state funds during the modernisation of school canteens.
Over two years of work:
- 355 school canteen modernisation projects were analysed;
- more than UAH 320 million of unjustified funds were identified;
- these savings were used to modernise canteens in 36 additional schools;
- procurement procedures were monitored and remote control of construction works was conducted allowing to identify and counter violations.
“There are many challenges and risks in construction projects in Ukraine. But our project has shown that it is possible to reduce these risks and to have significant savings. Our concept is based on Ukrainian experts, Ukrainian legislation and Ukrainian best practices – we are not bringing expensive experts from abroad. This concept can be replicated to many other construction processes. We have documented our work and we are keen to inspire others to do the same”, said the Head of the EUACI Allan Pagh Kristensen at the meeting.
In 2026, the EUACI will continue monitoring work in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Among the new areas is the analysis of prices for food and catering services of canteens to minimize corruption risks in procurement.
