A hot lunch in a modern school canteen constructed with respect of transparency and integrity may seem like a small detail. But perhaps it is from these “small things” that dignified childhoods, effective schools, and responsible communities begin. Because transparency and integrity are not slogans — they’re daily decisions about how public funds are spent.
To make this tangible for thousands of children across Ukraine, the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the School Nutrition Reform Team launched a joint cooperation on the monitoring of the 2024 state subvention funds allocated for the construction of school canteens. What makes it unique is the full-cycle monitoring — from project estimate documentation to the quality of completed construction work.
The goal is simple, yet strategic: to ensure transparent, effective, and integrity use of state subvention allocated to communities for modernisation of school canteens.
On 15 May, the main achievements of the joint work were presented by Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EUACI, Andriy Stashkiv, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, and Orest Stepaniak, Head of the School Nutrition Reform Team, to the First Lady Olena Zelenska during her working visit to Volynska Oblast.
The monitoring is not a one-time assessment — it is a systemic approach to assessing risks, preventing misuse, and supporting local governments. As of now, the team is completing its analysis of 2024 projects and is already working on subvention funds of 2025.
“It is very relevant as the process of submitting schools projects for the new subvention-2025 is still ongoing. This is a vivid and important example of how the combination of state funds, international support, local concern and knowledge of their needs has provided specific children with the best nutrition and conditions for its preparation. And this path is available to all schools and communities in order to improve the lives of young Ukrainians and do so with respect for transparency, integrity and accountability,” – Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EUACI, said.
Key outcomes:
• 187 projects were reviewed before construction began. As a result, over 130 million UAH in ineligible expenses were identified and redirected to 20 additional projects.
• 233 procurement procedures were analysed — from pricing to specifications. In 77 cases, violations were identified and in most cases steps taken to correct the situation and to implement experts’ recommendations.
• Ukraine’s first-ever system of distance technical supervision was launched. 126 projects are monitored through photo reports, budgets, implementation documents, and a dashboard with over 80 technical indicators.
• More than 1,500 participants from across Ukraine completed training — gaining not only knowledge, but also the confidence to act responsibly.
• Two practical manuals were developed for public purchasers and contractors. These are not about theory — they’re ready-to-use tools for implementation.
There are many challenges and risks in construction projects in Ukraine. But it is possible to reduce these risks – and that is what cooperation between EUACI, the Ministry and School Nutrition reform team has proved. We believe that we reduced corruption risks, saved funds and managed to correct many irregularitie
The model we have created is scalable. The mechanisms we have developed are ready for replication. And not just for school canteens.
