AWARE

Advancing Psychosocial Wellbeing and Resilience in Early Childhood Education in Ukraine

Project information

Project	Advancing Psychosocial Wellbeing and Resilience in Early Childhood Education in Ukraine (AWARE)
Duration	1.8.2025-31.12.2027
Partners	Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (KKNU), Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav (HSUP)
Funders	Team Finland Knowledge programme (TFK) in the Finnish National Agency for Education
Budget	85 000 €

Our aim is to strengthen early childhood education (ECE) in Ukraine by developing inclusive, trauma-informed training for educators working with war-affected children

We bring expertise in co-creation and pedagogical innovation.

Ensuring equal access to quality preschool education is a national priority in Ukraine. In 2021, Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science published the Early Childhood Education Standard, which aligns with the Finnish national core curriculum for ECE. It promotes competence-based, child-centered learning, social development and continuity between ECE and basic education. In the beginning of year 2025 in Ukraine, a new law on Preschool Education came into force, introducing significant changes to the educational process, teacher roles, and parental choice. Responding to the new law, national reform goals and the urgent need for psychosocial support for Ukrainian preschool children, we enhance institutional capacity, improve educator competencies and promote psychosocial wellbeing and resilience in ECE settings. The law emphasises high-quality, inclusive education in psychologically safe environments, reflecting the realities of war, displacement and disrupted educational continuity. It calls for updated curricula, trauma-informed pedagogy, flexible delivery models, and stronger partnerships between families and institutions. The new law significantly increases demand for well-trained, resilient educators able to meet the needs of war-affected children.

HAMK, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav will focus on co-creating two new 3 ECTS modules. One for the master’s level and one post-diploma module for in-service educators. Together we will offer models of best practice that can support Ukraine in its transition.

Target group

We want a lasting impact on participating HEIs, educators, and the broader Ukrainian ECE system. Educators working with war-affected children are our main target group.