Accessibility of Ukrainian Education for Young People from Temporarily Occupied Territories: Difficulties and Challenges

A number of NGOs, including East SOS, have appealed to the Ministry of Education and Science to ensure the allocation of a sufficient number of state-funded places for children and youth from temporarily occupied territories (TOT) to enter Ukrainian higher education institutions.

The enrollment process for applicants from the TOT is currently underway. However, despite the guaranteed right to free education, this year many face a shortage of state-funded places at Ukrainian universities.

According to regulations, if there are not enough state-funded places, students may be enrolled on a contract basis with the right to transfer to vacant budget-funded spots later. In cases where vacancies remain insufficient, the higher education institution must submit a request for additional state-funded places, after which the state customer makes a decision.

Unfortunately, applicants from the TOT are currently among the last in line for transfer to state-funded education compared to other privileged categories. This leaves their chances of obtaining free education extremely limited. At the same time, many families cannot afford tuition fees on their own, and even those with financial resources often face restrictions on accessing banking services under temporary occupation.

As a result, many children and young people from the TOT—despite their determination to build a future in Ukraine—are deprived of the opportunity to study in their own country and are left without support.

This situation poses a dual problem: it undermines the realization of the fundamental right to education for these applicants, and it represents a serious loss for Ukraine as a whole. These young people are a powerful resource for the country’s future. They will play a key role in rebuilding Ukraine and can become drivers of change in their communities after de-occupation.

The full text of the appeal is available below.