By Aivaras Karalius | Member of the Management Board
Report on the Opening of the Bucha Forest Classroom
Introduction
The Bucha Forest Classroom, a modern ecological educational space for children, was officially opened in Bucha, Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in the city’s educational recovery and community rebuilding efforts. The project was implemented under the European Commission’s New European Bauhaus initiative and represents the first completed project of this programme in Ukraine, integrating sustainability, aesthetics, and social responsibility into educational infrastructure.
The opening of the Forest Classroom symbolizes resilience, international solidarity, and a forward-looking vision for education in a city deeply affected by war.
Project Background and Vision
The Bucha Forest Classroom is an extension of the broader Bucha School initiative, launched after 2022 to restore and modernize educational infrastructure damaged during the war. The concept was to create a smaller, nature-integrated learning environment that complements formal schooling while supporting children’s mental well-being and environmental awareness.
Designed as a sustainable outdoor learning hub located in a park setting, the classroom connects students directly with nature and provides an innovative environment for science, ecology, and experiential education. The initiative also responds to increased demand for educational spaces due to damaged schools and the influx of displaced children in the region.
Opening Event and Key Achievements
The opening ceremony gathered representatives of local authorities, international partners, businesses, volunteers, and community members who contributed to the project’s realization. The classroom stands as a strong example of cross-sector collaboration, uniting international business, NGOs, and local communities around a shared social goal.
Key contributions included:
43 socially responsible companies supporting the project with funding, materials, and equipment
118 volunteers from Lithuania and Ukraine participating in the construction
323 private donors contributing financial support
Approximately €200,000 raised through combined funding and in-kind donations
The initiative was coordinated by the Charity Organization Support Fund for Bucha School in cooperation with the Bucha City Municipality and international partners.
Educational and Environmental Features
The Bucha Forest Classroom is designed as a multifunctional educational and community space capable of hosting up to 30 students at a time and serving thousands of children through ecological education programmes.
Key features of the classroom include:
A greenhouse with direct access from the classroom
Raised garden beds for hands-on learning
Equipment for children’s environmental media and podcast projects
Nature-based learning infrastructure focused on biodiversity and sustainability
The structure utilizes sustainable, low-carbon construction materials such as wood and straw panels, aligning with circular construction principles and environmental responsibility.
Community Impact and Symbolism
Beyond its educational function, the Forest Classroom serves as a community hub for workshops, environmental activities, and psychological support in a calm natural setting. It strengthens social cohesion and supports emotional recovery through nature-based learning and engagement.
The project also highlights the growing cooperation between Lithuanian and Ukrainian partners, demonstrating how responsible business and civil society can contribute to long-term educational recovery and sustainable urban development.
Importantly, the classroom is expected to provide ecological education to more than 12,000 children over time, fostering environmental awareness and responsible attitudes toward nature from an early age.
A Model of Sustainable Reconstruction
The Bucha Forest Classroom exemplifies the principles of the New European Bauhaus by combining sustainability, inclusivity, and community-led design. Selected through a competitive European grant process, the project emphasizes participatory co-creation, with children and local residents actively involved in shaping the space.
As a nature-integrated educational facility, it contributes to biodiversity awareness, innovative pedagogy, and climate-conscious construction practices, while also addressing the shortage of educational capacity in post-war Bucha.
Conclusion
By bringing together international partners, volunteers, businesses, and the local community, the project demonstrates how sustainable, human-centered design can support both education and healing.
As Bucha continues to rebuild, the Forest Classroom stands as a lasting investment in children’s futures, environmental stewardship, and resilient community development, reinforcing the role of education as a cornerstone of post-war recovery and long-term societal resilience.
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