50-year-old Espoo donates 50,000 euros to support Ukrainians
Espoo celebrates its 50th anniversary as a city this year. In honour of the anniversary, the city has decided to make a donation of EUR 50,000 to improve Ukrainian schoolchildren’s possibilities for distance learning.
“In this situation, it is clear that we want to give a donation to help Ukrainian children and young people,” says Mayor Jukka Mäkelä.
“Even though we are celebrating this year, we are always aware of the fact that the situation is catastrophic in other parts of the world. We feel that the city also has to take responsibility for society at a more global level. Therefore, we want to help those who are in serious distress,” says Jarno Limnéll, Chairperson of the City Council.
Support for schoolchildren together with the City of Kryvyi Rih and partners
Espoo’s donation will be allocated to collaboration in the field of education and early childhood education. The intention is to select Kryvyi Rih as the partner city.
“We have discussed the possibility of starting collaboration with Olga Dibrova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland. She has told us that the City of Kryvyi Rih would be an excellent partner for Espoo. It is a city of some 600,000 inhabitants, and we believe that we have a great deal of shared knowledge and things to learn from each other,” Mayor Mäkelä says.
The aim is to allocate the money to improving schoolchildren’s possibilities for distance learning. Negotiations with partners are under way. For example, Aalto University, Otava and Microsoft have expressed interest in the project.
“As Espoo is Finland’s leading city in education, we have a lot to offer in this area. Among other things, the Finnish education system aims to ensure that children and young people grow into adults who can think critically and apply their knowledge for the good of themselves and others and for the development of society. These skills will be of use in the reconstruction of Ukraine,” says Harri Rinta-aho, Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning.
Espoo also helps Ukrainians fleeing the war
As a result of the war, many Ukrainians have also sought shelter in Espoo. The City of Espoo’s Help Center, located in Leppävaara, provides advice and guidance on official matters, such as social services, school, housing and employment. The Help Center is operated by the City of Espoo, the Uusimaa District of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL), Luona Oy and the Finnish Red Cross.
There are also other assistance points operating in different parts of the city. These locations offer food and social support to Ukrainians.
“Volunteers play a major role in helping people who have fled the war in Ukraine. It has been truly heart-warming to see how helpful and active Espoo residents have been,” says Mayor Mäkelä.
“Today, 24 August, is Ukraine’s Independence Day. With this joint project, we would like to congratulate Ukrainians on their Independence Day on behalf of our city and the entire Espoo community,” Limnéll, Mäkelä and Rinta-aho say.