Made in Ukraine: Over three years, communities have purchased more than 1,500 Ukrainian-made school buses

The School Bus programme has become one of the most successful state initiatives in the field of school infrastructure. Over three years, communities have acquired more than 1,500 buses to ensure safe and comfortable transport for children to educational institutions. Procurement is conducted through the Prozorro Market electronic catalogue, administered by the state institution “Professional Procurement,” ensuring a swift, transparent, and standardised process.

Total investment in the programme has exceeded UAH 5 billion. Funding is provided through a state subsidy covering 70% to 95% of the transport costs, with communities co-financing the remainder from local budgets.

“The School Bus programme is an example of a state policy that works holistically: for children, communities, and the economy. It ensures access to education, even in frontline regions, while supporting Ukrainian manufacturers during wartime. Over three years, more than 1,500 buses have been assembled at enterprises in Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Cherkasy. Over 200 companies are involved in production, providing jobs, orders for businesses, and tax revenue for the budget. This is why localisation policy and the Made in Ukraine programme remain strategic state priorities,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy.

In the first half of 2025, communities purchased 494 buses for UAH 1.9 billion. Some of these replaced buses destroyed due to the war. Competitive procedures via Prozorro Market saved over UAH 20 million, which can be redirected to other urgent needs.

Kyiv region leads in the number of procurements since the programme’s inception, with 158 buses. The top ten most active regions include:

• Lviv region – 137 buses,
• Dnipropetrovsk region – 98 buses,
• Poltava region – 90 buses,
• Ivano-Frankivsk region – 81 buses,
• Zakarpattia region – 79 buses,
• Rivne region – 76 buses,
• Zhytomyr region – 76 buses,
• Chernivtsi region – 72 buses,
• Ternopil region – 72 buses.

Thanks to the new buses, pupils from remote areas can travel to school daily in safe and comfortable conditions. The transport is particularly vital for students in frontline regions, enabling access to educational institutions with bomb shelters for in-person learning.

“School buses are a key component of the large-scale renewal of educational infrastructure supported by the government. Our goal is to provide all the tools for safe, in-person education,” said Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science.

By year-end, communities are expected to procure approximately 100 more buses. All school transport is manufactured in Ukraine, adhering to localisation requirements: at least 25% in 2025, increasing to 30% in 2026, and rising by 5% annually until reaching 40%.

“In 2025, communities plan to purchase around 100 more buses. With Prozorro Market, they can do so efficiently, as procurements take an average of 10 days. We also ensure a transparent process, so funds are spent effectively and truly meet children’s needs,” noted Yevhen Yakubovskyi, Director of “Professional Procurement.”

Background information

Since 2024, the School Bus programme has been implemented through financial cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility instrument.

The programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Education and Science in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy via Prozorro Market. It forms part of the Made in Ukraine national policy, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.