Resilience in action: how community-based organizations support war-affected people in Ukraine
Resilience in action: how community-based organizations support war-affected people in Ukraine
These community-led efforts are diverse, responding directly to emerging local needs. They help people access social services, advocate for their rights and become more self-reliant. At the same time, such organizations and their activities contribute to social cohesion and inclusion, especially for the most vulnerable groups as well as internally displaced people who are striving to rebuild their lives in a new place. This not only fosters resilience, but also empowers communities to rebuild from within and contribute to Ukraine’s long-term recovery.
Some organizations offer direct support such as psychosocial counseling and prevention of gender-based violence, while others create spaces where people can connect as a community and receive necessary support.
Around a third of the organizations are tied to local IDP Councils, with over 200 led by or with participation of internally displaced people themselves. The leadership of the organizations reflects Ukraine’s diverse communities – many are led by women, Roma and other minority groups, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, older people, and youth. This diversity helps ensure that all voices are heard, and no one is left behind.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, supports community-based organizations through various means, including institutional capacity-building training, material support, and financial grants, allowing communities to become more resilient while promoting social cohesion and improving access to services. Since the full-scale invasion started in 2022, the network of community-based organizations and community initiatives supported by UNHCR has grown significantly, now totaling 551 entities across the country. All organizations supported by UNHCR since 2022 can be found in this interactive map.
Healing through inclusion
“By including people with disabilities in everyday activities and creativity, we ensure they have access to opportunities and self-development in ways that are similar to their peers without disabilities,” says Mariya Chervak, the head of the NGO United by Love.
Based in Ivano-Frankivsk, United by Love was created to support social adaptation and inclusion of a diverse group, including local and internally displaced people with disabilities. It unites families with children, youth, and adults with autism spectrum disorders, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and other physical or psychological disorders. As of September 2024, this inclusive group consists of 116 permanent members, ranging in age from 6 to 48, who regularly participate in various NGO activities.
The activities of United by Love were expanded following the full-scale invasion, and they now offer inclusive workshops in creative crafts such as painting, weaving and pottery, while also providing physical rehabilitation. And all activities of the organization are open to all participants. In addition, United by Love has recently started working with social entrepreneurship, helping the participants generate income and become more self-reliant by selling their produced goods in the NGO’s shop.
The organization provides support to more than 300 families with children or youth with disabilities. They are not only from Ivano-Frankivsk region, but come from all over Ukraine, including internally displaced people from Odesa, Chernihiv, Kherson and Kyiv regions.
One of the participants at the centre is 33-year-old Liubomyr. He joined the NGO group in 2023 – and through attending the inclusive workshops, he not only benefitted from socializing, but also developed his fine motor skills which led to a significant decrease in epileptic seizures, dropping from once a day to just once a month.
“I really like padding, it's such an artistic technique, but honestly, I try to learn everything I can here,” says Liubomyr.
Lifelong learning
Challenging stereotypes about the old age population while empowering older people to lead active and social lives was the ambition, when Natalya Bondarenko, 62, founded her NGO, The Age of Happiness, back in 2017 in Sloviansk, Donetsk region.
The full-scale invasion forced Natalya, and her organization, to relocate from Donetsk to the Kirovohrad region – and here, the work of The Age of Happiness continues, empowering older people, be them internally displaced or from the local community, to embrace active, fulfilling and happy lives regardless of their age. The organization hosts media education classes, smartphone and computer training, art therapy, theatre play, and sports classes as well as psychological and legal support for community members.
“The main goal of my organization is to give people the reassurance that they have a future, that it is not over, that you have a life ahead. And you can use it to the fullest. Maybe you’ve never acted in a theatre, but now you’re on stage. You might have never studied English, and now you’re doing that too. Even mastering something as simple as a smartphone. Once a mystery, now you can navigate it, find medication, scan QR codes and video
One of the frequent participants at The Age of Happiness is 60-year-old , who was displaced to Kirovohrad from her home in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region:
"Relocating left me feeling isolated and deeply unsettled. I needed something meaningful to restore a sense of purpose, and that’s when I found The Age of Happiness. Now, I participate in forum theatre and drawing classes — activities I had always wanted to try but never had time for because of family responsibilities. For the first time in years, I feel like I can finally do the things I love. Now, I have the space to nurture my own interests. This has brought me a deeper sense of fulfillment, and as a result, I can now in the midst of war offer emotional support to my children and friends. My own cup is full, allowing me to give more to those I love," says Olena.
Inspiring a vision for the future
Anastasiia Demianchuk, 25, is an intern-doctor and a young leader, engaged in two different youth organizations in Kivertsi, Volyn region, aiming to improve various aspects of youth life – from personal development and community engagement to well-being and safety. Anastasia is firstly heading the youth сentre Tandem, which specializes in cultivating leadership skills amongst young people, and she is also youth coordinator in the School of safety and survival of children «TIVER», which addresses safety issues among children, adolescents, and vulnerable groups.
"We started addressing safety concerns even before the pandemic and the full-scale war. Now, at this time, this topic is of critical importance,” says Anastasiia.
“While safety remains a top priority, I also see a need to equip young people with the necessary skills, allowing them to fully realize their potential as citizens and future leaders. That is why at some point I decided to create a space that encourages young people to actively participate in the public life of our city," she adds.
The youth centre Tandem targets youth aged 14 to 35, and the primary objectives include advocating for the rights and freedoms of the younger population as well as creating a collaborative environment for community development. Key activities include cultivating leadership skills, promoting youth movements, implementing health and development programs, supporting cultural, sports, and educational initiatives, and engaging youth in public life.
"We aim to equip young people with practical skills that will truly benefit them in life. My hope is that through this, we not only help them grow and thrive, but also inspire a sense of hope and a vision for the future. I want to instill in them the desire to stay in Ukraine and be part of the movement to rebuild our country,” said Anastasiia.
In 2022, UNHCR supported the School of safety and survival of children «TIVER» with a financial grant to procure mannequins for the safety educational trainings. In 2024, both TIVER and Tandem are supported through UNHCR’s NGO partner Crimea SOS with capacity-building assistance, mentoring programs, and training sessions to enhance their impact.
Looking forward in 2025, UNHCR will continue to strengthen community-based protection systems in Ukraine by leveraging and supporting the role and capacity of civil society, including community-based organizations, IDP Councils, other community initiatives and volunteers.