Supporting a community on its path to recovery
Supporting a community on its path to recovery
Having survived aerial bombardments, artillery fire and occupation, some 30,000 residents of the Ivankiv community in the Kyiv region are now witnessing the reconstruction, revitalization and recovery of their community.
Located 90 km north of Kyiv, this was one of the first communities to experience the Russian full-scale invasion in the week following 24 February 2022. Although the area was retaken by the Ukrainian forces in April 2022, the invasion had left a heavy mark with damaged homes and widespread destruction. A total of 2,200 building structures including schools, medical facilities and administrative service buildings were impacted, which meant a significant disruption of public services for the people in the community.
In 2023, and upon an initial suggestion from the regional authorities of the Kyiv Oblast Administration, Ivankiv was identified as a pilot area for an UN-led Durable Solutions initiative. To support the community to recover and enable displaced people to return to Ivankiv and their pre-invasion life, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the UN Development Program, UNDP, and the International Organization for Migration, IOM, joined forces to support the hromada to rebuild and revitalize the community, in close coordination with the local and regional authorities, as well as civil society.
While other actors have removed mines and debris and reconstructed water pipes to restore the water supply, UNHCR contributed to the repair of the local lyceum and the cultural centre, the establishment of a sports complex, and has repaired more than 250 private homes and installed 18 pre-fabricated homes for families, whose houses were damaged beyond repair - allowing Ivankiv residents to remain in or return to their home community.
Most projects were finalized in 2023, with some continuing this year, and there are plans for further reconstruction ahead. The head of the Ivankiv Village Council, Tetiana Svyrydenko, sees clear signs that the joint recovery projects are bringing life back to the community, and even hopes that the area can attract tourists in the future.
“UNHCR is one of our primary international partners. The reconstruction process is an important signal for the local population that Ivankiv community is returning to normal life. Currently, together with UNHCR, we are working on repairing another cultural centre in Obukhovychi village, where unique examples of decorative art are exhibited. A lot of local residents are artisans themselves. This will make our community thrive and prosper,” she says.
See three examples of key facilities that have been restored or revitalized to support vital public services and the social cohesion in the Ivankiv community.
Reconstruction of Olyva Cultural centre
In Olyva, a small village in Ivankiv, UNHCR and its NGO partner Rokada have restored a local cultural centre, located in an 80-year-old building. At the peak of the hostilities in Kyiv region, three rockets landed near the centre, destroying almost everything inside. The damaged windows have now been replaced and the building grid has been repaired. The centre has also been provided with laptops, furniture and new books for a library.
In Olyva, a small village in Ivankiv, UNHCR and its NGO partner Rokada have restored a local cultural centre, located in an 80-year-old building. At the peak of the hostilities in Kyiv region, three rockets landed near the centre, destroying almost everything inside. The damaged windows have now been replaced and the building grid has been repaired. The centre has also been provided with laptops, furniture and new books for a library.
Valentyna and Yuliia used to work here before the war, and they were glad to return after the cultural centre was rebuilt.
“The center is the heartbeat of our community. We used to organize events and celebrations, marking Independence Day, Christmas or Easter. Our local singers gathered people here, and we had folk festivals. Our community was strongly united. I am so relieved to see that everything gradually returns to normal, even though the hostilities are still ongoing,” Valentyna says.
Valentyna and Yuliia used to work here before the war, and they were glad to return after the cultural centre was rebuilt.
“The center is the heartbeat of our community. We used to organize events and celebrations, marking Independence Day, Christmas or Easter. Our local singers gathered people here, and we had folk festivals. Our community was strongly united. I am so relieved to see that everything gradually returns to normal, even though the hostilities are still ongoing,” Valentyna says.
In Olyva, a small village in Ivankiv, UNHCR and its NGO partner Rokada have restored a local cultural centre, located in an 80-year-old building. At the peak of the hostilities in Kyiv region, three rockets landed near the centre, destroying almost everything inside. The damaged windows have now been replaced and the building grid has been repaired. The centre has also been provided with laptops, furniture and new books for a library.
In Olyva, a small village in Ivankiv, UNHCR and its NGO partner Rokada have restored a local cultural centre, located in an 80-year-old building. At the peak of the hostilities in Kyiv region, three rockets landed near the centre, destroying almost everything inside. The damaged windows have now been replaced and the building grid has been repaired. The centre has also been provided with laptops, furniture and new books for a library.
Revival of the Kukhari Lyceum
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
In the village of Kukhari, the local lyceum, which was heavily damaged by an air strike during the first months of the full-scale invasion, has been fully restored. This meant that children could return to the classroom and continue their education. UNHCR supported the reconstruction by replacing windows and doors and supplying other building materials to create a safe and welcoming environment for students.
As hostilities are still ongoing UNHCR also equipped the school’s bomb shelter, making the institution fully operational and allowing 60 students to return to full-time, in-person learning.
Additionally, the restoration of the school also meant an opportunity to provide new facilities to the Kukhari village Starostat, the seat of the Head of Village. UNHCR supported the construction of office facilities within the lyceum, allowing the village council staff to relocate here. With the village’s original administrative building completely destroyed, this solution ensured that essential administrative services for the residents could resume.
Establishment of a sports complex in Ivankiv
Near Ivankiv’s largest educational institution, School №1, UNHCR together with IOM and UNDP has constructed a modern stadium and sports complex. This facility goes beyond just serving as a space for physical activity for the pupils at the school – it also aims to foster well-being and a strong sense of community for the residents.
The complex includes a football field, running tracks, and other essential sports equipment, offering a safe space for some 1,000 children, youths, and adults to engage in different leisure activities. Initiatives like this stadium help restore a sense of normalcy, providing a platform for social interaction, contributing to improved mental health.
Near Ivankiv’s largest educational institution, School №1, UNHCR together with IOM and UNDP has constructed a modern stadium and sports complex. This facility goes beyond just serving as a space for physical activity for the pupils at the school – it also aims to foster well-being and a strong sense of community for the residents.
The complex includes a football field, running tracks, and other essential sports equipment, offering a safe space for some 1,000 children, youths, and adults to engage in different leisure activities. Initiatives like this stadium help restore a sense of normalcy, providing a platform for social interaction, contributing to improved mental health.
Near Ivankiv’s largest educational institution, School №1, UNHCR together with IOM and UNDP has constructed a modern stadium and sports complex. This facility goes beyond just serving as a space for physical activity for the pupils at the school – it also aims to foster well-being and a strong sense of community for the residents.
The complex includes a football field, running tracks, and other essential sports equipment, offering a safe space for some 1,000 children, youths, and adults to engage in different leisure activities. Initiatives like this stadium help restore a sense of normalcy, providing a platform for social interaction, contributing to improved mental health.
UNHCR continues to support durable solutions and early recovery in Ukraine, including through area-based approaches like this in Ivankiv - in close coordination with local authorities and a wide-range of stakeholders.
In 2024, UNHCR has led the coordination of similar initiatives in Markariv and Borodianka in Kyiv region as well as in Drohobych in Lviv region. UNHCR is also involved in pilot community recovery and durable solutions initiatives in nine other communities across six regions, where coordination is led by other UN agencies or NGOs.
