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A Child-Friendly Space helps communities stay resilient in Malynivka

Over 550 children in the Malynivka community, Kharkiv region, cannot attend school or communicate freely with peers due to the war. But the community is not giving up. Thanks to support from the civil sector, a Child-Friendly Space has been operating here for over a year — a place where children can be children again, and adults find vital psychosocial support.

The space was created by the NGO Responsible Citizens in partnership with UNICEF Ukraine. It offers a safe environment for play, learning, emotional recovery, and communication. Children of all ages are welcome, and adults who have experienced loss, evacuation, or separation receive social and psychological assistance.

“This is the flint that keeps us going through the hard years of war,” says Yevhen Chudnyi, deputy head of the local military administration.

These Child-Friendly Spaces are much more than play areas. They provide care, stability, and trust — all crucial in times of crisis. Parents also have a chance to emotionally recover and realize they are not alone.

Responsible Citizens, with support from UNICEF, has launched similar initiatives in more than 35 communities in Eastern Ukraine, including remote villages. Assistance is provided both in permanent spaces and through mobile psychosocial support teams.

🎥 Watch the video from Malynivka — care that helps communities stay strong:

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