Experience exchange meeting: resilience centers in Bucha and Zaporizhzhia

A meeting was held in the Bucha Territorial Community, organized by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” as part of the project “Strengthening the Capacity of Communities in Providing Basic Protection and Resilience Services,” implemented with the support of UNICEF. The event brought together representatives of social services and local government bodies from the Zaporizhzhia and Bucha communities to exchange experiences in establishing and operating Resilience Centers.

Bucha, which already has significant experience in developing such centers, served as an important example for Zaporizhzhia, which faces numerous challenges, particularly due to its proximity to the front line.

As part of the educational visit program, participants toured the Bucha Territorial Community’s Resilience Center, studied regulatory documents governing the operation of such centers, and discussed the roadmap for implementing social assistance programs in Zaporizhzhia. A key aspect of the visit was familiarizing participants with the operational model of these centers, which includes providing various services and organizing infrastructure to support the community, especially in the post-war period.

Participants also explored topics related to volunteer engagement and stakeholder interaction.

The exchange of experience is particularly important for Zaporizhzhia, which, due to its proximity to the conflict zone and the large influx of internally displaced persons, faces unique challenges. The best practices for strengthening community resilience discussed at the meeting will help Zaporizhzhia implement effective models for delivering social services under difficult conditions.

Having experienced post-deoccupation recovery, Bucha shared not only theoretical but also practical knowledge with colleagues from Zaporizhzhia, which is invaluable for supporting local communities.

“The NGO ‘Responsible Citizens’ has been working for a long time to support territorial communities in difficult conditions. This experience exchange is a crucial step in our work, as it allows communities to study successful practices on-site, discuss challenges, and find ways to overcome them. With the support of UNICEF and our partners, we can contribute to strengthening community resilience and improving social services, which are critical for post-war recovery,” said Olga Kosse, Head of the board NGO “Responsible Citizens.”

Expressions of gratitude from the hosting side, led by Olena Renchka, Director of the Bucha Municipal Center for Social Services and Psychological Assistance, highlighted the importance of such an exchange for improving the work of social services in communities. She emphasized that this visit was a significant step toward strengthening joint efforts in restoring Ukraine’s social infrastructure.

The event was attended by representatives from Zaporizhzhia, including Marina Hennadiivna Borenos, Director of the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Social Services Center; Yuliia Fedorivna Nakonechna, Head of the Local Social Programs Department of the Zaporizhzhia City Council’s Department of Social Protection; and Liudmyla Vasylivna Tokarieva, Director of the Zaporizhzhia City Social Services Center.