How to Support Those Nearby: A Humanitarian Discussion at the Kharkiv Forum
The event “Kharkiv Region: The Power of Law in the Fight for Freedom” was held with the support of the project “Human Rights for Ukraine, Phase II,” implemented by UNDP in Ukraine and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Olena Khvatynets, the regional coordinator of projects for the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in the Kharkiv region, participated in the forum.
“Social and psychological support for the population is not a one-time aid but a consistent presence alongside those in need. In collaboration with UNICEF, we are developing Child-Friendly Spaces where ongoing work is conducted with children, adolescents, and adults. The expertise of our Space specialists is continuously analyzed and integrated into future programs. To enhance our proficiency in child protection, we regularly exchange experiences with colleagues—this is a crucial component of providing high-quality social services to people who particularly need them, especially those facing the consequences of war,” said Olena Khvatynets.
During the forum, participants discussed ways to strengthen social protection, support internally displaced persons (IDPs), and implement comprehensive support programs in the region. Representatives of government authorities, humanitarian organizations, and the human rights community agreed that the right to a dignified life must remain a priority even in the most challenging times. Achieving this mission requires the combined efforts of civil society organizations, communities, and government bodies.
The NGO “Responsible Citizens” will continue its work in the communities of the Kharkiv region to ensure that every child, family, or IDP has access to assistance, attention, and respect for their rights.
Background Information: In the Kharkiv region, the NGO “Responsible Citizens” operates in 13 communities. In 2024, 23,554 children and adults sought support at our Child-Friendly Spaces. Social workers, psychologists, and other specialized professionals regularly visit remote communities in the region. Last year, mobile teams in the Kharkiv region worked with 3,608 families raising 7,957 children.
Більше новин
-
“No longer disabled”: how flexible assistance changed a child’s lifeAt a critical moment, a family from Donetsk region made a difficult but necessary decision — to evacuate. This coincided with the opportunity to join the program “Local, inclusive and multi-sectoral emergency assistance for war-affected populations in Ukraine,” implemented by NGO Responsible Citizens in partnership with Mercy Corps and with funding from the UK Government.
-
Announcement: teacher training enrollment now openAttention teachers from Marganets and Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
-
-
Creativity saves: Daria meets her mentorTen-year-old Daria from Kharkiv Oblast adores drawing. For her, art is a way to express feelings and find balance. In one of our video, she shared her biggest dream—to meet her mentor, the artist Lana Ra.
-
A working meeting between the UNICEF team and the NGO “Responsible Citizens” took place in KramatorskDuring the visit, the Head of the UNICEF Ukraine Office, Munir Mammadzade, together with colleagues, visited a Child-Friendly Space implemented within the framework of a joint project with UNICEF, where they met with specialists of mobile teams.
-
Spanish Ambassador highly praises support for families in projects by NGO “Responsible Citizens” in partnership with UNICEFThe Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Spain to Ukraine, Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu, together with the Head of UNICEF’s Representation in Ukraine, Munir Mamedzade, visited Zaporizhzhia.
-
Evacuation, Care, New Beginnings: A Donetsk Family Builds a Future with NGO SupportIn the spring of 2025, they became participants in the program "Local, Inclusive, and Comprehensive Emergency Assistance to the Population Affected by the War in Ukraine," implemented by the NGO "Responsible Citizens" in partnership with Mercy Corps and with financial support from the UK Government.
-
Announcement for Residents of the Hrunska Community, Okhtyrka District, Sumy RegionPre-registration has begun for participation in the multi-purpose cash assistance program, implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in partnership with JERU (a joint initiative of international organizations Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide), funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA).