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
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Art as a lifeline: How mobile teams empower children in remote Ukrainian communities10-year-old Daria lives with her mother, Hanna, in the village of Havrylivka, Kharkiv region. In this remote settlement of the Barvinkivska community, home to fewer than two thousand people, a mobile team from UNICEF and the NGO "Responsible Citizens" regularly visits. The team includes a social worker, a psychologist, and an art therapist.
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September 1 marks the launch of a new project by Responsible Citizens NGO in collaboration with the Government of the Faroe IslandsThe new initiative aims to address educational losses among students in eastern Ukraine who have been unable to fully engage with their curricula.
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Child-Centered career guidance: new approaches by “Responsible Citizens”The NGO "Responsible Citizens" participated in the annual scientific and educational event "Science Unites," held at the Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University on the initiative of the Municipal Institution "Center for Professional Development of Pedagogical Workers" of the Kryvyi Rih City Council.
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Eight out of ten people who have already received cash assistance are residents of frontline communities21% of participants in the cash assistance program are internally displaced persons who left occupied areas of the region.
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Strengthening Support for Family-Based CareOlena Bieloliptseva, Education Projects Coordinator at the NGO Responsible Citizens, took part in the inaugural meeting of the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Upbringing and Child Care.
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Responsible Citizens team joins ASPIRE training for trainersParticipation in the training marked an important stage of professional growth for the team and strengthened the organization’s expertise in sustainable organizational development.
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Responsible Citizens develop Operational Plan for the 2025–2027 StrategyNGO Responsible Citizens held a facilitated session to develop the operational plan for its new Strategy for 2025–2027.
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A Family from Dobropillia: When Help Arrives Just in TimeEven in wartime, the family continues to care for their children with warmth and dedication. “I want my children to be happy. Even during the war,” says foster mother Liudmyla.