Over 2,500 families with children in Zaporizhzhia have already received assistance through Child-Friendly Spaces during the first half of 2025

Since October 2023, Child-Friendly Spaces have been operating in Zaporizhzhia — safe environments for children and adolescents where they can socialize, attend speech therapy and art therapy sessions, and receive psychological support. The concept behind these spaces is simple yet essential: to help children recover from the effects of war and regain a sense of normal childhood, even if only for a few hours a day.

This project is implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the UNICEF Country Office and in cooperation with the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services.

“We strongly believe that close cooperation with communities and local authorities is key to effectively implementing impactful projects. The Child-Friendly Spaces in Zaporizhzhia are an example of how international support combined with local engagement can truly change children’s lives. This is the core of our sustainable approach to strengthening community resilience,” says Olga Kosse, Head of the Board of “Responsible Citizens”.

In Zaporizhzhia, more than 2,500 families have already used the services of the Spaces this year alone. Psychologists, speech therapists, art therapists, and mobile outreach teams work there — visiting families and developing tailored support plans.

Importantly, not only children receive support, but also adults — parents, guardians, and women in crisis. This is a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of the entire family. Specialists have already conducted 956 group psychosocial support sessions and 1,872 consultations by speech and special education therapists. A total of 502 people have sought individual psychological consultations. More than 4,825 children and adults have participated in group activities across various formats.

In times of war, only the synergy of civil society, local authorities, and international donors enables us to work systemically and with long-term impact.

Follow updates on activities in the Zaporizhzhia Spaces in our Telegram channel. If you need targeted support — the mobile outreach team is always available at: 066 56 70 016.