Once, We Were Simply Young People Who Decided to Take Action
In 2014, in Donetsk, a team of young volunteers came together to help people who found themselves in difficult circumstances because of the war. That is how the story of the NGO Responsible Citizens began.
At the time, we did not yet know how far this initiative would take us. But we knew one thing: if you care, you can do something.
Perhaps that is why today we understand so well that young people are not a separate category for whom it is enough to organise a few events a year. Young people need more than safety, humanitarian or psychological support. They also need spaces to connect, opportunities to grow, participate and have a say in decisions that shape their future.
That is why, through our projects, we work to support the psychological and social well-being of young people, create opportunities for non-formal education and skills development, foster social inclusion, and encourage young people’s participation in the life of their communities.
Another important area of our work is advocating for young people’s interests at different levels. It is important to us that young people’s voices are heard, because decisions about Ukraine’s recovery and future must take into account the views of those who will shape that future.
“We want young people to see Ukraine as a place to live, grow and bring their own ideas to life. We want those who left because of the war to want to return, while those who stayed have opportunities to develop here. Because strong communities are, first and foremost, made up of people who see their future in them and are ready to help create it,” says Olha Kosse, Chair of the Board of the NGO Responsible Citizens.
And there is a special symbolism in our story. Once, we came together to help others. Today, that initiative has grown into a large organisation working to ensure that the next generation has not only the support it needs, but also opportunities to grow and bring its own ideas to life.
We wish you never to wait for instructions to change what matters to you. And to always find those who are ready to take action together.
Happy Youth Day!
Більше новин
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Responsible Citizens NGO’s Mobile Teams Provide Psychosocial Support to Residents of Sumy and Donetsk RegionsIn communities across the Sumy and Donetsk regions, the mobile teams of Responsible Citizens NGO conduct psychosocial support sessions for internally displaced persons and local residents. During these sessions, participants receive psychological support, practical tools for coping with stress, and information about the services available in their communities.
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Training on Child Needs Assessment and Team-Based Response Held in ZaporizhzhiaThe training was conducted within the framework of the UNICEF Ukraine project “Strengthening Community Capacity to Deliver Essential Protection and Resilience Services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia Regions,” implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the Government of the United States of America.
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Project to overcome educational gaps completed: what we achievedNGO Responsible Citizens, in partnership with the government of the Faroe Islands, has completed a project aimed at addressing educational gaps among primary and secondary school students in Dnipropetrovsk oblast.
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Responsible Citizens NGO has become a member of the Humanitarian NGOs Platform in UkraineThis is an important step toward strengthening coordination within the humanitarian community and expanding partnerships that help respond more effectively to the needs of people affected by the conflict.
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Launching a new educational initiative to support those who have lost their jobs due to the warTo assist those who have lost their jobs due to military actions, the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in partnership with Mercy Corps and with financial sup...
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How Residents of Frontline Communities Assess their Readiness for a Possible EscalationOur team conducted anonymous surveys on social media to better understand how prepared people from communities near the front line are for a potential escalation. More than 720 people took part. According to the survey results, 67% of respondents said they do not have the financial means to rent housing in case of evacuation.
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Emergency Cash Assistance for People Affected by Shelling in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia RegionsThe NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in partnership with Mercy Corps Ukraine, provides emergency cash assistance to residents of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts whose homes were damaged or destroyed as a result of shelling. The support is aimed at rapid response and covering the most urgent needs of affected families.
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How our mobile teams work in deoccupied territoriesOur Rapid Response Mobile Team began operating in the deoccupied territories of Donetsk Oblast at the end of 2023. Since then, our specialists have provided consult...