Project: “Protection Services for the Most Vulnerable Children and Parents (or Their Caregivers) in Communities of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts”, implemented with the financial support of the United States Government and UNICEF in Ukraine

Since July 2023, the NGO Responsible Citizens, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has been implementing a project aimed at providing psychosocial, educational, and medical support to families with children in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

In 2024, the project was extended into 2025 under the new direction: “Strengthening community capacity in delivering essential protection and resilience services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.”

Key results of the project in 2024:

• 52 mobile psychosocial support teams provided services to families with children across 37 communities in eastern Ukraine throughout the year.

• 48 child-friendly spaces were opened in project-covered regions (due to the deteriorating security situation, the child-friendly spaces in Donetsk oblast temporarily ceased offline activities, but mobile teams continue to ensure service access for families).

• 49,202 children, parents, and caregivers received psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, including group and individual consultations.

• 6,852 children benefited from case management services aimed at addressing specific social and educational challenges.

• Over 62,400 people were reached with mine risk education (EORE) sessions on safety rules and emergency prevention.

• 54,821 people received information support within the gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programs.

• 1,963 local professionals — including social workers, educators, and psychologists — attended trainings focused on child protection and emotional well-being.

• 631 children in de-occupied areas of Donetsk oblast were able to resume formal or informal education through the project’s educational initiatives.

The organization not only coordinated the work of mobile teams and child-friendly spaces but also actively participated in training local specialists, developing educational programs, and monitoring their effectiveness. Thanks to a multidisciplinary approach, the project included the support of psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, and child protection specialists.

The project provided tangible services to children and their families while strengthening cooperation between local authorities, social protection agencies, educational institutions, and humanitarian organizations. This effort lays the groundwork for a sustainable infrastructure to protect and support the most vulnerable populations.

“This project was both a significant challenge and a great opportunity to contribute to the future of communities. We are proud of the results achieved together with UNICEF and believe that the foundations laid will foster the development of communities in vulnerable regions of eastern Ukraine even after the program ends,” said Olga Kosse, Head of the Board of NGO Responsible Citizens.

In 2025, the project was extended under the programme component “Protection Services for the Most Vulnerable Children and Parents (or Their Caregivers) in Communities of Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts” for the 2026–2027 period.

Families will be able to access:

• Psychosocial support, including individual counselling, group sessions, play-based and recreational activities;
• Case management, including family needs assessments and support in accessing relevant services such as healthcare, social services, and legal assistance;
• Support for children with disabilities, including inclusive child-friendly spaces, adapted materials, and, where needed, home-based assistance;
• Consultations and information sessions on the prevention of and response to gender-based violence, as well as other support services.

As part of the project, nine Child-Friendly Spaces will operate in key communities:

• Kryvyi Rih
• Kamianske
• Pyatykhatky
• Sofiivka
• Kramatorsk
• Zaporizhzhia

Twelve mobile teams will also provide outreach services in neighbouring towns and villages. Specialists will deliver activities in schools, community centres, and open public spaces. In emergency situations, including in the aftermath of shelling, the teams will be able to deploy rapidly to provide psychological first aid and support to affected families.

The programme also aims to strengthen community capacity. Local professionals will receive training, while service providers will be supported to improve coordination and collaborative work with families. This approach will help communities not only respond to crises but also ensure sustainable, long-term support.

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