Rediscovering herself: Yana’s journey from Nikopol to a new beginning through education
Yana Vodyanchuk is a hairdresser from Nikopol who, like thousands of Ukrainians, lost her livelihood due to the war. After multiple relocations and the loss of her primary income, she found herself in a state of uncertainty. But giving up wasn’t an option. “It was tough, especially after moving. But sitting still and doing nothing isn’t for me,” says Yana.
When she was offered free vocational training in her new community, she saw it as a lifeline. She quickly mastered new haircutting techniques, found inspiration in her instructor, and started to regain confidence. Today, Yana is not just working — she is growing, helping others, and standing firmly on her own two feet.
The educational program that helped Yana was made possible by the NGO Responsible Citizens, which for over a year and a half has been implementing short but practical training courses across communities in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions — giving displaced people a fresh start and a new professional path.
📍 Dnipropetrovsk region, Nikopol
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“In all the years of war, this is the first time I’ve received assistance,” shared 63-year-old Natalia Mykolaivna from Kehychivka in the Kharkiv regionWhen the full-scale invasion began, Natalia and her family made the decision to stay home. Besides the difficulty of leaving their home, where they had lived their ...
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Dnipropetrovsk region: Systematic support for children and families in a frontline areaThe teams of the NGO Responsible Citizens work in areas where the social burden increases every day. This is where Child-Friendly Spaces and mobile psychosocial support teams operate most actively. In the first half of 2025, nearly 10,000 children and their families received professional support.
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Strengthening child protection: supporting families and preventing institutionalizationRegional coordinator Oksana Ivatina completed training under the "Advocacy for the Right of the Child to Family Environment and Better Care" program, organized by Save the Children.
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Strategic Session: Responsible Citizens NGO Strengthens Its Vision and CapacityIn response to rapid shifts in the humanitarian landscape, growing community needs, and ongoing transformation in civil society, the team of Responsible Citizens NGO held a strategic planning session. The goal was to shape a relevant vision for the coming years and enhance the organization's ability to respond effectively in a highly turbulent environment.
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Launching new project Lives 3.0Our team has launched a new project, LIVES 3.0, which will cover four regions in Eastern Ukraine. The project is implemented under the same-name program in partners...
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Adoption Day in Ukraine: Care, Love, and Safety for Every ChildIn Zaporizhzhia region, the team of the NGO “Responsible Citizens” is implementing a component of the “Better Care” project, supported by UNICEF, in partnership with the Regional Child Services and Regional Social Services Center. Together, we work to ensure every child has a loving family and a safe environment to grow up in.
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NGO “Responsible Citizens” at the Regional Forum “Every Day for Children”The Regional Forum “Every Day for Children” took place for the first time in Dnipro, bringing together over 250 participants — representatives of authorities, local governments, child protection services, international and civil society organizations, and law enforcement.
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We have completed another stage of the project to provide multi-purpose cash assistance to those affected by the warThe NGO "Responsible Citizens," in partnership with Mercy Corps and with funding from the UK government, has successfully completed another stage of the project aimed at supporting people affected by the war.