When strategy works: how communication becomes a driver of change

Today, it’s not only about covering basic needs. It’s about creating spaces of care — where resilience, trust, and hope can grow.

Despite the daily challenges of war, a dedicated team of professionals in Kharkiv region continues to deliver essential social services to children and families. This work is part of the UNICEF Ukraine project “Strengthening community capacity to provide essential protection and resilience services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions,” implemented by the NGO "Responsible Citizens."

Being close to people in critical moments — this is the goal of the project “Localized, Inclusive and Multisectoral Emergency Assistance to War-Affected Populations in Ukraine”, implemented in Donetsk Oblast by the NGO Responsible Citizens, in partnership with Mercy Corps, and with financial support from the UK Government.

Regional coordinator Oksana Ivatina completed training under the certified program Creating a Safe Environment for Children: Safety Policy in Organizations, organized by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network and the Center for Human Dignity at the Ukrainian Catholic University.

We tell the stories of families who go through a difficult journey from anxiety to recovery — and of the “Responsible Citizens” team, which, together with partners, helps ensure the realization of children’s rights where it is needed most.

The project was implemented with financial support from the Government of Germany through the KfW Development Bank and the UNICEF Office in Ukraine. In partnership with local authorities, social services, and the civic sector, a modern space was created that follows the principles of integrated social services recommended by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.

The NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in partnership with Mercy Corps Ukraine and with the support of the UK Government, provided cash assistance totaling more than UAH 109 million, helping to stabilize the situation of evacuees during the critical period following evacuation.

In the frontline communities of Donetsk region, the team of Responsible Citizens NGO is registering residents for multi-purpose cash assistance. This initiative is part of the project “Local, inclusive, and multisectoral emergency aid for war-affected people in Ukraine”, implemented in partnership with Mercy Corps and financially supported by the UK government.