"NOT ALONE: Provision of Psychosocial, Informational, and Cultural-Educational Support for Adults and Children Affected by Russian Military Aggression".

NOT ALONE: Provision of Psychosocial, Informational, and Cultural-Educational Support for Adults and Children Affected by Russian Military Aggression

August 2022 – February 2023 – Implementation of the "NOT ALONE" Project

From August 5, 2022, to February 20, 2023, the Charitable Foundation "Public Resources and Initiatives" implemented the project "NOT ALONE: Provision of Psychosocial, Informational, and Cultural-Educational Support for Adults and Children Affected by Russian Military Aggression" (SG54727) with financial support from the International Renaissance Foundation. The project, with a budget of UAH 1,097,058 (funded by the IRF), was carried out under the leadership of Foundation member Nataliya Viktorivna Nechayeva-Yuriychuk.

Project Goal: To provide psychosocial, informational, and cultural-educational support to adults and children affected by Russian military aggression and temporarily residing in the Chernivtsi region.

Project Objectives:

• Identifying the real needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in psychosocial support, informational, and cultural-educational assistance.
• Conducting a series of informational-educational seminars, lectures, and training sessions aimed at achieving (restoring/improving) economic independence for IDPs, enhancing their financial literacy, awareness of their rights, mediation skills, digital security, and vocational guidance for youth.
• Organizing psychosocial support activities for IDPs, including individual and group consultations (external consultations in shelters, crisis counseling, open psychological support days, and the establishment of specialized support groups for women, men, and youth).
• Conducting cultural-educational integration activities (excursions, gastronomic-themed events, historical familiarization, etc.).
• Organizing activities for adults and adults with children (art studio, book opener, games, etc.).

The project facilitated the synergy of public organizations in assisting and supporting IDPs and residents of host communities affected by Russian military aggression. Its implementation established partnerships with NGO "ELEOS-Ukraine," particularly through active interaction with shelters, primarily Shelter St. Olga – Luzhany, which showed great interest in project activities.

Among the most significant achievements of the project was the mutual engagement of IDPs and residents of the Mamaivska, Khotynska, and Chernivtsi communities in joint cultural, artistic, educational, and informational events. Throughout the project, a positive trend was observed in the number of participants and their engagement, fostering mutual interest in each other’s experiences regardless of their place of origin. This collective activity contributed to mutual acquaintance, integration of IDPs into community life, and the strengthening of social bonds. A testament to this is the Christmas engagement of St. Olga Shelter residents in Luzhany and the creative gatherings of IDPs and Khotyn community residents.

Key Project Achievements:

1. Enhancement of Psychological Support Formats:
   • The combination of traditional and new formats of psychological support for IDPs was a critical achievement of the project.
   • Focus groups conducted within the project framework identified the pressing needs of IDPs, fostering self-awareness in their new environment.
   • Support groups were organized in response to real-time demands and participant requests.
   • A psychological marathon format, initiated by project psychologist O. Mykhaylenko, gathered IDP participants from different parts of the region.
   • The psychological marathon, operating as a continuous 21-day support group, became a platform for emotional harmonization and post-trauma recovery.
   • The hybrid online and offline format proved valuable in the context of air raid alerts and power outages, allowing participation regardless of individual circumstances.
2. Educational and Informational Support:
   • Participants received relevant educational-informational support on human and civil rights, emergency safety protocols, financial and digital literacy, mediation, and conflict communication.
   • Interactive educational sessions facilitated experience exchange not only between trainers and participants but also among participants themselves.
   • In each community, six information-educational sessions were conducted.
3. Cultural and Educational Integration Events:
   • High levels of interest from IDPs and host community residents confirmed the relevance of cultural-educational integration activities.
   • In the Chernivtsi community alone, 13 cultural-educational events were held—more than double the initially planned number.
   • Events for children and parents (IDPs) exceeded expectations: 29 events were held (24 planned for Chernivtsi, plus 2 in Mamaivska and 3 in Khotynska communities).

Impact and Future Directions:

• The project successfully provided psychological, cultural-integration, and informational-educational support to IDPs, particularly those living in shelters, such as St. Olga Shelter in Luzhany and Khotyn.
• It highlighted the importance of mutual integration between IDPs and host communities and addressed the challenges of social adaptation.
• The initiative dispelled certain stereotypes in the mutual perception of IDPs and local residents.

By the project's conclusion:

• Six focus groups were conducted to identify psychosocial, informational, and cultural-educational needs among IDPs.
• 18 cultural-educational events were planned, but 25 were implemented.
• 308 participants attended information-educational sessions (165 IDPs and 143 local residents).
• 527 people attended cultural-educational events (252 IDPs and 275 local residents).
• 517 individuals (380 IDPs and 137 local residents) participated in activities for children and parents.
• Art Studio "Stibok – We Stitch the Country Together" was established and will continue its work.
• Partnerships with NGOs and local government institutions were strengthened.

Conclusion: The "NOT ALONE" project played a crucial role in supporting IDPs and fostering their integration into host communities. By blending psychological, educational, cultural, and informational assistance, the project helped create an environment of tolerance and mutual understanding. It also reinforced the idea of a unified Ukrainian nation resisting aggression while adapting to the realities of war and post-war recovery.

Following the project's completion, the Charitable Foundation "Public Resources and Initiatives" will continue providing informational, cultural, and educational support to both IDPs and residents of host communities in Chernivtsi through its Open University for Adults. The Art Studio "Stibok – We Stitch the Country Together" will also maintain its activities, expanding collaborations and initiatives.