Social services as a pillar of the community

Social services as a pillar of the community

BACKGROUND

International Organization HealthRight International (Right to Health) in Ukraine and the charitable foundation established by it, the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health, have been working since 2005 to ensure access to vital medical and social services for vulnerable populations. These groups include women and girls affected by gender-based and domestic violence, people living with HIV, at-risk adolescents, internally displaced persons, youth in conflict with the law, individuals subjected to torture, sexual violence, or exploitation. Particular attention is given to creating a safe environment for receiving assistance, strengthening resilience, and protecting human rights

BACKGROUND

The full-scale war in Ukraine has caused the largest humanitarian crisis since independence: more than 3.6 million internally displaced persons, including more than 34,000 displaced persons from Luhansk region, currently living in Kyiv. The Kreminna community is one of those that has undergone repeated displacement after the occupation, with residents losing their homes, social ties, and familiar support networks. A study by The Lancet Regional Health — Europe (2023) shows that IDPs have the highest levels of stress, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, and social isolation and financial instability only exacerbate the psychological consequences. This is particularly acute on the left bank of Kyiv, where IDPs live in compact communities but lack adequate social service infrastructure.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project “Social Services as a Cornerstone of the Community” is part of the project “Strengthening Civil Society Engagement for Social Development in Ukraine,” implemented by EU4CSOs EmpowerUA - improving the quality, diversity, and sustainability of social services provided by civil society organizations in accordance with state standards

Specifically:

1. Providing high-quality social services to people in difficult life circumstances
2. Expanding the range of social services.
3. Promoting the development of the social services market at the community level.

Project goal: is to improve the accessibility and quality of social and psychosocial services for beneficiaries who are in difficult life circumstances (internally displaced persons, veterans and veterans' families, families of the deceased and prisoners of war, volunteers, children, and adolescents) in the city of Kyiv in accordance with Governmental Standards for Social Services.

1. Providing high-quality social services to people in difficult life circumstances

The project aims to strengthen two existing UFPH resilience centers in Kyiv (Solomyanskyi and Darnytskyi districts), where comprehensive social support, counseling, crisis intervention, and day care services will be provided in accordance with Governmental Standards for Social Services.

2. Expanding the range of social services.

The project integrates modern mental health support tools—body-oriented therapy, hypnotherapy, resource recovery groups—as part of the social rehabilitation of IDPs, veterans, and volunteers.

3. Promoting the development of the social services market at the community level.

The participation of partner NGOs and local authorities forms the basis for the long-term integration of non-governmental providers into Ukraine's social protection system

PROJECT SUMMARY

The project provides for individual counseling, psychosocial and legal support, group support activities, and systematic monitoring of service quality in accordance with state standards. The project's information activities will be supportive in nature and will aim to inform target groups about available social services and share success stories of service recipients.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the project or if you are interested in partnering, please contact: Executive Director Halyna Skipalska (Halyna.Skipalska@healthright.orgor Project Coordinator Olha Luchynska (e-mail: Olha.Luchynska@healthright.org)

DISCLAIMER

ICF “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health” and HealthRight International (Right to Health) in Ukraine are equal opportunity organizations and do not discriminate in their selection of candidates on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age.

Sexual exploitation and abuse are prohibited in all forms. The organization implements a policy to prevent sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, including in the workplace. Procedures are regulated in accordance with the policy of the WSSC and organizational rules and regulations of the organization.