A Teen’s Innovation Making Sapper Work Safer with Recycled Plastic: The Story of Iryna Vynar

Published: July 31, 2025

Ukrainian teenagers are built differently. War makes them grow up quickly and take on responsibilities they were not supposed to handle. But tough realities create a strong nation and responsible young leaders who know the importance of being proactive citizens. Like the rest of the world, Ukrainians have to deal with ecological issues, but in addition, they face military pollution, which contributes to the degradation of the environment. Almost 20% of Ukraine’s territory is mined and might take a dozen years to clear, experts say.

Iryna Vynar, 17, from Boryslav, Lviv Oblast, has always been interested in ecology and biology. She was 14 when the full-scale invasion started, and her father joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She has changed a lot since then.

“Each of us has grown up,” Iryna said. “I realized that now I have to take responsibility. Right after the start of the full-scale invasion, I knew I wanted to contribute somehow to bring our victory closer.”

This nudged Iryna to create a plastic shield—a tool that would both help reuse plastic and make the mines safer.

She developed her idea during the uBoost’s “Create HERE!” program, supported by Razom. Iryna’s grandma saw an announcement and encouraged Iryna to apply.

uBoost is a free educational platform empowering teenagers aged 13–23 from frontline communities and small towns in Ukraine to develop soft skills, launch their own projects, and connect with industry mentors to support their professional and entrepreneurial journeys.

During the program, Iryna learned the basics of entrepreneurship and marketing. The most impactful part, she said, was working with a mentor, who helped her feel more confident about her idea.

“At first, I was a bit worried—maybe something wouldn’t work out, maybe I was doing something wrong. But the support played a huge role for me. It helped me a lot.

By the time I was pitching my project, I wasn’t scared anymore—everything felt great,” she said.

Iryna created the plastic shield for mines that would protect people clearing and operating landmines and give new life to plastic waste. The shield is made of three strong layers that absorb shocks, provide insulation, and guard against mechanical damage. Iryna’s invention can be used for controlled detonation, post-war demining, and safe transportation of mines.

Iryna believes that her idea can make a significant impact, not just for people, but for animals, plants, and the entire ecosystem. “It can really help not only us,” she said, “but the ecosystem that affects us all so deeply.”

Iryna is currently looking for companies that can manufacture the plastic shield to help her dad be safer and the environment cleaner. She plans to continue her journey in the field of environmental protection in the future. This year, she finished her first year at the Ukrainian National Forestry University.

uBoost is supporting teenagers who develop their ventures in various areas, whether it’s creating psychological cards, personalized decorative boxes, or a modest clothing brand. Iryna said it was “incredibly great to talk to people who are developing completely different kinds of projects.”

“Our country will need to be rebuilt, and that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of this generation. And when you see young people developing and trying to do something, it brings a lot of joy,” she said.

With your support, Ukrainian youth have the opportunity to implement impactful projects and gain empowerment through mission-driven organizations like uBoost, supported by Razom.

From Seeds to Sunflowers: Nurturing Ukrainian NGOs for Greater Capacity, Sustainability, and Resilience

Published: July 14, 2025

In the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the damage from targeted missile and drone strikes, frontline hostilities, and deliberate damages in the temporarily occupied territories is already shocking – and continues to rise every day. Kyiv School of Economics assessed the damage at $170 billion as of November 2024, while UNDP calculations offer a staggering $524 billion needed for recovery in Ukraine over the next decade. This scale of reconstruction and restoration of people’s livelihoods is far beyond the scope of what government authorities alone can address – underscoring the critical role of civil society in Ukraine’s resilience and recovery. Indeed, the German Marshall Fund suggests that “A resilient and dynamic civil society is a fundamental requirement for the sustenance of pluralistic liberal democracies.”

The robust civil society movement in Ukraine can be traced back to the civil activism of the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 (the latter having served as an impetus for creating Razom). Ukrainian NGOs, civic groups, and volunteer associations have been, consistent with research, the driving force behind democratic societal change. And, since 2022, these organizations have found themselves at the forefront of Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian scholars confirm that, “Ukraine’s massive civic engagement and collective action, most recently in defense against Russian aggression, offers a startling picture of grassroots activism.” Ukrainian NGOs have taken on everything from human and animal evacuations, to tactical medicine and food deliveries to the front lines, to community restoration and assistance to internally displaced people.

Unfortunately, 2025 delivered another blow to the Ukrainian NGOs’ ability to sustain their operations and contribute to the emergency relief and recovery development efforts. The abrupt shuttering of USAID led to the cancellation of over 80% of its programs, forcing many Ukrainian NGOs to close offices, furlough personnel, and suspend critical services like mobile clinics, rehabilitation programs, and civic education initiatives. Stripped of primary U.S. funding, these organizations scrambled to secure alternative donors, resulting in delayed projects, reduced capacity, and heightened vulnerability among displaced populations and frontline communities. This is where Razom has stepped in, leveraging its Razom Relief program to offer innovative solutions to bolster Ukrainian civil society organizations (CSOs).

Launched in 2022, Razom’s Relief Program has been initially focused on helping civilians in Ukraine who are directly affected by the invasion by providing food and shelter, clean water, winter supplies, and psychological and behavioral support for adults and children. It has been immensely effective in service delivery and creating immediate impact specifically because the program partners with more than 200 local grassroots organizations that know the needs of their communities better than anyone else. The program’s unique approach has allowed for an intimate understanding of the needs and gaps in the resource base experienced by local Ukrainian CSOs in small – and often frontline – communities. While local organizations do the majority of the work (delivering up to 80% of humanitarian aid on the ground), they get less than 1% international humanitarian funding directly, which means they lack the means to build a sustainable operation.

Having worked closely with numerous Ukrainian CSOs for the past three years, the team of Razom Relief has come to realize that providing training and capacity building is the difference between a sustained continuation of impact and the dissolution of many smaller organizations. This understanding led to the creation of the Razom Sylnishi (Stronger Together) Project, aimed at providing the resources and organizational knowledge necessary for the survival and success of the smaller CSOs. Among various capacity building efforts, Razom Sylnishi developed the NGO Growth Lab – a unique education and mentoring initiative that allows the CSOs to become more sustainable and equipped to resolve the issues on the local level.

In 2024 Razom Relief launched a pilot version of this initiative As a result, 15 organizations received grants, and eight organizations received mentorship support. A post-implementation survey revealed that 93% of the participants achieved their goals: 78.6% were able to start new projects and 64% were able to attract new donors. In addition, the number of organizations that had a working fundraising plan and strategy increased from 31% to 81% and the number of organizations that had a clear overall strategy increased from 75% to 94%. With the success of the initiative so high, Razom is continuing the program in 2025 with a new cohort of NGOs.

Based on the feedback from this initiative, Razom extended the mentoring program and added the offline educational component. One of the additions to the initiative was a short-term school for 28 leaders of CSOs that took place on 11-17 August, 2024, at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). The aim of the school was to develop leadership knowledge and skills among civil society actors to ensure more sustainable and long-term activities of organizations. The school provided several training blocks, including Strategic planning for Managers, Fundraising Tools for CSOs, and Communication Strategy. The mentoring program was extended for 6 months, pairing the smaller and newer CSOs with experienced nonprofit leaders who would help them integrate the learning of the UCU school. With the success of the initiative so high, Razom is continuing the program in 2025 with a new cohort of NGOs.

Today the NGO Growth Lab follows best practices of international grassroots NGO capacity building and offers a multifaceted approach that includes a week-long nonprofit management school at the Ukrainian Catholic University; assessment of organizational capacity and creation of the capacity development plan; a 6-month mentoring program with a mentor from experienced NGO leaders; as well as additional training and funding to address areas identified in the capacity assessment. At the end of the program, the organizational assessment is repeated again – to document the progress of organizations and outline the most effective next steps.

One of the NGO Growth Lab beneficiaries stands out the most for having shown a remarkable ability to take full advantage of the resources and knowledge offered by the initiative and having implemented the most notable and lasting changes. The Kyiv-based NGO “OOPS. Life in My City” which before the invasion worked to improve the management, safety, and oversight of residential buildings and areas in the capital.

However, once the invasion started, this small organisation dedicated most of its resources to providing humanitarian aid to most affected areas, such as the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions. As the need for humanitarian aid decreased, the organization needed a new strategy to revitalize its work. As a result of their NGO Growth Lab participation, the “OOPS. Life in My City” NGO was able to significantly streamline internal structures and processes, improve grant writing skills (and succeed in securing additional grant funds!), and created transparent and responsive communication processes. These capacity enhancements allowed “OOPS. Life in My City” to launch new projects that used their existing expertise, including playground safety inspections, installations of solar panels for multi-apartment buildings, setup of recycling programs, and construction of bomb shelters. The latter is an especially timely undertaking considering the ongoing brutal attacks on Kyiv and the lack of shelter spaces for residents of densely populated neighborhoods.

Some of the process improvements achieved by “OOPS. Life in My City” NGO during the Growth Lab include clarifications in procurement policy – including the establishment of transparency and accountability during procurement and developing relationships with Ukrainian manufacturers in order to support the internal market. Internal communications and HR processes improved as well, which allowed the organization to hire new staff and allocate time to the budding initiatives – helping 66 individuals claim payments for destroyed property and conducting 1,204 legal consultations for the IDPs residing in Kyiv and its environs. But probably the most impressive outcome of the Growth Lab was the NGO’s ability to launch a separate charitable fund to address issues and projects that fell outside the organization’s newly clarified mission -creating a focused and sustainable path forward for the NGO.

Implementing a successful program at this scale requires significant time and resources, with participation cost for each CSO standing at about $6,000. We hope that you will consider supporting the work of Razom in ensuring a bright future for Ukraine’s civil society and the country’s recovery from a brutal invasion.

Living and Dreaming Amid Constant Danger: How Razom Supports Kherson Oblast Communities

Published: June 6, 2025

Following the liberation of Kherson Oblast west of the Dnipro River in November 2022, the world has learned that the Russian grip is breakable. Local communities were saved from the cruel hands of the occupiers—but not from the relentless shelling launched by the Russian forces based on the temporarily occupied east bank. Due to the proximity of Russian positions just across the river, locals have as little as 40 seconds to hide, but often the missile arrives in the blink of an eye. Civilians are also not safe from drone attacks, the so-called “human safari,” recognized by the UN Commission as a crime against humanity. In addition to aerial attacks, people still have to deal with the aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam destruction caused by Russian forces in June 2023. While towns downstream were flooded—resulting in death toll and landscape devastation—those upstream faced serious water supply issues.

Mylove is located upstream of the drained Kakhovka reservoir. Submitted by Mylove Hromada.

Living with limited critical infrastructure is tough and demotivating, but despite all odds, Ukrainians do not give up. With support from Razom, Kherson region’s Hromadas keep the spirit of unity and continue to resist. While Russia aims to destroy Ukrainian cities, grassroots organizations in Dariivka and Bilozerka Hromadas create new opportunities for all community members, rebuild, and find ways to stay connected.

Volunteers who rebuild and strengthen unity

NGO Moya Khersonshchyna, in collaboration with local authorities, created Dobrobat, two volunteer groups formed in the Dariivka Hromada with a mission to mitigate the consequences of the invasion without external help. While retreating, the Russians took all the equipment with them — even the buckets, leaving the community without any means to take care of the Hromada. Over the course of six months, this initiative has helped 613 households across nine frontline towns and improved the quality of life for 2,021 residents and internally displaced people (IDPs). Razom provided a grant to equip the brigades with tractors, trailers, lawnmowers, and tools for providing rapid assistance to the community. They stabilize and repair homes after shelling, help households prepare for winter, fix roads, clean public spaces, and create places for community leisure.

Dobrobat volunteers building a public gazebo, restoring a damaged roof, and fixing water pumps. Submitted by NGO Moya Khersonshchyna.

“Thank you for your support, for not leaving me alone during a difficult time in Dariivka,” said Tetiana Chernetska, IDP, whose home was damaged as a result of an airstrike. “Thanks to the Dobrobat team for fixing our roof, boarding up the windows, and clearing the debris. It was a very hard time for us—my husband was in the hospital, and I couldn’t do anything on my own. I am truly grateful!”

Dobrobat brigades bring more than just tools—their arrival helps residents hold on to hope for the future and reminds them they are not left alone with their challenges. Moya Khersonshchyna plans to continue helping the residents as demand keeps rising. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam posed a threat of severe water shortage in the Dariivka Hromada. Two-thirds of the impacted households requested reparation of the water supply network. Moya Hersonshchyna is looking to scale the project to reconstruct 10 wells and install water towers to benefit the community in the long run.

Light in the darkest hour

Power outages are a common occurrence across the country, as Russia is trying to disconnect Ukrainians from each other and provoke fear. Communities close to the front line spend days, sometimes weeks, without electricity. The NGO Kosmos Tabir found an innovative way to overcome challenging circumstances and provide locals with a means to not only keep their phones charged at all times, but also access public services whenever needed.

With the support of Razom, Kosmos Tabir initiated the installation of solar hybrid power systems at 18 administrative and public buildings across Tiahynka, Bilozerka, and Dariivka Hromadas, benefiting more than 10,000 civilians. This solution allows local city councils, resilience centers, schools, post offices, and hospitals to operate up to 8 hours during outages. The results of the project were immediately visible in Dariivka. Thanks to alternative energy, the city council was able to resume its work, and residents and IDPs finally received their pensions, financial support, and salaries.

NGO Kosmos Tabir representatives delivering solar panels and inverters to Dariivka, Bilozeka, and Tyahynka Hromadas. Photo by Kosmos Tabir.

Kosmos Tabir is training electricians to install and upkeep the systems, enabling villages to manage them independently. Since volunteers’ cargo vans are often targets of Russian drones, in many instances, having locals take care of panels is a safer and smarter strategy. Kosmos Tabir is in regular contact with electricians to assist with any questions and is planning to hold a workshop for technicians, emergency service workers, and volunteers to teach solar system maintenance skills.

A get-together place for all

NGO Lymanetska Diia has created a Center for Civil Activities in Lymanets, Dariivka Hromada, which offers a variety of services for residents, IDPs, and youth. Some come here to use the computers and printers, others to get assistance with documents, and the rest—to participate in the workshops and spend time with friends. The center was created thanks to a grant provided by Razom.

Zinaida Ivanenko, 72, was forced to leave her home because of Russian aggression and moved to Lymanets. She arrived with nothing but bare essentials. Her daughter is far away and her son serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“It was hard to get in touch and communicate with them [my children]. I was left completely alone,” Ivanenko said. “I want to sincerely thank those who opened the community center. There, they taught me how to call my children via messengers—now I can at least see them on the screen. They also explained what kind of support IDPs can receive and helped me apply for it. They photocopied and scanned all the documents I needed. It’s also very nice that I now have a place to spend my free time and talk to others my age. I especially appreciated when medical professionals came and explained what services are available at our clinic. The staff at the center always treated me warmly and kindly.”

Center for Civil Activities hosts workshops and assists senior residents. Photo by NGO Lymanetska Diia.

Nataliia Olefir, a 69-year-old retired primary school teacher, Lymanets local, could not afford to install internet at home or purchase a computer. When the digital literacy center opened in the Lymanets Starostat, she became a regular visitor.

“The sessions are interesting and meaningful: training, expert talks, computer skills lessons, and free internet access. But, most importantly, it’s a place for connection—with people and like-minded individuals,” Olefir said.

The biggest hurdle for the project is air raids. Luckily, the center has the necessary equipment to continue sessions in the underground shelter.

Bringing warmth to those who need it most

Bilozerka Center for Regional Development ensures that the community’s vulnerable population stays warm and comfortable during the cold months, as many are unable to leave their homes for various reasons. Due to constant shelling, residents live without electricity, gas, or water for weeks. With the support of Razom, the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development provided winter kits to 150 people, who were unable to afford basic items themselves—individuals with disabilities and limited mobility, and elderly citizens living alone.

Residents received winter kits consisting of a set of linens, an electric blanket, a pillow, incontinence products, a lamp, and wet wipes. Photo by Bilozerka Center for Regional Development.

Stefaniia Bonchkovska is a person with limited mobility, originally from the village of Pravdyne, where she had lived for over seventy years. Her home was partially burned as a result of the invasion, so her family was forced to move into another house. Due to intensified shelling and destruction, they eventually relocated to Bilozerka, where friends offered them a place to stay, and she now lives there with her daughter and grandson.

“I want to thank the Bilozerka Center for Regional Development for calling us, asking about our needs, and providing both food and non-food assistance,” Bonchkovska said. “I am also deeply grateful to the charitable organization Razom for the winter kit, which has been a great support for me. The most valuable item for me is the electric blanket—it keeps me warm during this cold season. Thank you so much! May God protect you.”

Thanks to you, Razom Relief continues to support grassroots organizations in Kherson Oblast, helping war-affected towns regain the ability to function independently and nurture unity within their communities. Your support enables us to keep working toward restoring dignity and comfort to Ukrainians who have been deprived of it.

Nurturing our Network: Ukrainian NGOs and Razom

Published: February 16, 2025

Like so many organizations serving Ukraine before February 2022, Razom could not have predicted Ukraine would be operating under sustained military assault for so long, fighting for its survival and doing so under the most extraordinary circumstances. But if asked to make any prediction at that time, it would have been that one should never underestimate the determination and courage of Ukrainian civil society.

After all, it was by the power of its example that Razom was founded in 2014 after the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. That’s why strengthening and expanding our partnerships with grassroots organizations, who know the needs of their communities better than anyone, has been one of Razom’s key strategies in addressing humanitarian and recovery efforts since the full-scale invasion.

In three years, we’ve worked with over 200 local NGOs and granted $11.4M to support projects in humanitarian aid, renewal and renovation, provision of clean water and energy, household farming, children’s STEM education, reskilling and upskilling programs, and much more. But by 2023, Razom understood that for these hyperlocal and innovative solutions to challenges faced by war-affected communities to persist, Ukraine’s civil society organizations would need greater resources for their own sustainable development. That’s how the Razom Sylnishi project (“Stronger Together” in Ukrainian) was born.

This initiative aims to support the organizational capacity-building of Ukrainian NGOs. Less than 5% of financing goes directly to projects run by these types of organizations. The community of grantees we built through Razom Relief, revealed that 75% of our grantees named a lack of financing as their main problem, while 39% pointed to a lack of qualified personnel, and 30% the lack of long-term strategy. Through Razom Syl’nishi we are:

• Providing organizational grants and mentorship to raise the standards of professionalism, transparency, and cooperation between NGOs

• Organizing training and education in topics most important for organizational development

• Hosting an annual conference (since 2023) to inspire and connect a powerful coalition of civil society and community organizations

• Convening regular online meetings for grantees

All of this activity ensures that Ukrainian NGOs are on an accelerated path towards sustainable development, able to serve their communities now and in the long-term.

In 2024, Razom Sylnishi supported 16 organizations from our network with organizational grants. Thanks to these grants, they were able to strengthen their organizations, attract new donors, and launch new projects.

This year, as part of Razom Relief’s overall investments, another $1.8M has been earmarked to ensure that local NGOs have the support they need – both in getting effective projects funded and in strengthening their organizational development.

Indeed, a second wave of organizational grants and mentoring support will open to NGOs across Ukraine that work in the areas corresponding to our mission. These grants are targeted towards improving fundraising capacity. Applications are due March 8, 2025 with grant awards announced on April 8, 2025.

As Ukrainians continue to deal with the consequences of Russia’s unlawful, brutal invasion, and the U.S. shifts its policy toward foreign aid precipitated by USAID disruptions, we have a unique opportunity to address the need. Razom has been able to contribute to building a network of more robust CSOs over the course of its history only because of the generosity of our donors. Your gift to Razom today can have an immediate impact in ensuring this work continues.

Thank you!

Powering Ukraine Through a Complicated Winter

Published: December 17, 2024

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure has been a primary target. This past year has brought a deliberate intensification of attacks on energy facilities, with Russia launching daily strikes against power grids and substations across the country. By now, more than 50% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of Ukrainians without reliable electricity or heat during the coldest months.

Against this backdrop, Razom has stepped up with solutions tailored to meet urgent needs. Through the Razom Relief program, we delivered 30 charging stations and 13 high-capacity generators to civil society organizations and Razom grantees, ensuring they can continue their life-saving and community-building work.

Charging stations and generators provide the power to sustain education, healthcare, and shelter for displaced families. They enable public spaces and shelters to operate, even in areas heavily affected by Russian violence.

For example, the Korsakiv Center for Contemporary Ukrainian Art in Lutsk, which houses up to 100 internally displaced persons, uses the charging station we provided to power their educational center during the day, and their shelter at night.

Meanwhile, NGO “Platform Ednannia” in Zmiiv, Kharkiv region, now supports approximately 171 people with a fully functioning public space, thanks to the charging station it received.

As temperatures drop, the stakes become higher. The charging stations and generators Razom has delivered are used to not only power lights and phones but also to heat water, cook meals, and provide medical support. In Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovsk region, a temporary shelter equipped with Razom’s charging station now serves as a sanctuary for older adults and children, offering warmth and a chance to recharge both their devices and their spirits.

Despite these hardships, the Ukrainian people persist. Every charging station, every generator is a reminder that even in the face of relentless attacks, Ukrainians find ways to carry on with life.

Your continued support makes this possible. Together, we’ve invested nearly $75,000 into equipment that directly supports communities in need—assisting everyday people l and enabling hope to thrive, even during the darkest days of winter.

Thank you for standing with Ukraine and Razom. Your generosity ensures that light, warmth, and resilience do not flag in the face of adversity.

Sources:
Kyiv Independent
Politico
Razom for Ukraine Grantee Reports

Razom for Ukraine: A Season of Giving

Published: December 2, 2024

This holiday season, join us in supporting families in Ukraine who are healing from the impacts of war and working to build a brighter future. Ukrainians have shown remarkable strength, and with your help, they can continue contributing their talents and energy to a better tomorrow.

Your support is giving new life to families experiencing trauma and loss. The immense resilience and determination of Ukrainians inspire us, and we at Razom remain fully committed to supporting Ukraine’s victory.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Svitlana Rosadkina lived in Severodonetsk, a city in the Luhansk region in Eastern Ukraine, with her husband, young son, and parents. She and her family were forced to move into basements crowded with other people and animals, often going without gas, electricity, or water for days, making it impossible to wash or cook food. When her parents became ill with COVID-19, the city’s hospitals and ambulances were no longer functioning, and only four pharmacies in the entire city remained open—and sporadically, at that. Svitlana waited in the cold for hours to get her parents’ medicine, sometimes under heavy shelling.

“I shouted to people to lie down on the floor and cover their heads with their hands … you didn’t know if you’d make it home alive. Every time you went to the pharmacy or the store, you couldn’t tell your relatives what time you’d return.”

With the help of friends, Svitlana and her family evacuated to Dnipro, enduring nine hours of driving under constant fire. The bombed-out cities they passed remain etched forever in her memory.

After months of surviving extreme conditions and helping her son cope with unimaginable stress, Svitlana found herself emotionally depleted and numb. She participated in the “Recovery During the War” program organized by the NGO VAAD and supported by Razom. This intensive psychological rehabilitation program supports women and their children who have endured occupation, heavy shelling, or devastating personal losses due to the war.

Since May 2022, “Recovery During the War” has held 114 program sessions, helping 1,620 families—or 3,575 individuals, including 1,882 children. In 2024, Razom Relief provided $90,000 in grants, funding nine sessions of this life-changing initiative.

“I joined the program hoping to recover to the person I was before the war. I not only recovered but … my family was amazed by the changes in me. After the program, I felt life again.”

For millions of Ukrainians suffering from deprivation, trauma, and loss, programs like these offer hope and essential coping skills. Thousands remain on the “Recovery During the War” waitlist.

Your generous support can help us continue programs that save and transform lives like Svitlana’s. Together, we can help Ukrainians heal and rebuild.

Donate today and be part of Ukraine’s recovery and growth!

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference

Published: November 23, 2024

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference has once again brought together a powerful coalition of civil society, business, and community organizations in Kyiv, with a shared vision of building a more resilient Ukraine.

Over two days, more than 100 participants from across Ukraine came together to explore how to tackle urgent humanitarian needs, support local communities, and reinforce Ukraine’s civic sector through Razom’s work.

Razom Relief network of partners unites Ukrainian NGOs that work in Ukrainian communities on projects in the area of rebuilding, child protection, providing humanitarian aid and shelter, evacuations and other.

Here’s what stood out at this year’s event:

Collaborative Panels and Workshops: Sessions focused on partnership best practices among nonprofits, businesses, and local communities, with speakers sharing successful examples and new approaches for overcoming social challenges. We welcomed speakers from “hromadas” (communities) from Kherson Kharkiv, Lviv, Kamenets Podislky and other regions,
Key Program Presentations: Leaders of Razom’s programs — Advocacy, Heroes, Health, and Relief — highlighted their latest initiatives, including humanitarian aid, mental health services, and veteran support for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Training and sharing of experience – we provided training session in fundraising and shared Razom’s experience in managing logistics
Facilitated Networking Sessions: Participants engaged in discussions on the most pressing issues such as fundraising, working with government, running different types of projects and shared solutions for maximizing the impact of local organizations.

Most importantly, the conference provided space for networking and informal sharing of experience between our partner organizations.

Razom is committed to supporting cooperation and networking among our grantees.

The conference concluded with actionable plans for deepening inter-organizational collaboration and scaling efforts to support local communities across Ukraine. Participants left with fresh perspectives, new connections, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Ukraine.

Together, we make Ukraine stronger.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Empowering Civil Society: Highlights from Razom and UCU’s Summer School on Organizational Development

Published: November 5, 2024

In mid-August, Razom for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) launched a transformative Summer School on organizational development, drawing civil society leaders from across Ukraine to Lviv for a week-long program aimed at bolstering their organizations during these critical times. Held from August 11 to 17, 2024, this initiative brought together a diverse array of dedicated leaders from all corners of Ukraine, each focused on creating positive, lasting impacts within their communities amid the challenges of war.

The participants came from organizations committed to:

Delivering humanitarian aid to frontline and recently de-occupied areas
Coordinating evacuations for civilians in conflict zones near the front line
Supporting families with children, organizing extracurricular and recreational activities
Assisting families of fallen soldiers
Advancing educational development efforts
Preserving cultural heritage and celebrating regional cultures
Assisting frontline healthcare institutions under wartime conditions
Offering psychological support for frontline communities, families in crisis, and internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Promoting women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and supporting women during the war
Shaping youth policy at the local level
Developing entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans and IDPs

A Unique Selection Process for a Diverse Group

Razom selected participants through an open call, carefully choosing five grantees with a focus on diversity. The selection criteria included gender balance, a range of activities and experiences, and varying team sizes. This diversity fostered a dynamic environment where participants could learn from one another, establish new networks, and explore partnerships that will extend well beyond the Summer School.

Learning, Networking, and Strategic Development

During the week, participants attended sessions on organizational policies, strategies, partnership building, communications, and fundraising. Special guest speakers—including historians, political scientists, and contemporary thought leaders—were also invited to offer broader perspectives, enriching the learning experience and reinforcing participants’ motivations to serve their communities and contribute to Ukraine’s future.

Feedback from participants reflects the program’s lasting impact:

“I’ve already started applying what I learned and sharing it with my team.”
“This training changed my approach—I now work more strategically and with greater clarity.”
“Since the Summer School, we’ve launched three new projects and drafted an operational plan.”
“It was inspiring to be among such experienced and passionate community leaders.”
“The atmosphere was welcoming, and we’ve stayed connected, sharing insights and ideas.”

One participant’s message captured the essence of the program’s transformative effect:

“I want to thank Razom for Ukraine for organizing this program. Since the Summer School, our team has undergone transformations in communications, fundraising, and strategy. You achieved your goal!”

Looking Forward: New Opportunities for Summer School Graduates

Since August, Razom has been working to create follow-up opportunities for Summer School graduates. Plans include mentorship programs and grants for institutional support, providing these leaders with additional resources to strengthen their organizations. By nurturing the growth of Ukraine’s civil society, Razom and UCU are helping build a future where local organizations are equipped to meet the needs of their communities, paving the way for a resilient Ukraine.

With these new programs in place, the legacy of the Summer School will continue to inspire and empower civil society leaders to forge ahead with confidence, resilience, and unity.

Together, we are building a brighter future for Ukrainians through education and support.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Building Ukraine Together: Empowering Communities and Creating Safe Spaces

Published: October 22, 2024

As the war in Ukraine continues, grassroots initiatives are proving to be indispensable for community resilience and support. One such initiative is the NGO “Building Ukraine Together” (BUR), a longtime Razom partner, which is dedicated to empowering local communities through volunteer camps. Before launching these camps, BUR organizes a training school for teams who will lead local activities in collaboration with the organization. Recently, teams from three communities—Lypova Dolyna, Ladany, and Velyka Severynivka—gathered for several days of intensive lectures and workshops designed to prepare them for their roles.

Supported by Razom, BUR’s volunteer camps play a crucial role in restoring communities and empowering local volunteers. The training sessions emphasize essential skills such as volunteer management, effective communication, community engagement, team coordination, and resource identification.

A Community’s Vision: Yulia’s Story

Among the participants was Yulia, a representative from the Ladany community in the Chernihiv region. She successfully organized a team and applied to host a BUR camp with the aim of establishing a youth center in their community, which has become a haven for many displaced people fleeing Russian aggression.

Yulia expressed her motivation:

“I wanted to show our youth and our community that, with collective effort, we can achieve things we never dreamed of before.”

As the BUR camp unfolded, local residents actively engaged in the process, transforming their environment while also fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their community.

For Yulia’s team, this volunteer camp marked their first experience in organizing such an event. While they had previously participated in other projects, this challenge brought new learning opportunities.

Yulia reflected, “Everything was new to us—how to set up the camps, what their purpose is, and what the daily schedule looks like. The school helped us understand all of this. We also learned some team building games, like ‘Ladder,’ which helps teach us how to listen and ask the right questions. I work in the local government, so I’ve already started using these techniques at work.”

So far, two BUR camp sessions have successfully taken place in the Ladany community. The training school has significantly strengthened the team, streamlined the organizational process, and, most importantly, taught them how to engage people of all ages in community life.

Overcoming Fear: Bohdana’s Journey in Sumy

Another inspiring story comes from the recent BUR volunteer camp held in Lypova Dolyna, Sumy region, located just about 50 miles from the Russian border and is currently under regular attack. Here, volunteers worked together to create a bomb shelter, demonstrating their commitment to safety and community support. One volunteer, Bohdana, traveled over 500 miles from Zakarpattia to be part of this effort.

Bohdana shared her initial apprehensions:

“I was really stressed—it was a new city and my first camp—but I decided to join because I wanted to finally experience the BUR community vibe. The BUR team took the security aspects very seriously—checking air raid alerts, organizing shelter drills—and it almost felt like I wasn’t in Sumy, but somewhere much farther from the front line. I was scared I wouldn’t be helpful in construction. You know, when you first go to a camp, you feel like you don’t know anything about building and maybe you should just stay home. But with BUR, learning is fun and easy. Before you know it, you’re plastering walls like you’ve done it a hundred times.”

The first session of the BUR camp in Lypova Dolyna has already concluded, resulting in the creation of a shelter that will serve both as a refuge during air raids and a safe event space for the community. Bohdana not only contributed to a significant project but also formed lasting connections with fellow volunteers, making this experience a cherished memory.

This volunteer camp in Lypova Dolyna was made possible with the support of Razom for Ukraine.

Through initiatives like BUR, communities in Ukraine are finding strength and hope in each other, creating safe spaces and fostering resilience amid adversity. By empowering local leaders and volunteers, organizations like Razom and BUR are helping to build a brighter future for Ukraine. Thank you for your support!

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Razom Relief: From Summer to School

Published: September 18, 2024

As the school year begins and autumn approaches, we reflect on the impact of Razom Relief’s initiatives that have provided needed support, healthcare, and educational opportunities to children and communities across Ukraine. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, many have had the chance to rest, rejuvenate, and engage in activities that foster growth and resilience. We’re excited to share inspiring stories from those who have benefited from Razom’s grants and how these initiatives have helped prepare them for the new season and school year.

Center for Psychological and Humanitarian Support in the Chernivtsi Region

The Center for Psychological and Humanitarian Support (CPHS) for internally displaced people in Vyzhnytsia, Chernivtsi region, has been running several successful projects, including a social enterprise:a bakery. Razom is proud to partner with CPHS on a second joint project that has once again exceeded all expectations.

With a grant from Razom, the center sponsored a summer camp where children immersed themselves in adventures and learning, acquiring essential skills like orienteering, fire-starting, pitching tents, and cooking over open flames. The camp taught them teamwork, mutual support, and responsibility. The unforgettable experiences—new friendships, night hikes with flashlights, and laughter around campfires—served as a test of resilience and a perfect preparation for the new school year.

Creating Opportunities in Poltava

The NGO Sustainable Development Platform Perspective in the Poltava region, with Razom’s support, established a community center that has become a hub for children and youth. This space aims to empower young people by providing new knowledge, building connections, and fostering youth activism. Guided by mentors, the youth developed operational regulations and a strategic plan for the center’s growth in 2024-2025.

In just two months, the project reached over 2,500 people and hosted more than 60 events, including training sessions, workshops, physical activities, and community-building excursions, offering much-needed emotional relief and skill development.

Ukraine South Liberty: A Lifeline in Chornomorsk

In the southern regions, the Ukraine South Liberty organization in Chornomorsk, Odesa region, worked tirelessly to support children’s health and well-being. With a grant from Razom, they launched two critical projects: an IDP (Internally Displaced People) center and a children’s center. The IDP center offers services like career counseling, psychological support, IT training, and cultural events, while the children’s center focuses on holistic development through activities promoting inclusivity, gender equality, and psychological well-being.

Building Ukraine Together Youth Camp in the North

Supported by a Razom grant, Building Ukraine Together (BUR) gathered young participants from across Ukraine to aid in infrastructure restoration, create spaces for learning and connection, and support internally displaced persons. At the BUR camp in Ladanska, Chernihiv region, young people worked to build a youth center, helping the community recover from occupation and fostering a sense of hope and renewal.

As we embrace the fall season, these stories of readiness for the new school year and the positive impact of Razom’s grants remind us of the power of community and the difference we can make together. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors—your continued support sustains these efforts, bringing hope and renewal to countless lives.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief!