Comprehensive assistance to people affected by the war in Kharkiv and Sumy regions: Rokada implements a new consortium project

The Rokada Charitable Foundation, with the support of the Italian humanitarian organisation Un Ponte Per ETS (UPP), is implementing a large-scale project “SPARK: Strengthening Protection, Assistance, Resilience and Knowledge in Sumy and Kharkiv”, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The initiative provides comprehensive support – social, legal, educational and infrastructural – to people affected by the war in frontline regions. The project is implemented in partnership with the Bukovinian Agency for Initiatives and Development (BAID) and will run until 17 February 2027.

The project’s goal is to provide cross-sectoral and individualised support to people affected by armed aggression. First and foremost, this means helping vulnerable groups, in particular internally displaced people and those who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). Another important area of work is child protection and creating safe conditions for learning.

The project is implemented in Sumy and Kharkiv regions – regions near the front line that suffer from Russian attacks every day. The constant threat of shelling, forced displacement and destruction of infrastructure significantly increase the vulnerability of civilians, especially women, children and IDPs. So comprehensive support is critically needed here.

The project consists of several important components. The Rokada team will provide integrated cross-sectoral case management for GBV survivors, people who have left their homes because of the war and other vulnerable groups, and will ensure referrals to social, medical, psychological and legal services. The same groups will be able to receive free legal advice and assistance.

Specialists will also focus on information and awareness-raising work. Sessions on countering and responding to gender-based violence will be held in communities. In addition, the team will promote safe spaces and available assistance services.

Another activity is building the capacity of local specialists. They will be able to join trainings on human rights in crisis conditions and emergency response procedures.

Constant Russian attacks certainly disrupt normal education and threaten children’s lives. That is why the project includes restoring and equipping school shelters in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Specialists will also implement a remedial (catch-up) learning programme in mathematics and Ukrainian to help make up for learning losses.

Valentyna Ihnatusha, Project Manager at Rokada, stresses:

“This project is extremely important because it responds to the real and complex needs of people who live and survive in wartime. We are talking not just about providing individual services, but about creating a holistic support system – from emergency assistance to restoring dignity, rights and a sense of safety.

For Sumy and Kharkiv regions, which face the consequences of hostilities every day, such an approach is critically necessary. It is especially important that the project combines protection, education and infrastructure solutions, investing not only in response but also in the future of communities. For us as a team, this is about real changes in people’s lives and support where it is needed most”.

The Rokada team continues to work on strengthening the system of protection and support for people affected by the war, contributing to the recovery of communities and greater safety and resilience in the most vulnerable regions of Ukraine.