The Rokada Charitable Foundation is strengthening community resilience in Kyiv region through a long-term project
The Rokada Charitable Foundation is implementing the project “Increasing the Socio-Economic and Psychological Resilience of Vulnerable Groups in Rural Communities of Kyiv Region” with the support of AWO International and funding from German Cooperation (Deutsche Zusammenarbeit) and Aktion Deutschland Hilft. The initiative includes the creation of 2 innovative open spaces – a Craft Hub in the town of Ivankiv and a professional growth hub in the village of Katiuzhanka in the Dymer community. The renovation works are planned to be completed by 2027.
Among the first activities were meetings with residents of the Ivankiv and Dymer communities on setting up the hubs. In addition, a baseline study of indicators for the project has already been carried out, in particular identifying the main social and economic problems, needs for assistance and the level of access to services, as well as analysing the labour market. Specialists use these data to shape training programmes, plan support for entrepreneurship, select equipment for the spaces and develop effective activities.
The team also carried out a labour market study in the Ivankiv and Dymer communities, which made it possible to identify existing opportunities for employment, retraining and self-employment. The results formed the basis for future training programmes and support for local entrepreneurs.
The Craft Hub will open in the Ivankiv House of Culture. In this modern and accessible centre, everyone will be able to receive professional psychological, social and legal assistance – in particular, people looking for work or opportunities to develop their own business and those who need support in overcoming the consequences of the war.
To increase the capacity of local entrepreneurs, the hub will be equipped with special equipment, tools and machinery. Local residents will be able to use all of this to make products, gain new professional skills and increase their incomes.
Another hub will appear at the Katiuzhanka Vocational College in the Dymer community. The space will become a centre for learning, counselling and psychological support, where people can get help at different stages of their career development.
The project also provides for strengthening the material and technical base and the staff capacity of the educational institution itself. Rokada specialists will purchase a charging station and specialised tools and organise trainings to improve teachers’ qualifications.
Opening sports grounds for people with different levels of mobility is another step towards creating an inclusive and safe environment in the Ivankiv and Dymer communities. In cooperation with the settlement councils, sites for the spaces have already been chosen, and training will be able to start in March this year.
People with limited mobility will be able to use social transport that the Rokada team will hand over to the communities within the project. New furniture and equipment are also planned for the local Resilience Centres.
Design of the hub in Ivankiv
The project’s main objectives:
- studying local residents’ needs in employment and self-employment and supporting vulnerable groups;
- promoting local entrepreneurship;
- creating integration spaces for learning and development;
- introducing programmes that will increase well-being and resilience in communities.
The future spaces will become platforms for dialogue and integration, contributing to greater social cohesion and cooperation between the community, the authorities and organisations.
