Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 16 April 2024 — In Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the official opening ceremony of the first “Place of Strength” Resilience Centre in the community took place. This was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ukraine, with generous funding from the European Union. The opening of similar centres is planned in Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast and Nizhyn in Chernihiv Oblast.
The newly established Centre in Kamianske aims to offer mental health support for youth, families facing challenging circumstances, women, and other vulnerable groups, while also enhancing their resilience skills. In the long term, it will contribute to the development of youth potential and increase the level of community security, particularly through initiatives targeting the prevention of gender-based violence.
Another significant aspect of the Centre’s work will be its educational focus. Thanks to effective collaboration between the community, local authorities, public organizations, and youth, comprehensive training programmes have already been developed specifically tailored to the needs of the Kamianske community. These programmes are practical in nature and will help address the challenges faced, including those arising from war. They include training on community and environmental security, building healthy relationships, preventing gender-based violence, educational and creative camps for adolescents, and seminars on mental health support.
While the construction of the physical space was ongoing, Centre specialists already conducted more than 80 events, with over 1,600 community residents participating.
Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, noted that the development of initiatives at local level is an important milestone in the support programmes implemented by the EU in Ukraine. “The EU is striving to develop the potential of communities in Ukraine and provide as many effective tools as possible to develop locally led democratic processes,” Mr. Schleuning said. “This Resilience Centre is one of the best examples of such tools in full action.”
Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, affirmed UNDP's steadfast commitment to local development and inclusive growth, with communities holding the highest authority in process management. “Our extensive experience collaborating with communities in Ukraine has consistently shown us their profound understanding of their own needs and strategic vision, even in challenging circumstances,” Cilliers noted. “That’s why our mission is to provide communities with opportunities and support to realize their vision.”
Massimo Diana, the Representative of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, emphasized the role of youth in building community resilience. “The new Centre cultivates the potential of Ukrainian youth, equipping them with the tools and support they need to spearhead initiatives and drive meaningful transformation within their communities,” Diana said. “With strong emphasis on collaborative efforts among local authorities, NGOs, and civic leaders, the ‘Place of Strength’ is specifically designed to develop bespoke solutions that cater to the needs of vulnerable groups. This approach positions young people as central figures in enhancing community resilience.”
Exceeding US$190,000, the project budget in Kamianske was allocated to renovation, purchasing furniture, and equipment procurement, among other expenses.
Background
The “Place of Strength” Resilience Centre in the city of Kamianske was an initiative of the NGO “Fishermen's Club of Ukraine – UA Fishing Club” and the Charitable Foundation “A Living Heart” with support from UNFPA and UNDP under the “EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine” project, with financial support from the European Union.
