The project "PROMESSA: Protection of children, response to emergency situations and health care for the most vulnerable families affected by the conflict in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions" was launched. It is implemented by the NGO "Association of Democratic Development" together with the Branch of the Foundation "Ter des Om Italy ETS" in Ukraine (TDH Italy) in the Novovodolaz and Zlatopil communities in the Kharkiv region and the Tomakiv community of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
As the head of the project, Iryna Kulyk, said, spaces for children and teenagers have already been created and are working in Novaya Vodolaz and Zlatopol, in Tomakivka - the arrangement of the space has only just begun, but this does not prevent events for children and their parents. "It's not just about spaces as a room, but about creating safe, accessible and comfortable environments for children and teenagers, where they can get psychosocial support, emotionally and psychologically relieve themselves, establish communication with peers and just have a good time", she said.
Unfortunately, children are most vulnerable during the war as a result of shelling, blackouts, distance learning, forced displacement, breaking of usual social contacts, losses of relatives and loved ones.
That is why all activities for children held in spaces are aimed at strengthening their resilience, forming skills to overcome difficulties, reducing the level of stress and anxiety, and living losses.
Adolescents aged 10–17, in addition to individual and group psychosocial support activities, can attend youth leadership-oriented events based on the Teen Circles model. Separate areas of activity are structured psychosocial support for children and case management, which provide support for children experiencing particularly vulnerable conditions.
In addition, classes for parents and guardians take place in each of the spaces. They allow for improved psychosocial, emotional well-being of adults raising children through a structured support program that combines peer-to-peer approaches, professional support, and positive parenting.
Iryna Kulyk emphasized that the project combines many important components. For specialized assistance, in some cases, a referral mechanism to other institutions and organizations is provided.
The project "PROMESSA: Child protection, emergency response and health care for the most vulnerable families affected by the conflict in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions" is implemented by the NGO "Association for Democratic Development" in partnership with the Branch of the Ter des Om Italy ETS Foundation in Ukraine (TDH Italy) with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - AICS Kiev
Terre des Hommes Italia in UcrainaФото - дитячий простір "Крила" в Златополі
