For Mrs. Iryna from the village of Ivot, Shostky district, her own farm became a support in the conditions of war and instability in Sumy Oblast. When rural livelihood opportunities are limited and the security situation remains tense, its story is an example of how work and timely support help restore confidence in the future and strengthen family well-being.

This story was made possible thanks to the project "Assessment of agricultural markets and needs in the Shostky district and support in the livelihood of households from among IDPs and the war-affected local rural population from among vulnerable categories of the Shostky territorial community of the Sumy region", which since April 2025 is implemented by the NGO "Association of Democratic Development" together with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ukraine with the support of the Federal Government of Germany. 

Next, you can read Ms. Iryna's story about participation in the project and what changes it brought to her life.

I have been living here for over 20 years

I have lived here, in the village of Ivot, for more than 20 years, although I was born in the city of Shostka. When I met my current husband, I moved to live in Ivot with him.

In February – March 2022, when the war started, we stayed at home. They did not go anywhere. Wherever — goes, money is needed everywhere. No one needs you anywhere without money. Now, to rent at least an apartment, you also need funds. And where to get them?

There is no work in the village. I don't work — do farming. This year she sold a cow because she was a juniper for two years, and there are no bulls for her in the village. She kept the piglets before. Now there are 55 chickens left on the farm. We cultivate more than 50 acres of land.

I say: let's try

They learned about the opportunity to participate in the project in the village immediately. Many people were registered. I say: "Let's try it too". I myself do not know how to fill out those questionnaires on the phone, that's how I went to school. I took the phone with me, and the girls helped me make an application. God grant them health.

A lot of time has passed, in my opinion. I stopped hoping. They call here. The joy was — cannot be conveyed. She immediately said: if they give this money, we buy a cutter.

This was my first experience of participating in such a project. Everything went very well. We went to Shostka to sign agreements. There we were told about the conditions for what to buy, brochures with contacts were distributed. There were phones for which you could turn to both the Association for Democratic Development and the NRC for advice. I am very satisfied. I would like this to continue.

They bought everything that was needed a long time ago

With the funds received, we bought a gasoline mower, a battery chainsaw, a cutter, nets, a sprayer, and a shovel.

We have had a motoblock, a plow before — since the time when I worked on a collective farm. Spare parts for it were bought at our own expense. They tried to do everything themselves on the land, to cultivate it so as not to hire anyone.

The new mower was already mowing corn — very conveniently. Hoses have also come in handy and have already been used: our land is sandy, dries quickly, so you need to water it often. I've wanted a battery sprayer for a long time. It is much more convenient than manual. We will actively use the cutter for the walk-behind tractor already in the spring.

We have enough — and still share

I have three sisters living in Shostka. I always share with them: cabbage, carrots, potatoes. Someone five bags, someone three — who eats as much, takes as much. We have enough.

I usually plant potatoes, zucchini, carrots, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, pepper — little by little. The main thing is that it is its own, grown on its land.

I am very grateful to your organization for helping people. This is really a lot of support.

The Sumy region and the Shostkin community remain areas of increased danger. Proximity to the border, regular shelling and constant anxiety significantly affect the lives of local residents. In such conditions, the ability to stay at home, work on one's own land and provide oneself with products is becoming more and more difficult.

The story of Iryna — is an example of how targeted support within the project helps families not to give up, save their farms and build their lives even in difficult war conditions.

The project is implemented by the NGO "Association of Democratic Development" together with Норвезькою радою у справах біженців (NRC) в Україні with the support of the Federal Government of Germany.