Eight Local CSOs from Four Regions of Ukraine Completed Organizational Development Training

May 20, 2026

As part of the “Way to Protection and Durable Solutions” project, the Association for Communities Participatory Development conducted a seven-day organizational capacity strengthening program for eight local civil society organizations (CSOs) from Dnipropetrovska, Kyivska, Kharkivska, and Chernihivska oblasts.

The participating organizations are already actively engaged in their communities, supporting residents, implementing social initiatives, and contributing to recovery and development efforts. Previously, they took part in initiative groups, strategic sessions, and community needs assessments within the project.

The program aimed to strengthen organizational capacity and develop the skills necessary for the sustainable operation of civil society organizations. Over seven days, participants worked on strategic development, project management, fundraising, partnership building, team collaboration, and communications.

Particular attention was given to the practical application of new knowledge. Together with trainers and experts, the teams reflected on their own experiences, identified development priorities, and developed plans to further strengthen their organizations.

🔸 Andriivska Charitable Organization “DOVIRA” — an organization from Pokrovska hromada that supports local residents and promotes community-based initiatives.

🔸 Charitable Foundation “Hippotherapy Center ‘Reins of Life’” — an organization from Bilohorodska hromada that helps children with special needs undergo rehabilitation through hippotherapy.

🔸 NGO “Agency for Sustainable Development of Ternivka City, Dnipropetrovska Oblast” — an organization from Ternivska hromada that works to strengthen community resilience, recovery, and development in the context of war.

🔸 NGO “INATON” — a women-led organization from Ivanivska hromada, established by local activists to support community recovery, foster women's networks, and promote local initiatives.

🔸 NGO “Svitochi” — an organization from Novopokrovska hromada that has been implementing social, safety, and community cohesion initiatives for many years.

🔸 NGO “OBERIH” — an organization from Solonianska hromada that promotes social cohesion, psychosocial support, civic dialogue, and participatory approaches within the community.

🔸 NGO “Center for Culture, Youth and Sports Development” — a youth-focused organization from Rohanska hromada that empowers young people and encourages residents to actively participate in community life.

🔸 Tetiiv District Children's NGO “Sunflower” — an organization from Tetiivska hromada that helps children and young people from vulnerable groups develop essential life skills, supports their personal growth, and encourages their active participation in community life.

The training served not only as a space for learning but also as a platform for exchanging experiences among organizations from different regions of Ukraine. Participants had the opportunity to learn how other teams work, discuss common challenges, and discover new ideas for the development of their own initiatives.

For many participants, the program became not only an opportunity to gain new knowledge but also a catalyst for rethinking the future development of their organizations.

One of them is Tetiana Kutsa, Head of the children's NGO “Sunflower” from Tetiiv, which has been working with children with special educational needs for more than 20 years.

Before the full-scale invasion, the organization actively implemented educational, creative, and international projects. However, the war changed its usual way of operating: part of the team left the community, many partnerships were disrupted, and the future of the organization became uncertain.

According to Tetiana, participation in the program helped the team reassess its development path, shape a vision for the future, and define concrete steps for moving forward.

Today, the team is already planning new activities to re-engage its members and attract new people to the organization. The knowledge and tools gained during the training have become a foundation for its further development.

Strong local CSOs play a vital role in community life. They are often the first to respond to residents’ needs, support social cohesion, and help communities remain resilient even in difficult circumstances. Supporting and strengthening local CSOs is therefore an important part of community recovery and sustainable development.

ℹ️ The “Way to Protection and Durable Solutions” project is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM Ukraine) with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The Association for Communities Participatory Development serves as an implementing partner of IOM.