We continue to share the stories of communities that are building a system of social services as part of the project “Supporting Decentralization: Increasing the Competencies of Territorial Communities in the Sphere of Social Services”.

Today we will tell you about the project “Social Reintegration of Military Personnel, Veterans and Their Families” implemented in the Ternivska community, in the Cherkasy region.

Based on the results of the analysis of the state of the social sphere in the community, a Multi-Year Plan for Solving Social Problems (MPSSP) was developed and approved. One of the main goals set in the MPSSP is to provide conditions for individual self-realization of veterans and restore their professional skills. To achieve this goal, a Veteran Space was created in the community within the framework of the grant program to support the military and their families.

The Veteran Space is already actively providing important services. A team of specialists works here, including a practical psychologist who supports the military and their families.“At the same time as the renovations and equipment of the space, we trained specialists, and now we have the opportunity and are actively conducting psychological counseling activities for families of military personnel, veterans, fallen Heroes, and missing persons. Friendly meetings, trainings, and peer circles are held here — an important communication format that helps participants share experiences and support each other,” said the author of the project, Marina Pokazanieva.

Meetings in the Veterans Space have a significant impact on participants. They help veterans and their families cope with anxiety, loss, and develop a sense of community. Since the project was launched, 96 people have received psychological support, and their feedback indicates the high effectiveness of such assistance. “Such initiatives inspire, support, and help people “spread their wings” and feel like an important part of the community,” the author emphasizes.

The project results demonstrate that such initiatives have a significant positive impact, helping local governments to effectively respond to challenges and build a strong system of social and rehabilitation services at the community level.

The grant program is implemented within the framework of the project “Supporting Decentralization: Increasing the Competence of Territorial Communities in the Field of Social Services” with financial support from the Polish Development Cooperation Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, as well as the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance Programs in Europe and Eurasia of the U.S. Department of State within the framework of the 10th round of the “Development Cooperation Partnership Program”.