SUCCESSFUL MODELS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF REHABILITATION CENTERS IN LATVIA AND UKRAINE

Year of research: 2025
Customer: Ukrainian Social Venture Fund

This international study was conducted within the project “Recovery and Development: Building Sustainable Rehabilitation Networks in Ukrainian Communities and Regions (4RNetworks in Ukraine)”. The initiative was implemented by the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund in partnership with SILab Ukraine, the NGO “Support for Sustainable Entrepreneurship,” and the Latvian organization New Door, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

The study aimed to analyze and compare successful rehabilitation center models in Ukraine and Latvia, focusing on the factors underpinning their sustainability as economic entities, including organizational approaches, governance models, diversification of funding sources, and partnership frameworks. Particular attention was given to centers that are responsive to their communities’ needs and the local context.

The study included 11 centers (5 in Ukraine, 6 in Latvia) representing municipal, NGO-based, and social enterprise models.

The study was based on a qualitative strategy for collecting sociological data and included:

  • in-depth interviews with center managers;
  • interviews with center staff;
  • focus groups and interviews with clients
  • monitoring visits using a standardized observation checklist to assess safety, physical accessibility, barrier-free design, and inclusivity of the premises

Key outcomes:

  • a comprehensive assessment of all centers’ operations, including governance, financing, service provision, and community engagement;
  • SWOT analysis of each institution, along with a comparative analysis of effective practices;
  • identification of factors contributing to long-term sustainability (diversification of funding, effective management, partnerships with local authorities, and adaptation of services to community needs);
  • development of practical recommendations for managers and founders of both newly established and existing centers on improving management efficiency, optimizing resources, and strengthening financial independence.

The uniqueness of the study lies in combining the analysis of Ukrainian rehabilitation centers operating in wartime conditions with the experience of Latvian institutions functioning within stable environments under EU standards. This comparative approach made it possible to identify sustainable development practices across different contexts and to formulate recommendations relevant for the recovery of Ukrainian communities and the attraction of international funding.

The key findings of the study are available here.

The results were presented and discussed during Kyiv Entrepreneurs MeetUp #4, contributing to the dissemination of developed approaches among representatives of social entrepreneurship, civil society, and the expert community.

Other researches