The project was implemented under the “Unity for Community” (EU Unity4Community) grant competition run by ISAR Ednannia with financial support from the European Union in Ukraine.
It had an advocacy focus and aimed to make social services more accessible and closer to residents of Kyiv region communities. The project targeted 12 territorial communities in the Kyiv region where, at the time of the project launch, there were no social work specialists. The covered communities were: the Hrebinkivska, Malovilshanska, Voronkivska, Kovalivska, Zolochivska, Studenykivska, Tashchanska, Kotsiubynska, Feodosiivska, Hatnenska, Chabanivska, and Byshivska communities
The project was implemented in close cooperation with the Kyiv Regional Center of Social Services, a key stakeholder in organizing and developing social services for vulnerable populations in the region.
Our team focused on creating enabling conditions for introducing social services at the community level. To reach this aim, we:
- assessed the needs of 12 target communities and identified key trends and challenges
- developed a practical guide for community leaders “How to Make Your Community Stronger: Simple Steps to Introduce Social Services” (follow the link for the publication)
- organized two study visits for local decision-makers at the level of communities. During study tours, the participants explored best practices of social service providers in the Boyarka and Ukrainska territorial communities and discussed a wide range of practical aspects of organizing social service delivery in their own communities
- co-organized an online meeting titled “Modern Social Services for Families and Children Strengthen Communities,” with the Kyiv Regional State Administration. The meeting brought together heads of territorial communities, respective deputy heads of village, settlement, and city councils, as well as managers of municipal social service providers across Kyiv region
- conducted direct consultations with community leaders and specialists, delivered presentations at sessions of village and settlement councils, and provided consultations to community specialists
- trained newly appointed social workers through a 3-day training and provided follow-up supervision for them
Key results:
- reached over 20 communities of Kyiv region (instead of 12 planned)
- 7 communities introduced social worker positions
- 4 communities established Social Service Centers
- 2 communities initiated the process of establishing such centers
- 25 social workers completed training, successfully passed the assessments, and received certification
The project demonstrated that systemic local-level change is possible even in challenging conditions. It became a platform for training and supporting social work professionals.
Other researches
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Impact evaluation of the project “Improving HIV treatment adherence of HIV+ and at-risk women through holistic emergency support and care during the Ukraine humanitarian crisis”
Needs and background analysis of the home care and palliative care services in the territorial communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
