A newly equipped space inside a shelter, designed to support vulnerable groups.

On August 7, the Voice of Romni team in Zaporizhzhia launched the Protection and Inclusion Hive.

We were able to create this community space thanks to our partnership with the humanitarian organization OlamAid within the initiative Protection and Inclusion Hives. The initiative focuses on supporting vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, national minorities, women, children, and people affected by the war.

At the Protection and Inclusion Hive, those in need can access timely professional assistance as well as opportunities for learning and development. Free services include psychological support, participation in educational and cultural events, training sessions, and the chance to join a community of peers and allies to better cope with these difficult times.

We were honored to welcome distinguished guests to the opening ceremony, including Mykhailo Volkov, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Zaporizhzhia region; Pavlo Myalo, Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Interethnic Relations and Cultural Heritage Protection of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration; and Volodymyr Kukin, Deputy Director of the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services, among others. Their presence is a clear sign that the authorities recognize the crucial role of civil society organizations in supporting people affected by the war. Our experience, expertise, and understanding of community needs allow us to work as effectively as possible.

On the very first day of operation, we hosted a training session with Diana Chendei. She is a clinical psychologist and certified cognitive-behavioral therapy specialist who focuses on trauma, anxiety, and burnout. The session explored what resilience means, how stress affects us, and how to recover after crises while finding inner resources. Participants gained practical tools to regulate emotions and support themselves and their loved ones.

We also introduced our guests to other Voice of Romni spaces in Zaporizhzhia: the beauty coworking hub, where graduates of our professional retraining courses now work, and the children’s space, where we provide developmental activities for preschoolers and help older children strengthen their knowledge in school subjects and overcome educational gaps caused by the war. They also receive specialized assistance from our psychologists and speech therapists.

Remember: all our spaces are places of care for you. To receive support, contact our Zaporizhzhia team at +38 (098) 459 72 40.