11 reasons for pride - 11 implemented projects over the past year

2020 for everyone, without exaggeration, was a test of moral fortitude and ability to adapt to new conditions. Caritas-Spes Ukraine and the team of the project Development of Local Self-Organization and Civic Engagement in Ukraine did their best to ensure implementing the project aimed at community self-reliance within the new reality. And at the beginning of 2021, the Mission can proudly present 11 successful projects that became possible after training, mentoring support and grant assistance from Caritas-Spes Ukraine.

An important part of the preparation of social action projects in 2020 was the Autumn Project School, with participants having gone from developing an idea, attracting funding to the successful implementation of their own initiatives.

63 participants from 16 regions of Ukraine applied for participation in the training. As a result, 45 participants were selected and 21 project teams were subsequently formed. 30 cities and villages received specialists in the field of project management who are able to solve the problems of their communities on their own.

20 social action projects were announced for pitching, and 17 applications were submitted afterwards from different regions of Ukraine.

The topics of the projects depended on the problems faced by each community. After mapping the needs, the Mission received 2 projects aimed at the development of volunteering, 3 - at working with children, 4 intergenerational projects, 4 educational projects. Other projects were focused on sports, inclusion, cultural heritage and COVID-19 prevention.

Time for Neighbor (Drohobych, Lviv region)

11 best projects were supported by the Caritas-Spes Ukraine grant program within the framework of the project Development of Local Self-Government and Civic Engagement in Ukraine. The successful implementation and quality reporting was a good assessment of the project.

So, we briefly present 11 social action projects that received funding in 2020.

"The Blessed Karl Akutis Room" (Khmelnytskyi)

1. "Relationships within a couple" (Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi region) training program for women was implemented by professional psychologist Viktoriia Tumanovska. The program was aimed at creating a safe and cozy space for women to allow them to rethink their own relationships, identify the causes of misunderstandings and develop new ways to solve difficult situations.
   
   
2. "IT support for parents" (Odesa). The Caritas-Spes Odesa team developed and implemented a project - a computer literacy training course for adults from low-income families, the unemployed, families in difficult life situations, for further self-development, assistance to children studying online and employment.
   
   
3. "Establishment of a volunteering network to provide quality volunteer support to low-income families" (Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dovbysh and Khoroshev). This team created a volunteering network of the Diaconate of Mercy of Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese to coordinate and implement volunteer initiatives aimed at helping low-income families. It should be noted that the project went beyond the planned scope, namely - it was planned to create 3 teams of volunteers (Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Dovbysh), and during the implementation a team of volunteers from Khorosheva village was created and joined. Also, volunteers ready to cooperate and create teams in Berdychiv and Novohrad-Volynskyi joined the initiative.
   
   
4. "Creation and development of Caritas-Spes Lutsk volunteer movement on the basis of Caritas-Spes Ukraine: Become part of a big family" (Lutsk). The team of Caritas-Spes Lutsk of the parish of St. Peter and Paul gathered active youth of Lutsk, founded a volunteer movement and conducted a series of educational, awareness-raising and social events in the city. The team continues to work after the completion of the project, launching social action projects in Volyn.
   
   
5. "Mini gym" (Odesa). A team of Odesa residents implemented the idea of creating a space for promoting active recreation and communication. Young people created a mini gym in the basement of the Cathedral in Odesa. The project covered the renovation of the premises and its transformation into a gym, where children and young people, in compliance with all quarantine regulations, spend their time safely and usefully.
   
   
6. "Free access to the temple" (Nemyriv, Vinnytsia region). Father Ruslan Karmalita and his team implemented a project of access to the church of the St. Joseph parish of Nemyriv for parishioners and tourists. Thanks to the created special design, now everyone has the opportunity to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament at any time, to see the church inside and take photos or videos.
   
   
7. "A ray of happiness for children with autism" (Mukachevo, Transcarpathian region). The team of the Transcarpathian Regional Charitable Foundation Caritas St. Martin (Caritas-Spes Zakarpattia) created a playground in the existing home for children with autism. One of the planned elements of the playground was a swing-nest, which helps children to develop a sense of balance, improves coordination of movements, sense of rhythm, promotes harmonious cooperation between the right and left hemispheres of the brain, resulting in the development of imagination, thinking and long-term memory. Training on the swing improves spatial orientation, coordination of eyes and hands, as well as muscles development due to physical exertion.
   
   
8. "The Blessed Karl Akutis Room" (Khmelnytskyi). A space for out-of-school development of children was created. The room is located at the parish of Christ the King of the Universe. Under the leadership of the project manager, Fr. Mykola Luchynskyi, the premises were renovated, stationery, drawing and modeling kits, as well as children's educational games and necessary furniture were purchased. A workshop was held to develop a program of working with children. On March 1, 2021 - the launch of the Bl. Karl Akutis Room took place and the beginning of classes was announced.
   
   
9. "Christian Educational Hub" (Kyiv). We have created an educational space for children and parents in Kyiv (within the framework of the John Paul II Catholic Gymnasium project) in order to provide an opportunity for children of Roman Catholic parishes and other interested children to develop their creative and intellectual abilities in a Christian environment, and for parents to improve their knowledge and skills in the field of child-rearing and marital relations.
   
   
10. "Time for Neighbor" (Drohobych, Lviv region). The project aims to increase the level of interaction between older and young people by encouraging young people to volunteer, drawing attention to the needs of older people and people in need. Within the framework of the project, a powerful integration event was held for older people and youth of St. Bartholomew's parish in Drohobych.
    
    
11. "Nunc Vitam - Fair of Professions" (Malekhiv village, Lviv region). The project is aimed at creating conditions for children and adolescents for comprehensive development and mastering of new knowledge, skills and abilities, familiarizing them with different areas of professional activity. During the implementation of the project Nunc Vitam - Fair of Professions 8 thematic trainings, workshops and seminars were held. The project involved and united both children and parents who actively participated in its implementation.

Caritas-Spes Ukraine and the Development of Local Self-Organization and Civic Engagement in Ukraine team are sincerely proud of the achievements of our 11 project teams. 2021 is the final year of the project, so follow the initiatives and have time to become part of great achievements.

The project Development of Local Self-Organization and Civic Engagement in Ukraine has been implemented with the funding of the German Government and the Renovabis Foundation.