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Major Forum in Kharkiv: Civil Society and Authorities Unite to Support the Region
For the first time in Kharkiv, a major event brought together charitable foundations, civic and religious organizations, volunteers, and officials from various regions of Ukraine. Approximately 200 participants attended the forum “Country of Responsibility: The Power of Cross-Sector Cooperation,” organized by the Charitable Foundation “Peaceful heaven of Kharkiv” and the Ukrainian Educational Platform. The event included the participation of Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration (OVA), along with representatives from the Sumy and Kherson military administrations.
The forum addressed the needs of communities and regions, shared the results of already implemented projects, and collaboratively developed a strategy for future work. The goal is to coordinate efforts for more effective responses to the daily challenges the region faces due to Russian aggression.
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“We came together at this forum to improve coordination between the civil sector, community leaders, and military administrations. We need to hear about the challenges communities face, especially on the eve of winter, and how civic organizations can assist. The outcome of this forum should be a strategy that we will implement together with international partners and local organizations,” said Serhii Chubukov, co-founder of the Peaceful heaven of Kharkiv Foundation.
Maryana Kashchak, Director of the Ukrainian Educational Platform, spoke about their collaborative work in the Kharkiv region with the Peaceful heaven Foundation, which has become one of UEP’s support centers in the area. Cooperation began immediately following Russia’s full-scale invasion. “We began joint work in several areas—addressing basic needs, humanitarian aid, creating mobile teams, and centers for psychosocial support. Through the support center, we backed projects implemented by other organizations, creating a local network. It’s also important for us to strengthen and support the civil sector, so it truly becomes a third sector of the economy with its own voice,” Kashchak shared.
The Peaceful heaven Foundation carries out a large volume of work and has already helped tens and hundreds of thousands of people, noted Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv OVA. The forum also gathered representatives of donor organizations working in Ukraine.
The region faces daily challenges, including rapid humanitarian response, the heating season, work with evacuees, housing reconstruction, and support for businesses that remain operational in the region. All these areas require assistance from international partners.
“Our top priority is the reconstruction of damaged housing as we face daily shelling. Decentralization of energy supply, providing heating and electrical equipment, and creating accommodation for internally displaced persons are also essential. Additionally, we need to build shelters in educational and healthcare facilities, and we hope for support from international donors,” Ivanov emphasized.
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Representatives of churches also highlighted the role of civil organizations in assisting populations affected by the war, including Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk of the Roman Catholic Church, Vasyl Tuchapets, Exarch of Kharkiv, and Bishop Ihor Isichenko, Rector of the Patriarch Mstyslav College.
The forum also showcased local projects achieved through the collaboration of the PHK and UEP, such as psychological support for children, digital initiatives (hotlines and call centers), assistance to the wounded, and humanitarian demining.
Participants discussed practical cases in strategic working groups by topic. The outcome of this large-scale event will be a joint strategy for the coming year to respond effectively to challenges and needs. Overall, around 150 organizations were represented, including DCA, Caritas Foundation, IRC, UNOPS, and others.
