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On April 30, the subnational FSL Cluster meeting in Zaporizhzhia gathered 24 participants from 18 humanitarian organizations. The event officially introduced the new cluster coordinator — Oleksandra Derevianko.
Participants discussed ongoing work in communities, especially near the frontlines. District One Foundation presented a rural recovery initiative focused on beekeeping and poultry farming. The Veteran Development Center shared support programs for veterans and their families, including retraining and education opportunities.
The meeting concluded with updates on ongoing and completed projects. Many thanks to all partners for their coordinated efforts to support affected populations!
CO “Relief Coordination Centre”, in cooperation with its partners, is implementing a project to support civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in evacuating civilians, sealing damaged buildings at missile strike sites, and conducting other emergency response activities aimed at assisting those affected by Russian aggression in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
As part of this project, CSOs receive mini-grants of €2,000 each to support their operations.
To date, 56 mini-grants have been issued, totaling €112,000.
The next phase of the project will focus on the development and recovery of communities in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions. In this phase, grassroots initiative groups operating at the local community level will have the opportunity to receive mini-grants of up to €5,000 to implement projects aimed at restoring infrastructure and revitalizing social life in affected settlements.
Zaporizhzhia’s State Emergency Service units received 20,000 liters of fuel to ensure uninterrupted operation of rescue vehicles in high-risk areas.
This vital resource directly supports life-saving missions and public safety. During the handover, partners discussed further collaboration — from material support to coordination during emergencies.
Supporting frontline responders remains a shared priority in strengthening community resilience.
Kyiv hosted the large-scale conference “EMPOWER: Synergy for Change – Strengthening Society through Partnership,” gathering over 150 participants from NGOs, local authorities, international partners, and donors.
Key speakers included Georg-Sebastian Holzer (GIZ Ukraine), Massimo La Rosa (European Commission), Jérôme Coizet (EMPOWER Project Lead), and Yurii Yuzich (Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy).
Victoria Kovalenko, Regional Director of the Coordination Humanitarian Center, shared frontline community experience and successful local responses during a panel discussion.
The event became a vital platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and boosting local initiatives. Thanks to @giz_ukraine_rs for organizing and fostering meaningful conversations about the future of the humanitarian sector.
On April 4, the Relief Coordination Centre hosted a “Coffee with a Donor” meeting featuring representatives from the Italian organization L’Albero Della Vita.
The event brought together local NGOs working in health, education, and WASH sectors. Participants exchanged practical cases, discussed key challenges, and explored future collaboration.
Held in an open and trusting atmosphere, the meeting fostered genuine dialogue. Many thanks to our partners for supporting stronger civil society cooperation in the Zaporizhzhia region.