RCC news

The Head of the CO “Relief Coordination Centre,” Yevhen Koliada, representing the Ukrainian humanitarian community, participated in the joint presentation of the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) and the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for Ukraine.
The event took place in Kyiv at the initiative of the
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The joint HNRP-RRP presentation emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid, highlighting its effectiveness and the unmet needs. The focus was placed on tangible results, success stories, and gaps that require support for those affected by the war in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in 2025.


Yehen Koliada drew the audience's attention to the importance of supporting humanitarian organizations at all levels - from the smallest local groups to national entities. Strengthening their capacity is a top priority, as strong CSOs ensure prompt humanitarian response and swift resolution of requests from populations affected by the consequences of the war.


In addition, the head of the Relief Coordination Centre stressed that humanitarian organizations now particularly need the support of the international community.


"However, we, in turn, can express our gratitude to partners not just in words but through our innovative solutions, expertise, and achievements. I believe that Ukrainian humanitarian organizations can take a rightful place among their global counterparts. We must now actively push the localization process forward so that united NGOs can strengthen the country to the fullest extent," said Yevhen Koliada.


18.01.2025

On January 14, a meeting took place at the Public Development Center between a UN delegation, headed by UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, and representatives of charitable nongovernmental organizations from the Kharkiv region.
The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the delegation with the humanitarian situation in the region and develop ways for effective interaction with civil society organizations in the area.
Among those involved in the discussion of key issues were representatives from the CO Relief Coordination Centre, the CF The Right to Protection, the CO CF Mission Kharkiv, the NGO Proliska, the Center For Humanitarian Aid Volunteer 68, the NGO Spilna Sprava, the CF Rokada, and the CO Caritas Ukraine.
The event was also attended by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Ukraine, Andrea de Domenico, and the Head of the UN OCHA in the Kharkiv region, Maka Khazalia.
During the meeting, a number of issues were raised, including challenges faced by humanitarian sector representatives in the region on a daily basis. These included problems with the accommodation of people with limited mobility in temporary shelters, creating better conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and access to education and development for children evacuated from frontline areas. Issues of mobilizing humanitarian workers and finding effective tools for the development of local organizations were also discussed.
The importance of institutional support for local NGOs, which play a key role in providing assistance to those affected by the war, was emphasized.
A special point of discussion was the optimization of the evacuation process for civilians, including vulnerable categories, and the ongoing support for evacuees.


We sincerely thank the UN for its interest in cooperating to support the people and overcome the consequences of Russian aggression!
14.01.2025

In early December, the grand opening of Community and Public Development Centres took place.
On December 10, the Center was opened in the Prolinenska community of the Chuhuiv district, on December 11 in the Savynska community of the Izium district in the Kharkiv region, and on December 13 in the Novomykolaivska community of the Zaporizhzhia region.
These centers will become key hubs for implementing positive changes in the community, contribute to addressing pressing issues, unite residents around important initiatives, and serve as a platform for learning and development for residents of all ages.
The newly established Centers share a common goal: to become points of support for the development of local initiatives, training of activists, and implementation of projects aimed at strengthening the community.
The opening and operation of both Centers became possible thanks to fruitful cooperation with partners.One of them is Acted, an international organization that supports the development of local communities in the Kharkiv region. Thanks to their strategic assistance, the Centers were created and equipped.
Now they will become hubs of change. The Acted team accompanied the project at all stages,
providing professional support. At the opening, the head of the 'Partnership and Local Planning' project, Yeheniia Krivchun, presented a strategic vision for further support of local initiatives aimed at
community development. Relief Coordination Centre is a charitable organization that actively participated in the creation of both spaces.
The SSA monitoring team collected information on the needs of the communities and advocated for the creation of such centers specifically in the Savyntsi and Proline communities. The Public Development Centres from Kharkiv contributed to the development of event programs, conducting strategic sessions, and training CPDCs staff. It will provide long-term support to both communities.


The Community and Public Development Centres in Savyntsi and Proline will become the foundation for strengthening communities, increasing social cohesion, and active participation of residents in addressing important issues.
17.12.2024

The RCC has officially become a Mine Action Operator.
We are pleased to announce that our organization has successfully completed all accreditation stages and is now beginning its operations in the field of humanitarian demining in the Kharkiv region. Achieving the status of Mine Action Operator marks a significant milestone for both the region and the country, as we become part of a system dedicated to building a safer future. Our activities encompass several key areas. We conduct non-technical surveys, identifying and mapping contaminated areas using modern methodologies, while also collaborating with local communities to gather accurate data. At the same time, we are actively informing the public about the risks associated with mines and unexploded ordnance, providing training to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Furthermore, we are preparing to clear areas affected by combat and to undertake demining operations, ensuring the swift return to peaceful life.


This status is not only a triumph for our organization, but also a vital step for the region and the country as a whole. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. This is just the beginning of an extensive effort that we are committed to carrying out for the safety and development of Ukraine.
15.12.2024

BRIDGE Forum: Building Resilience, Institutional Development & Growth Empowerment
The BRIDGE Forum has become a pivotal platform for discussing challenges and seeking solutions in humanitarian response, community development, and strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs). Its aim is to create a unified information space, uniting efforts and resources to enhance the ability of local communities to overcome contemporary challenges and develop in crisis conditions.


The Forum focused on assessing the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and exploring ways to address crisis challenges at the regional level.
Experts discussed pressing issues facing communities and mechanisms for overcoming them:


Representatives of the UN, Swiss and Dutch embassies, as well as regional administrations of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions, examined the challenges faced by communities and approaches to addressing them. Speakers expressed their vision for the future of humanitarian processes and emphasized the need for deeper coordination among all stakeholders.


A new platform, BRIDGE, was also presented. BRIDGE is a comprehensive ecosystem that unites information and analytical tools, organizational profiles, grant opportunities, and a secure communication platform, aimed at supporting coordination, planning, and cooperation between CSOs and international partners.


This day became a platform for open dialogue, exchange of experiences, and building new partnerships.


The second day was dedicated to tools and strategies for strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations.


Participants discussed:
 • Financial sustainability: How to find new sources of funding and maintain financial independence.
 • Partnerships: How to effectively communicate with donors and international organizations, finding new opportunities for cooperation.
 • Identity and mission: Forming a clear positioning of CSOs in the market to increase their recognition and trust.
 • Innovation: Using modern technologies to optimize work and increase the effectiveness of initiatives.
 
Participants emphasized that strategic planning, coordination between CSOs from different regions, and the pooling of resources are the foundation for the sustainable development of the sector.
25.11.2024