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.

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