The difficult, crisis-ridden times in Ukraine have forced millions of people to adapt to a new and painful reality. For women and vulnerable groups, these changes have been especially noticeable. They are not only experiencing the loss of homes, loved ones, and economic stability — they are also facing daily challenges related to migration, heightened risks of violence, and discrimination. In such circumstances, the right to security, dignity, and equal opportunities shifts from an abstract idea to a fundamental necessity that determines survival.
Despite these challenges, initiatives across Ukraine are becoming centers of hope and support. They go beyond traditional humanitarian aid, such as food and clothing, to offer something more: emotional support, safe spaces, and the opportunity to be heard.
Local and regional humanitarian organizations often operate where large international structures cannot fully function. Their strength lies in a deep understanding of local needs, since the people involved in these initiatives are themselves part of the communities they support. This allows them to respond quickly, flexibly, and in a targeted way, helping not only to survive physically but also to maintain psychological health, laying the groundwork for recovery.
In this article, we will highlight three initiatives supported by the Ukrainian Feminist Network for Freedom and Democracy. All of them share common values, yet each is unique in its approach. “On the Edge” focuses on the psychological recovery of women forced to leave their homes due to the war, creating spaces for solidarity, art therapy, and learning. “Norma Vita” supports women, LGBTQI+ people, and internally displaced persons from the Kherson Oblast, as well as those who have found refuge in Odesa and other cities. The organization combines humanitarian aid with professional training courses to provide people with a path toward economic independence. “Solidarity Collectives” deliver humanitarian assistance to residents of frontline and deoccupied territories, support medical institutions, and care for animals affected by the war.
Their stories testify to how we can act in times of uncertainty guided by the principles of feminist solidarity, respect for diversity, and faith in change. These are stories of people and spaces that, even in the darkest times, create hope, offer support, and take confident steps toward a more just future
“On the Edge”: Supporting Women in Frontline Communities through Safety, Therapy, and Education
Today, Kramatorsk has become home to thousands of women forced to flee occupied territories or settlements where fighting never ceases. Bakhmut, Kramatorsk, Volnovakha, Pokrovsk — these names are now associated with the loss of homes, jobs, and the familiar peaceful life. Living in a relatively safe city does not free them from the constant pressure of war: the frontline is close, thoughts of returning home linger in their minds, and uncertainty about the future weighs on their hearts.
In Kramatorsk, there is a lack of spaces where women can receive psychological support, feel safe, and find the strength to move forward. Most humanitarian projects focus on basic needs such as food and hygiene supplies, but often overlook deeper problems: chronic stress, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem. That is why the On the Edge initiative launched a project that helps women not only survive but also recover.
Volunteer and initiative representative Liudmyla Snitsarenko shared that their team organized meetings for women who had been forced to leave their communities. Before the sessions began, many of them typically felt insecure, disoriented, and cut off from their familiar environment. Over time, however, they began to feel that even under such conditions it is possible to be strong, active, and confident. The participants were introduced to tools for maintaining their psychological state, told about educational programs for IDPs, and shared useful information. “Time has passed, but we still receive words of gratitude for the support that came so timely,” she added.
The project combined humanitarian aid with three modules that had both educational and therapeutic components. Women took part in art therapy sessions, creative workshops, and psychological practices that helped relieve tension, restore emotional balance, and unlock new inner resources. This process became not only a form of therapy but also a way to build social connections: participants met each other, exchanged experiences, and created their own support network.
Another area of work was the distribution of individual safety kits, which were provided to 50 active women. These kits contained everything necessary for emergency evacuation and relocation in case of intensified hostilities or the destruction of housing. They were not only a practical survival tool, but also a symbol of care: each kit reminded women that their lives are valuable and that someone had taken steps to ensure their safety.
The training sessions conducted by the On the Edge initiative enhanced legal literacy, strengthened psychological resilience, and built self-confidence even in the most difficult circumstances. By developing creative skills, women also gained the opportunity to start their own small businesses in the field of handicrafts, which helped them restore financial stability.
Liudmyla Snitsarenko notes that, over time, small communities began to form among the women. For example, participants who started their own businesses began meeting regularly at the office to discuss work-related issues and share experiences. When they need professional advice, they invite the head of the Kramatorsk tax office, who answers all their questions. There is also a mini-community of women from Chasiv Yar who help each other find housing or accompany newcomers to social institutions.
The initiative already has many stories of personal transformation. Some participants have become more active in attending events in Kramatorsk, joining trainings, and even becoming part of the team.
“A boiler room worker from Chasiv Yar became a case manager supporting vulnerable people, and a primary school teacher tried her hand as a psychosocial support specialist,” Lyudmyla shared.
All of this makes On the Edge more than just a humanitarian initiative: it is a place where women feel that they are not only survivors of war but also creators of their own future.
“Norma Vita”: The Path to Economic Independence for Women and the LGBTQI+ Community
Today, initiatives that open up new perspectives have become especially valuable. This is a story about those who are able to see opportunity beyond crisis and help others do the same, step by step, restoring a sense of safety, dignity, and personal agency. One such organization is “Norma Vita”, which since 2003 has been supporting women and families in the Kherson region, creating conditions for a dignified life and development even in the most difficult times. Since 2014, the organization has also been working with internally displaced persons, and in 2015, together with other local organizations and government bodies, it established a hub in Kherson, a support center for IDPs with the backing of the UN Refugee Agency.
The full-scale war forced “Norma Vita” to relocate to Odesa, as it became too dangerous to remain in Kherson: almost everyone connected with the organization had left the city, and the office was flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. In 2023, the team began work in Odesa and relaunched the hub in a new format to provide comprehensive support for women and LGBTQI+ internally displaced people from the Kherson region. They also helped activists who had to leave the area due to danger. The organization provided not only humanitarian aid but also economic support by offering professional courses that enabled people to acquire new qualifications and quickly find employment.
One of the key areas of work became a Telegram chatbot, launched in 2024 with the support of Outright International. It contains up-to-date information on all types of assistance available to LGBTQI+ people in Ukraine. Through the bot, users could apply for urgent humanitarian support and receive vouchers for food or hygiene products. This form of assistance is as convenient and safe as possible: the vouchers are electronic, protected by a code and available in ATB supermarket chains in different cities.
In its first year of operation, the bot processed more than 4,000 requests from 685 unique users. During the same period, the organization distributed humanitarian aid to the LGBTQI+ community in Kherson and Odesa: 200 food packages, 1,300 vouchers for food and hygiene products, and 200 winter kits for LGBTQI+ people from the Kherson region. A total of 244 events were held at the community center.
An important part of Norma Vita’s work also became professional training courses, which offered participants a real chance to change their lives. One of the most popular was a barista and coffee roasting course, developed in partnership with the coffee shop network, “Roasting Coffee in Odesa.” The program combined theory with intensive hands-on practice under the guidance of Ukrainian experts. In just a month and a half, participants gained professional skills that enabled them to find employment in Odesa’s cafés and restaurants, or even start their own businesses. Twenty women completed the training, and most of them found jobs within one to two months after finishing the course.
The director of the NGO Norma Vita, Olha Chebukina, explained that when choosing training directions, the team focused on courses that could realistically help participants find employment quickly, even after relocation. The demand for barista training came directly from the women themselves, who wanted to acquire this profession. As a result, the program became accessible, practical, and at the same time opened up new perspectives. For many, it was not only an opportunity to gain professional skills, but also to begin a new chapter in life.
Among the graduates’ stories are both small personal steps and ambitious entrepreneurial plans. One participant noted: “The barista course for me was not just about making coffee, it was a set of additional skills and new connections. My passion for coffee has even grown into a virtual cafe on Telegram. These are small steps toward my dream — my own coffee shop.”
Another participant added: “We had to move from Odesa, and for now I use my knowledge only when ordering coffee. But in the future, I dream of opening my own cafe.”
Even those who, for various reasons, were not able to find a job right away noted that the courses brought them new acquaintances, self-confidence, and inspiration. For the team, this became proof that even short-term training can be the starting point for major changes.
However, some participants faced age discrimination after completing the courses: employers refused to hire women over 30, despite their knowledge and motivation. One of them shared: “The courses were very interesting, and I learned a lot. But when I started looking for a job, I was rejected because of my age. I was told that 34 is too old for a barista. Everywhere I went, I heard the same thing: they only hire up to 30.”
Such stories show that the problem of discrimination in Ukraine’s labor market remains acute. It affects not only age, but also gender, sexual orientation, and health status. At the same time, however, they reveal something else: women and the LGBTQI+ community are ready to fight for their right to a profession and self-realization, even in the face of barriers. The way forward lies in expanding inclusive educational programs, building partnerships with employers willing to challenge outdated stereotypes, and fostering social solidarity. Real change begins when every person has the chance to prove that age or other characteristics are not limitations, but part of the experience that makes them stronger.
Norma Vita does more than distribute vouchers or conduct trainings, it helps restore self-confidence, creates a safe space for self-realization, and builds bridges toward economic independence. With the support of international partners, cooperation with local authorities, and an inclusive approach, the organization is transforming the lives of women and LGBTQI+ people in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. This proves that even in times of war, it is possible to find new opportunities and shape one’s own future.
“Solidarity Collectives”: Support that Unites Communities
The full-scale invasion forced thousands of people to leave their homes, leaving behind everything, from possessions to memories. Others remained in deoccupied or frontline territories, enduring shelling, losses, and constant fear.Solidarity Collectives work precisely where help is most needed, uniting humanitarian efforts to support internally displaced people, vulnerable women, large families, and all those affected by the war.
The organization provides targeted humanitarian assistance, including food, hygiene products, clothing, and textiles for displaced persons and residents of deoccupied and frontline communities. Special attention is given to those living in dormitories or temporary shelters with minimal conditions, where every warm blanket, every household item becomes a symbol of care and support.
Initiative representative Kseniia noted that assistance is coordinated across several areas simultaneously, for people, animals, and medical institutions. Each humanitarian trip is designed to support up to 50 people, with the budget distributed to cover primarily household requires, from microwaves and kettles to other essential items. “We may not be able to meet many requests, but for those who receive it, this aid is truly significant,” she explained.
For Solidarity Collectives, every life matters, which is why they also care for animals left behind on the front line or in newly liberated towns and villages. The organization delivers food for them and provides veterinary care.
At the beginning of their work, the team was able to secure support from pet brands and feed producers, but now this has become more difficult, so the volume of assistance has decreased.
Another important area is supporting medical institutions. The initiative supplies hospitals and nursing stations with basic equipment and medicines. They also respond to urgent requests, for example, when water disappeared in Nikopol, they quickly purchased large bottles and funded delivery.
There are also personal stories of assistance. For instance, the organization supported a volunteer from Dobropillia who was forced to evacuate with her animals due to shelling. They covered the costs of installing water in her new home and funded two dog enclosures.
The geography of the initiative’s work is extensive: from the Kyiv and Sumy regions to Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions.
“Among our future plans is a fundraising campaign to support internally displaced people. At the same time, another fundraiser is being prepared for a Kyiv shelter that works on sterilizing cats and rescuing animals from frontline territories. They need to restore 11 enclosures for keeping the animals,” Kseniia shared.
Solidarity Collectives operate on the principle: receive a request quickly, deliver help quickly, so that people who have lived through occupation or remain under shelling know they are not alone. In a world where war divides, this initiative restores people’s sense of community, care, and faith in the future.
How Care and Love Become Weapons and Protection
All three initiatives, On the Edge, Norma Vita, and Solidarity Collectives share one essential trait: they were born out of the need to act in times of crisis and have remained true to the principles of solidarity, mutual support, and the struggle for equality. Their work goes beyond providing “here and now” assistance, it is a long-term investment in dignity, safety, and human rights, especially for women, the LGBTQI+ community, vulnerable groups, and those at the very epicenter of war.
Each of these initiatives operates in its own format, from art therapy sessions and professional training courses to the delivery of humanitarian kits and medical aid. Yet they are united by a common goal: not only to meet basic needs but also to restore people’s inner resources, strengthen their ability to act, and empower them to shape their own lives. This is support that sustains both body and spirit.
Their impact on communities is felt in many dimensions: women and LGBTQI+ people gain new professions and jobs, displaced persons receive access to vital resources, medical workers obtain equipment and medicines, and those who have survived occupation feel that their stories are heard and their needs recognized. This restores social connections, strengthens trust, and fosters the growth of horizontal support networks.
The local work of these initiatives is directly linked to broader human rights processes. Every successful delivery of aid, every training held, or voucher distributed is a small but meaningful step toward realizing the rights to safety, education, work, and a life free from discrimination. Local actions weave together the living fabric of civil society, capable of defending rights even under extraordinary conditions.
Together, they demonstrate that feminist and human rights work in Ukraine is not only about protests and advocacy in times of peace, but also about real, tangible action during war, when people’s lives and dignity are at stake.
Yana Radchenko