On 8–9 October, Ternopil and Kremenets hosted the first stage of the educational leadership programme «Academy of Safety and Recovery», organised by NGO «Women's Association of Ukraine» within the project «Power of Care 1325: building an inclusive social protection system in the communities of Ternopil Oblast», supported by the Government of Canada within the project «Women. Peace. Security: from local to global», implemented by the Ukrainian Women's Fund.
Helping women become strong leaders, and their organisations become quality providers of social assistance to those who need it most, was the organisers' main goal. In the words of the project director and head of NGO «Women's Association of Ukraine» Larysa Rymar:
Ternopil Oblast proves once again that active women are able to change their communities not some day in the future, but now. This is especially important to emphasise today, when women have to solve complex social problems and overcome the consequences of the war, which are sometimes beyond even men's strength.
The first day of training was titled «From one-time aid to a systemic service. Knowledge for change». Participants learned how to turn their experience into the official status of a social service provider, where to look for funding, and how to become a real driver of change at home, in their own communities. They also had the opportunity to learn about real success stories of women-led civic organisations — NGO «Bebiko Centre» and NGO «Zoria Nadii» — which are already changing the social sphere of Ternopil Oblast.
A good sign that the authorities and the academic community in Ternopil Oblast support women's civic organisations in their efforts to become active social service providers in their communities was that Nataliia Naichuk, Director of the Department of Social Protection of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, attended the meeting and gave a welcoming speech.
Professor Olha Soroka, Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy at Volodymyr Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University (TNPU), and Professor Svitlana Kalaur, Director of the TNPU Centre for Postgraduate Education, addressed the participants, wishing them not to stop in the face of difficulties, to believe in themselves, and to achieve their goals.
The consolidated voice of women's civic associations is based on their unique day-to-day experience of working with people from vulnerable groups. This makes it possible not only to provide help but also to influence legislation and shape effective local recovery programmes, emphasised Oksana Shliusar, Head of the Secretariat of the Coalition «1325. Ternopil Oblast», addressing the participants.
A substantive speech was given by Alla Andrushchuk, Head of NGO «Zoria Nadii», who stressed that civic organisations should not act as «petitioners». They are full and equal partners of communities and the state in providing social services, because they understand the needs of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups best of all.
A detailed account by Olha Hordiienko, Head of NGO «Bebiko Centre», of the organisation's development and the obstacles it overcame so that its work would not be a formality but would truly benefit those who turn to it, caught the audience's interest and prompted many questions and answers.
An emotional training session full of valuable advice and examples — especially on the mechanisms and sources of funding for social services — gave participants a detailed look at the structure of the social services system. It was led by Liubov Kan, trainer and director of NGO «Vazhlyva». Maryna Yaroshevska, Chair of the Board of NGO «Vazhlyva», continued the topic by outlining the algorithm for obtaining official social service provider status, and participants consolidated their knowledge during the team quest «Assemble the document package».
Caring for the mental health of the leaders themselves was an integral part of the programme. Practical psychologist Tetiana Nadvynychna, PhD in Psychology, explained how to recognise the signs of emotional burnout in time and led resource practices to restore inner strength.
Overall, the first day of the Academy took the form of active dialogue and practical interaction. Participants were able to present their NGOs, talk about their achievements, and discuss the challenges they face in their work every day.
The second day, titled «From knowledge to action: the experience of a social service provider», was held off-site — participants travelled to Kremenets, to the training and rehabilitation centre of NGO «Zoria Nadii», where they saw first-hand how a successful social service provider works.
The main practical result of the two days was the creation of personal roadmaps. Each organisation developed its own step-by-step algorithm with clear deadlines and responsible persons in order to officially join the Register of Social Service Providers and receive funding — from local communities as well as from the state and international foundations.
This educational leadership programme was created as a powerful platform for transforming women's initiatives into systemic solutions. The training is aimed both at comprehensively strengthening women's leadership and at the quality development of the social services market at the regional level. We want the women of Ternopil Oblast not just to respond to today's challenges, but to build an inclusive and resilient social protection system in every community.
— emphasised Larysa Rymar, Head of NGO «Women's Association of Ukraine» and project director, at the end of the training.
Two days of intensive work are behind them, and ahead lies the practical implementation of their plans in the communities of Ternopil Oblast. Participants gained a theoretical foundation, practical advocacy tools, clear individual development plans, and a powerful boost of inspiration.
For reference. The project «Power of Care 1325: building an inclusive social protection system in the communities of Ternopil Oblast» is implemented by NGO «Women's Association of Ukraine» in partnership with the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, Volodymyr Hnatiuk TNPU, the Coalition «1325. Ternopil Oblast» and NGO «Coalition of Social Service Providers», with the support of the Government of Canada within the project «Women. Peace. Security: from local to global», implemented by the Ukrainian Women's Fund.