Ukraine’s western Volyn region unveils new integration space to bridge gap between displaced and locals

The western city of Kovel opened an integration space for new citizens who moved to the city because of Russia's war and for locals to interact, Rubryka reports.

What is the problem?

The Kovel City Council reports that the Kovel community received one of the largest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Volyn region. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the city has actively cooperated with charities and foundations that care for the displaced. One of them is the Rokada charity foundation, which has 20 years of experience in this line of work and implements socially responsible projects.

What is the solution?

A space has opened in the Kovel Professional Medical College, which will be a convenient platform to create joint initiatives among locals, internally displaced persons, and the authorities.

How does it work?

The opening gathered the deputy mayor Natalia Malenytska, the director of the Kovel Professional Medical College, Olena Hrygola, representatives of the Rokada Foundation, IDP women, and community representatives:

"We have to create the most comfortable conditions for the people who lost their homes and came to us," said Natalia Malenytska. "We managed to join forces with the charity foundation and the medical college. It is great that the educational institution came forward and provided space to implement the project. We want people who come here to feel at home."

Funding of ₴200,000 ($5,414) was allocated from the community budget to the regional budget for the repair of the room, of which ₴150,000 ($4060) was used. The financing of the charity fund of ₴140,000 ($3790) was used for office equipment, furniture, children's games, etc.The primary task of the newly created space is to promote social cohesion, the growth and sustainable development of the Kovel community with its new citizens, and ensure the integration process by holding joint events, classes, training, thematic meetings, etc.

The project is implemented with the support of UNHCR Ukraine — the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.

Rubryka reported that a community in the Volyn region established the production of containers for separate waste collection.

Rubryka also reported that Novovolynsk, Volyn region, launched the ecological initiative "Dispose of Batteries – Clean Ukraine," during which almost 250 kg of batteries were collected on the first day alone.