This week, we opened a new safe space, The Kherson Club of Active Citizens in Kherson.
The club aims to involve active city residents in planning and implementing joint social cohesion, recovery, and public safety initiatives.
"Research shows that almost 65% of active community residents in Ukraine did not participate in the discussion, planning, and selection of reconstruction projects in their community. At the same time, about 70% of those surveyed would like to join these processes, - notes Yuriy Antoshchuk, head of the "Union" Foundation. - Our more than 10-year experience of working with communities in Ukraine shows the importance, and now the necessity of an open and frank dialogue between various stakeholders in the community, which is the basis for recovery and developing of trust and understanding. And this is very necessary for today's disjointed society."
Within the framework of the established Club, meetings, acquaintances, speeches, and lectures with representatives of active public organizations, charitable funds, emergency services, police, government representatives, donors, and other experts working in Kherson and the Kherson region are planned.
Public organizations, representatives of the Kherson City Military Administration, the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kherson Region, the National Police, and businesses attended the Club's official opening.
"A joint meeting of representatives of various services and organizations of civil society at the same table, and a frank conversation on topics relevant for the Kherson community, allows one to look at problems from different angles and find a joint effective solution. I believe such meetings should be held permanently and tell the Kherson residents more about what is already being done for the city and the plans and prospects", says the deputy head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Vitalii Bielobrov.
A series of meetings and training for active citizens who would like to participate in the discussion, planning, and monitoring of the implementation of recovery and development programs in Ukraine and learn more about the work of various services in Kherson has already been planned for the coming year.
If you want to join the Club, write to us at office@fundunion.org.
The Kherson Club of Active Citizens began its activities within the framework of the project "Kherson: on the Way to Кecovery" conducted by the "Union" Foundation as part of its project implemented under the USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact. The activities of this Club are the sole responsibility of Pact and its implementing partners and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.