The Kochubeivska community held another meeting of the working group of community engagement, with representatives of the local authorities, municipal and social institutions, the community police officer, civil society, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine taking part. The meeting focused on changes in the security situation, the community’s needs for the coming period, the results of a strategic session on veterans’ policy, and possible areas of work in 2027.
Security was discussed separately. Community representatives noted that the threat is gradually approaching the community’s territory, and cases of drones crashing have already been recorded. Therefore, it is important not only to have drone detection equipment but also to provide residents with information on how to act during attacks and what to do if they spot a drone or an explosive object.
During the meeting, the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union” provided the Kochubeivka community with a “Dzyga” drone detector received from the Foundation’s partners at Razom for Ukraine. Community representatives had raised the need for such equipment during previous working group meetings. The detector will be used to enhance the safety of community employees as the drone threat gradually increases.
The participants also discussed the community’s preparedness for disruptions to communications and electricity supplies. Some of the Starlink systems are already out of service, so the community needs to restore backup internet access. This is particularly important due to regular attacks on mobile communications infrastructure in frontline communities.
Ahead of winter, participants also identified a need for drinking water storage tanks. They are needed to deliver water to remote settlements during disruptions to centralized water supplies. Additional protection for certain water supply facilities was also discussed.
Other community needs include backup power sources, equipment, and furniture for the Center for Social Services; first-aid kits and personal protective equipment; and a stock of materials for rapid emergency repairs and restoration following possible shelling. These include tarpaulins, roofing materials, and other supplies that can be used to quickly cover damaged roofs and windows until full repairs can be carried out.
Community representatives also emphasized the importance of first aid and safety training for institutional employees and residents.
Veterans’ policy was another separate topic. Participants were presented with the results of a strategic session held jointly this summer for the Kochubeivka and Velyka Oleksandrivka communities. The session examined the communities’ preparedness for the return of veterans and female veterans, existing services, and possible models for coordination among different institutions.
A specialist supporting veterans has already begun working in the Kochubeivka community. At the same time, there is still a need to establish a clear point of entry for veterans, female veterans, and their family members, develop referral pathways between institutions, and ensure access to services for residents of remote settlements.
The meeting also addressed the possibility of creating a veterans’ center. The community is considering various options, but planning should take into account not only the premises and their equipment but also transportation accessibility, staffing, the program of activities, and the actual needs of veterans, including female veterans. The number of people returning to civilian life is gradually increasing, so these decisions need to be prepared for now.
Participants identified psychological and emotional support, rehabilitation, return to employment, and access to services in different settlements across the community as some of the most pressing issues for the veteran community.
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UNDP representatives spoke about a current grant competition for civil society and veterans’ organizations, as well as a study visit to Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions, where community representatives will be able to learn about different models for operating veterans’ centers and systems for providing services to veterans and female veterans.
In the near future, representatives of the target communities will also take part in the course “How to Communicate During Wartime,” which focuses on interacting with veterans, including female veterans, and their families. The Kochubeivska community also plans to hold the training locally for a larger number of institutional employees who interact with residents daily.
The working group meeting enabled updating the list of community needs in light of changes in the security situation and identifying areas where resources and partner support can be sought going forward.
This grant initiative is being implemented by the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation Union within the framework of EU4Recovery—a flagship partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, co-financed by the Government of Sweden.
