The Community Self-Help NGO supports communities in recovery and adaptation after crises, teaching self-reliance, digital tools, and effective management. We strengthen the managerial and organizational capacity of community initiatives, help communities become visible through storytelling and advocacy campaigns, and ensure the sustainable development of their projects.

Main areas and projects (2022–2025)

1. Support for veterans and people with disabilities

• “I did, so can you” — a social project for veterans who need to adapt after being wounded: video tips, e-guides, and podcasts for achieving everyday independence after disability.

• Support for Kherson rescuers from the State Emergency Service through the Canadian Trident project — funding for equipment for the RER and REB services.

2. Advocacy and creation of social tools

• “Veteran Journey Map” — a tool for creating a unified medical and psychosocial space for defenders of Ukraine.

3. Storytelling and oral histories

• Fundacja Dobra Wola (Krakow, Poland) project — “Public Oral History Archive” for recording the stories of volunteers, veterans, and IDPs.

• “My Story — My Power” — an educational project for veterans (in Bakhmut, Berdiansk, and Dnipro) and IDPs, with further online continuation; training is conducted by Olga Onyshko (Washington), an expert in cinema and storytelling.

4. Training and community development

• Support for schools, community organizations, and local initiatives in the use of digital tools for development and communication.

• Use of storytelling as a tool for visibility, advocacy, and sustainability of organizations.

• Conducting training sessions and workshops for volunteers and community activists.

Impact and results

• Improved management and organizational capacity of dozens of community initiatives.

• Created information resources to support veterans and people with disabilities.

• Dozens of oral histories documented and preserved as part of Ukraine's cultural memory.

• A system of psychosocial support and advocacy tools for local communities and veterans established.