Why Supporting Ukrainian Civil Society Maters – Stories From Our Local Partners
In May 2024, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) successfully completed the “Resilient Civil Society and Media Respond to the Ukraine War” project. Funded by the European Union, we carried out this initiative in collaboration with People in Need and the Prague Civil Society Center. The project was launched shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which severely jeopardized the operational space and existence of civil society organizations (CSOs) dedicated to human rights protection in Ukraine.
Despite the immense challenges, many Ukrainian CSOs continued their work, though often in a constant state of crisis. Their primary focus shifted towards urgent activities such as providing humanitarian aid to affected populations and documenting war crimes. However, this shift made it increasingly difficult for these organizations to sustain their regular activities, such as monitoring attacks on human rights defenders (HRDs) and advocating for specific human rights issues.
Recognizing the critical need for support, the project aimed to help these CSOs survive and build resilience during this emergency. By offering flexible organizational support, the NHC sought to provide these organizations with the necessary “breathing space” to continue their vital work amidst the ongoing war. In total, the project supported 29 organisations across Ukraine, which include prominent CSOs, as well as smaller regional organisations and grassroots movements.
Below, we highlight stories from some of our Ukrainian partners who received grants through this project, demonstrating the significant impact that even modest support can have for Ukrainian civil society.
Bilozerka Center for Regional Development, located in the Kherson region, has long been at the forefront, promoting citizen participation in local governance and combating corruption. The organization faced significant challenges following the occupation of their village by Russian forces, its subsequent liberation, and the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, which led to widespread flooding in the region. These events forced the centre adapt to a drastically changed environment. Thanks to the project, the organization managed to purchase the necessary equipment, which ensured their work in the aftermath. Furthermore, the project safeguarded continuation of the work of their mobile group, which carries out visits to remote communities that are located close to the occupation line and provides them free legal and psychological assistance.
Feminist Workshop, based in Lviv, focuses on challenging gender stereotypes, combating various forms of discrimination, and advocating for the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. The full-scale war worsened existing societal issues and introduced new challenges, prompting the organization to expand its scope of work. Among its many initiatives, Feminist Workshop operates shelters for activists and women in need from across Ukraine. Through the support of our project, the organization was able to purchase essential equipment that significantly improved their office’s technical capabilities, enabling them to carry out their work more efficiently. Additionally, the grant allowed them to conduct thorough risk assessments and develop new security and staff protection strategies, to allow them to better adapt to the ever-changing external circumstances.
Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health (Health Right International) is dedicated to enhancing access to quality healthcare and safeguarding human rights, with a particular focus on gender-based violence, reproductive health, HIV prevention, and mental health. In response to the crisis caused by Russia’s military aggression, the organization expanded its programs to support IDPs, war-affected women, and other vulnerable populations. Their mobile teams are on the ground, providing essential support to those living near active hostilities. Thanks to the grant, the Foundation was able to purchase crucial safety equipment for their staff. This equipment is allowing them to continue delivering aid to communities that are under constant shelling. Additionally, the grant enabled the organization to print informational materials on safety and human rights protection, which have been distributed to their regional teams and local communities.
The Human Rights Protection Group “SICH,” based in Dnipro, has been offering comprehensive legal assistance to victims of the war in Eastern Ukraine since 2014. Amid the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion and resulting humanitarian crisis, SICH continues its critical work of documenting human rights violations and providing general legal aid to affected individuals. This project enabled SICH to continue offering free legal assistance to 77 victims, including internally displaced persons and families of the deceased, while also documenting war crimes in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Additionally, the project supported team resilience through a retreat that helped update the organization’s strategy to adapt to wartime challenges.
Ukrainian Coalition for Legal Aid focuses on providing legal assistance to vulnerable groups, promoting legal literacy and awareness and conducting advocacy initiatives both regionally and nationally. Specializing in three areas of law: labour relations, property rights, and patient rights, the coalition has seen a significant rise in demand for its services since the full-scale invasion. As the war triggered frequent legal changes, their lawyers and volunteers needed to adapt swiftly to continue supporting IDPs and military personnel. Through this project, trainings were conducted in 10 regions to enhance staff expertise in volunteer legal regulation and military rights. Additionally, purchased equipment ensured continuous legal support, even during power outages.
Human Rights Centre ZMINA has significant experience in information campaigns, educational programs, and the monitoring and documentation of human rights violations. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ZMINA shifted its efforts to documenting war crimes committed by Russian forces and advocating for justice for victims of Russian aggression, which also involves conducting field missions and providing legal aid. The project helped the organisation to arrange a strategic session for 13 team members, resulting in the development of new advocacy approaches and internal coordination strategies. Additionally, the grant supported the production of an analytical report based on testimonies from those detained in Kupiansk during the occupation, which is being used for national and international advocacy.
This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Netherlands Helsinki Committee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
