"The Community is a Space of Support": The “Public Resources and Initiatives” Charity Foundation on Values and Approaches to Veteran Reintegration in Chernivtsi Region

Following the launch of the project “Reintegration of war veterans through the creation of educational opportunities: One plus one”, initiated by the “Public Resources and Initiatives” Charity Foundation, the project team is revealing the deeper meanings and approaches behind the initiative.

This project is more than just a series of trainings and consultations. It reflects a philosophy of action the Foundation has developed over more than ten years of work in communities: to restore dignity, to see the person, to create support where it is lacking.

“To us, a veteran is not a recipient of aid, but a full-fledged participant in society. A bearer of experience, responsibility, and strength — a resource, not a burden. Our goal is to help that resource be realized: through education, through entrepreneurship, through community engagement,” says Olena Tanasiychuk, President of the Foundation and Project Lead.

“We believe that a community is not just a geographic concept. It’s a space where every person deserves a dignified life. Our task is to help make that possibility real.”

A Foundation that Works with and for Trust

The “Public Resources and Initiatives” Charity Foundation has been implementing programs in civic education, social support, and local development for over a decade. A significant part of its work focuses on veteran communities, families of fallen soldiers, internally displaced persons, and those affected by the trauma of war.

The Foundation’s work is always grounded in three key principles:

• Systemic approach – support must be long-term and consistent, not one-off;
• Participant agency – every person has the right to choose, to develop professionally, and to claim their rightful place in society;
• Partnership – no initiative is possible without the involvement of community, business, government, media, and experts.

The “Ours for Ours” project embodies this approach: it combines education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, psychological support, and integration events, where veterans are not just participants — they are co-creators of change.

Figures That Speak to Impact

According to preliminary estimates, at least 270 veterans and their family members will receive targeted support through the project. Expected outcomes include:

• 45 participants gaining new professions or entrepreneurial skills;
• 30 completing a business school program;
• 6 launching or scaling their own businesses with microgrant support;
• Over 200 receiving individual and group consultations;
• 30 accessing psychological support;
• Hundreds more finding renewed grounding in their communities through mutual support events.

Why Chernivtsi?

“Here in Chernivtsi region, we see a unique opportunity to unite a strong community, open educational platforms, and a readiness for collaboration. In parallel, the project will also operate in eight other regions,” Tanasiychuk highlights.

A Project That Leaves a Lasting System

Among the key outcomes that will remain after the project concludes:

• A “Veterans’ Opportunities Map” listing available services in the region;
• Cross-sector partnerships with communities, libraries, businesses, and educational institutions;
• Sustainable models of education and mentorship that can be adapted across any local community.

“Reintegration is not about returning to the past. It’s about building a future where the veteran has a place, a purpose, and a path forward. That’s what we’re working toward,” concludes Olena Tanasiychuk.

The project is implemented in partnership with DVV International in Ukraine and supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.

Stay updated on the project via the Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube pages.