The Foundation team held a three‑day networking event in Truskavets for the grantees of the Impulse Project, implemented in partnership with the International Renaissance Foundation. The gathering brought together nearly 90 representatives of civil society organizations from 12 regions of Ukraine.

Their teams work daily with the consequences of the war, support their communities, and assist people in frontline and deoccupied areas. That is why we aimed to create a space where participants could not only gain new knowledge and find partners for future initiatives, but also take a moment to rest, spend time in the Carpathian landscape, and restore their energy.

The event was opened by Viktoriia Gladchenko, Communications Director at East Europe Foundation. She shared five lessons of resilience learned by our Foundation:

1. Resilience is not only about heroism — it is also about a system. Over the long run, organizations are sustained not by mobilization and enthusiasm alone, but by well‑established processes, financial discipline, and strong teams.
2. Systems don’t burn out — people do. Even the strongest institutional framework cannot replace genuine care for the people who make the organization work.
3. Donor trust is built on professionalism, not mission alone. A strong project idea matters, but donors support those who can deliver it. That is why developing project management practices is essential.
4. Communication is more than a post‑event update. It reflects an organization’s institutional capacity and helps build trust. People are reluctant to share reputational risks — but they are eager to be part of success stories.
5. Strong organizations do not grow in isolation. The greatest impact emerges when organizations combine their resources. Meaningful partnerships and strong networking are therefore key to long‑term sustainability.

A significant part of the event focused on networking and interaction between organizations. Facilitator Olha Shelest helped create a space for connection, trust, and deeper understanding among participants.

During interactive exercises, group work, and discussions, participants discussed not only their organizations and projects but also the challenges they face while seeking common interests and opportunities for future collaboration.

For many guests, this event provided a chance to expand their professional networks and connect with individuals who share similar values, experiences, and goals behind organizations. These encounters often lead to new partnerships, collaborative projects, and networks of mutual support that last long after the event ends.

An important part of the agenda was the training by Valeriia Tatarchuk, founder of the Charitable Foundation “Tvoia Opora”. Drawing on her extensive experience in the civil society sector, she spoke about leadership, organizational development, and the key challenges CSO teams face today.

Valeriia shared practical solutions rather than theoretical approaches — the kinds of decisions that strengthen organizational resilience. She discussed methods to build a financial foundation that does not rely on a single source of support and ways to combine different tools for resource mobilization.

A particularly valuable component of the training was the From the Small to the Great workbook, created specifically for participants. Over two days, they used it to record key ideas, analyze their approaches to fundraising, communication and partnerships, as well as outline specific steps for strengthening their organizations.

A separate focus was placed on cooperation with businesses — how partnership projects are formed, what drives successful collaboration, and why it is important to think beyond “fundraising” towards creating shared value for all parties involved.

Trust in charitable organizations was another important topic. Valeriia explained how reputation is built, why transparent reporting is essential, and how effective communication influences the willingness of individuals and businesses to support initiatives.

Another valuable reminder was her statement that work in the civil society sector requires a professional approach:

Charity is a profession that requires specific knowledge, expertise, experience, and full‑time involvement.

This thought effectively summarized the meeting and set the framework for understanding that modern charity is about systems, professionalism, and long-term work — not one-time actions.

Over the course of three days, representatives of various organizations learned, discussed shared challenges, exchanged success stories, and explored new opportunities for cooperation. Such meetings not only strengthen professional competencies but also help build a community of people who work every day for the development of their communities.

We are grateful to all participants for their openness, engagement, and willingness to share their experiences. The development of a strong civil society begins with trust, partnership, and mutual support.

The Impulse Project is implemented by East Europe Foundation and the International Renaissance Foundation, with support from Norway and Sweden.