In early April 2023, the training program for fire and rescue service volunteers began at the Training Center of the State Emergency Service.

“Ukrainians demonstrated unity during the full-scale aggression, and as a result, we are seeing a surge in the volunteer movement,” said Victor Liakh, East Europe Foundation President. “In turn, the Foundation launched the Spilnodiia Program, which is aimed at helping volunteers and activists. The launch of the Center is the result of the well-coordinated work of the State Emergency Service, East Europe Foundation, program donors and, of course, people who want to improve their knowledge and skills to be useful for Ukraine and bring us closer to the victory.”

To date, two groups have already completed their training, the third one is currently taking the course.

In total, more than 200 volunteers will be trained within a few months. The training course duration is between one and two weeks. Citizens aged 18-60 who volunteer to assist our first responders on the ground are welcome to take part in the training.

“The volunteer movement in Ukraine is is robust and strongly motivated.. Support to civil society plays the important role in the EU support to Ukraine.,” said Head of Operations Section “Good Governance and Rule of Law” of the European Union to Ukraine. “ Effective cooperation of civil society organizations with the Government of Ukraine will definitely contribute to recovery of the country.”

In addition to the training, the All-Ukrainian Public Center Volunteer is engaged in the project to upgrade the Training Center: several classrooms have already been modernized, and work is still ongoing.

 “The development of voluntary fire and rescue units remains one of the priority areas,” said Roman Prymush, Deputy Chairman of the State Emergency Service for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization. “We are grateful to our partners for supporting and modernizing the Training Center, on the basis of which we train our volunteers.” said Roman Prymush, Deputy Chairman of the State Emergency Service for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization.

The Training Center is being upgraded with the support of East Europe Foundation in cooperation with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine within the framework of the Spilnodiia Program, which is funded by the European Union and the Watch Your Step! Program funded by DanChurchAid.