East Europe Foundation is implementing Stiykist’ Programme within a consortium of non-governmental organisations led by ERIM (Equal Rights and Independent Media, France) in partnership with Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights House Tbilisi, the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, and funded by the European Union.

The Programme, which runs from June 2022 to May 2023, aims to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs), public activists, and media outlets in Ukraine affected by the war.

The Programme mainly targets the central regions of Ukraine, which have become a shelter for many internally displaced people and organisations.

Key areas of activity include:

Grant component for civil society organisations and media outlets

• Support for CSOs and media representatives, as well as for their family members during their relocation from regions affected by military operations and helping them in maintaining life in a new place. Among other things, funds are provided for logistics expenses, medical care, rental of temporary housing, strengthening organisational capacity, and so on.
• Grants for media outlets registered as public organisations to ensure their uninterrupted operation. Funds may be used for salaries coverage, purchase of necessary equipment for editorial office work and content production, securing data, provision of psychological support, etc.
• Support for organisations that start coworking spaces and offices for internally displaced representatives of civil society organisations and the media. There is an opportunity to get funds for the launch and organisational support of such centres.

Strengthening resilience through educational initiatives

• Development of online courses

The Programme will include the creation of five online courses on essential topics to ensure effective work and increase the resilience of CSOs and journalists in war and post-war conditions. An audience will be able to learn how to relocate an organisation, what aspects are important in the process of relocation, and how to build a civil society organisation in Ukraine. The courses will also cover topics of personal safety of activists and journalists, fighting disinformation, developing skills for overcoming conflicts and building connections. The courses will be available for free to everyone on Zrozumilo! online educational platform.

• Training programme and mentorship for displaced activists and CSOs

EEF will conduct a series of training sessions on adaptive management of CSOs, planning projects focused on the provision of assistance and recovery in the time of war and afterward, development of communication skills, usage of e-democracy tools and public technologies, work with volunteers, provision of emotional support in stressful circumstances, inclusive programming of activities and inclusive communities, development of a roadmap for reorienting CSOs to work in new conditions.

• Methodological materials and workshops for representatives of communities hosting internally displaced persons

As part of the Programme, EEF will publish a collection of handy materials for communities and conduct workshops that will promote effective adaptation and successful interaction of displaced people and CSOs with host communities.