Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Sumy region has been facing challenges due to its proximity to the russian border, namely, continuous shelling, partial occupation, and internal displacement of the population. Since spring 2025, hostilities have intensified, and the situation has drastically escalated.

The worsened safety situation directly impacts the well-being of the population in Sumy region: humanitarian needs are increasing, including access to safe housing, water supply, food products, medical care, and hygiene products. The evacuated population becomes an additional burden on the territorial communities hosting internally displaced persons. Local authorities and civil society organizations (CSOs) are operating under difficult conditions of resource deficit, trying to provide aid and support recovery.

In response to these challenges, East Europe Foundation is implementing the “Capable and Resistant: Sumy” Project. The project objective is to improve access to basic humanitarian services and aid for residents of war-affected communities in Sumy region by strengthening sustainable and reliable civil society organizations.

The Program provides grant support for projects aimed at restoring Sumy region and at the institutional strengthening of civil society organizations that work under challenging conditions.

We will ensure grant support to 12 CSO projects designed to recover territorial communities within three clusters:

• Housing/Shelter. We will support the repair and reconstruction of damaged shelters and collective centers, municipal infrastructure, the improvement of the living conditions of IDPs and affected families residing in collective housing, and the preparation of such housing for the winter period. We will also cover basic utilities.
• Healthcare. This area includes the following: support of access to medical services, recovery of medical infrastructure, organization of consultations and referrals to specialty doctors (including mental and reproductive health), rehabilitation for victims of mine explosions, and ongoing repairs and improvements to municipal health facilities, given inclusivity and accessibility for vulnerable groups.
• Education. Namely, providing access to education for affected children, supporting the infrastructure of educational institutions (for example, equipping shelters), ensuring the safety and continuity of the educational process, as well as implementing inclusive solutions to establish a comfortable and accessible educational environment.

Up to 15% of the grant may be allocated to strengthen the CSO’s capacity, in particular regarding measures to increase resilience and the implementation of the “Duty of Care” package: accident and life insurance for employees and volunteers of the organization, procurement of individual first aid kits, and other forms of care for staff and volunteers.

Participating CSOs will also get mentoring support and access to the relevant EEF’s educational resources. Mentoring support will cover, namely, project management, strategic planning, communications, monitoring and evaluation, as well as principles and standards for humanitarian aid provision.

The “Capable and Resistant: Sumy” Project is being implemented by East Europe Foundation from October 2025 to 2026.