From the outset of the Russian invasion, the Luhansk Oblast — and, since 24 February 2022, the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as well — have become the EGAP Programme’s most vulnerable target regions. Despite the heavy shelling of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the occupation of the Luhansk Oblast, we continue to operate and supply our communities with everything necessary.

Digitalisation in these regions has brought about the inauguration of two citizen activity centers in the Vasylkivka and Mezhova Communities of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

The Dnipropetrovsk Oblast ASC has received sixty-four defibrillators from the EGAP Programme and representatives of the Swiss Embassy.

A mobile briefcase has been handed over to the Sievierodonetsk Community in the Luhansk Oblast.

We would like to remind you that a citizen activity center is a space where community residents can independently hold various events by using a calendar of events.

These centers have become particularly relevant now that many internally displaced persons are moving to the areas away from the zone of hostilities. Not only new housing is needed for the displaced persons, but also a friendly community that would help to integrate into the community faster.

A mobile briefcase is the ASC administrator’s portable workplace allowing for on-site services to be delivered to the community’s residents. It houses a laptop, a mini-printer and a mini-scanner, a power bank, as well as a payment terminal to make the delivery of, and payment for, administrative services more comfortable.

It is not always possible to plan one’s life when facing continuous shelling or power blackouts. Especially for vulnerable people who have become IDPs. Thus, there is an added value of being able to take advantage of public services from the comfort of home.

Despite Russia’s being intent on destroying our cities and breaking human lives, Ukrainians still continue to help each other and create new things without waiting for victory.

Citizen activity centers and the Mobile Briefcase activity have been developed with support from the Swiss-Ukrainian EGAP Programme implemented by the Eastern Europe Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and funded by Switzerland.