The “Together We Can” program summarizes the completion of two extremely important Training Schools, which have had a significant impact on leadership development and support for community initiatives in Ukraine. In May 2025, participants in these events gained new tools and knowledge for effective work in recovery conditions after crises.
School 1: “The Art of Psychological Recovery”
The first training of the “Art of Psychological Recovery” program was an important step in building resilience among local leaders. Trainers Anna Chepurna and Alla Mekshun prepared a series of practical exercises that helped develop emotional self-regulation and strategies to support communities in crisis conditions. The program included:
- Developing emotional self-regulation skills
- Techniques for restoring local identity
- Art-therapy methods for relieving stress and emotional recovery
Participants developed mini-initiatives to help preserve psychological capital in their communities. This was a day of active work and practices that can already be applied locally.
School 2: “Integrating Gender Issues into the Inclusive Recovery Process”
The second training focused on integrating gender equality into community recovery processes. Under the guidance of trainers Kristina Sakhno and Andriana Kostenko, participants learned about the basics of gender-sensitive approaches and methods to overcome gender stereotypes in their communities. The main topics included:
- Gender equality as the basis for recovery
- Developing strategies to ensure equal opportunities
- Inclusive initiatives for sustainable community development
Participants had the opportunity to create their mini-initiatives aimed at integrating gender equality into the recovery processes after crises. They also had the chance to present their projects and receive feedback from experts.
Conclusions and Next Steps
Both training sessions became important milestones in educating leaders who are capable of effectively implementing social initiatives and ensuring psychological and gender equality in their communities. With practical knowledge and new tools, participants received strong support for overcoming the crisis and recovery after the war.
Our project continues to work on creating sustainable and effective initiatives to support communities and strengthen leadership locally.
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