Ukraine is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world, with about 40% of its territory contaminated with explosive ordnance (UXO). According to the UN, more than 1,8 million Ukrainian children and adults live in conditions of increased mine risk, especially in the deoccupied regions of the country. Despite the efforts of the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service, significant areas remain dangerous for the local population. People affected by the war and/or living in deoccupied communities need support. The international non-governmental organization (NGO) "Social Initiatives for Occupational Safety and Health" continues the work launched in 2023, aimed at supporting these people.

The Living Without Limits II project will provide psychosocial support services in affected communities. A special platform will also be set up and a training program for people with spinal cord injuries will be implemented at the project partner, the State Rehabilitation Institution (SRI) “Podillia Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities,” and aimed at developing wheelchair skills.

Project goal:

To increase the capacity of state and municipal institutions, such as social service centers of Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, as well as the State Educational Institution “Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities “Podillia”, to provide high-quality services for people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Project objectives:

1. Strengthening the capacity of social service centers in communities of Donetsk and Kharkiv regions contaminated with explosives to provide comprehensive social services, including psychological support to victims of explosives, with the aim of their recovery and further reintegration into communities.
2. Providing psychological support to victims of IDPs and their family members in the project's target communities.
3. Development and implementation of a training program for people with spinal cord injuries to master wheelchair usage skills at the Podillia Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities.

Target groups:

• People directly affected by explosive devices and military actions;
• Residents of communities in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions affected by hostilities;
• People with spinal cord injuries;
• Social workers and psychologists from Social Service Centers who provide psychosocial services to victims of domestic violence, and specialists from the Rehabilitation Center.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Donetsk Regional Center for Social Services, the Kharkiv City Center for Social Services "Dovira" and the State Rehabilitation Institution "Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities "Podillia".

The project is implemented by the NGO "Social Initiatives for Occupational Safety and Health" with the support of UNDP within the framework of the project "Transformational Recovery for Human Safety in Ukraine" and with financial support from the Government of Japan.