Projects Implemented with Funding from the Republic of Latvia

• Project: "Support for Women’s Activism in Ukraine: Promoting 'Women, Peace, and Security' Policy. Establishing a Support System for Victims of War Crimes" (2022–2024)

• Project: "Shelter for Women and Girls Victims of War Crimes" (2022)

• Project: "Chernihiv: Empowerment and Support for Women Affected by War" (2023–2024)
   

Three support centers for women and girls who have suffered from war crimes, including sexual violence, have been established in Ukraine. The first center opened in Ivano-Frankivsk in 2022, while two additional centers began operations in the Chernihiv region in 2023. These centers provide shelter, long-term rehabilitation services, and comprehensive social, psychological, legal, and humanitarian support.
In addition to emotional and physical recovery, the centers offer professional training, educational workshops, and lectures aimed at strengthening women’s and girls’ economic independence, financial literacy, employment opportunities, and leadership skills.
The project also provide methodological support for specialists through training, supervision, and the development of informational materials and videos regarding gender-based violence (GBV), aid delivery, psychological first aid, and self-help. Training takes place in both Ukraine and Latvia to facilitate experience exchange. Specialists also learn methods used in Latvia, such as warm grain therapy.

Project “Chernihiv: Empowerment and Support for Women Affected by War”
Marta Centre continued to provide practical support to women and children affected by war and related crimes throughout 2024. In cooperation with Ukrainian partners—the public organization ELEOS (ЕЛЕОС) and the charitable organization "Chernihiv Network"—work continued in two support centers in Chernihiv and its region. In one of the centers, landscaping work was completed to create a specially adapted environment for workshops and informal communication.
To strengthen specialist knowledge and provide methodological support, a study visit to Latvia was organized for representatives from 18 partner organizations and municipalities. Participants were introduced to the experience of Marta Centre and Latvia in violence prevention, preventive work with children and adolescents, and the support service system for victims. A particularly valuable aspect was learning about the cooperation between state, municipal, and non-governmental organizations to assist victims and work with perpetrators.
During the visit, five Ukrainian specialists mastered the warm grain therapy method, which they subsequently began applying in their work with children using equipment provided by the project.

Furthermore, two training and monitoring visits were conducted in Ukraine. During these visits, more than 60 specialists from various fields—social services, municipalities, police, probation services, NGOs, and other institutions—gained an in-depth understanding of the forms and signs of violence, victim identification, and aid delivery. The training helped build a common understanding of GBV, reduce stereotypes, and strengthen preventive work.
These visits also bolstered the capacity of partner organizations at the local level, allowing them to participate more actively in regional initiatives and attract funding for the sustainable development of support centers. Cooperation between various institutions was improved, and a regional cooperation network was established to jointly support clients and implement new initiatives.

Meetings held in Ukraine helped further disseminate the experience of Latvia and Marta Centre, strengthen international cooperation, and expand the partner network. The need for continued support for women and children victims of war crimes was emphasized, and a deeper understanding of the vision of Ukrainian state institutions regarding future cooperation was fostered.
To ensure long-term access to essential information, Marta Centre and its partners developed 10 video materials. These videos explain basic concepts of violence, principles of organizing aid, the impact of stress, and psychological first aid in a simple and understandable way. Additionally, 15,000 "Safe and Free Life" information booklets were printed to support the work of specialists in the Chernihiv region, and a "Territory Safety Audit" booklet was developed.
To support those who provide daily assistance to others, 16 specialists were provided with regular supervision, totaling 70 individual consultations. These specialists often work in emotionally and physically demanding conditions, facing risks caused by the war.

The support centers offer various services for women and children: individual and group psychological aid, legal and speech therapy consultations, English language classes, school preparation, and premises with children's rooms to facilitate access for mothers with children. The centers also offer training and workshops that promote women’s financial independence, safety, and daily skills. It is particularly significant that women who have received help themselves later become support providers for others, leading sessions on stress management and psychological aid. This strengthens the community's capacity to recover and cooperate.
In 2024, more than 3,000 people participated in project activities. 3,091 people received individual consultations (a total of 6,190 consultations), while 2,823 people participated in group events (a total of 736 events).
The project results clearly demonstrate the vital importance of the support centers in Chernihiv and its region. This positive experience has sparked interest in other communities wishing to implement a similar approach.
Meetings with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, municipal representatives, and potential partners allowed for the identification of both needs and opportunities for further support for center development. The Ukrainian state program provides for the possibility of funding resilience centers; however, initial investments are required for premises adaptation. Consequently, Marta Centre presented this initiative to representatives from USAID, the Swedish Embassy, and other partners, initiating the resource mobilization process.
As a continuation of the project, the establishment of a Human Rights Protection Center in the Chernihiv region is planned to provide even broader and more systematic support for the observance and protection of human rights.

Project “Support for Women’s Activism in Ukraine:

Promoting 'Women, Peace, and Security' Policy. Establishing a Support System for Victims of War Crimes”
Since 2022, Marta Centre, in cooperation with Ukrainian partners, has been implementing projects aimed at strengthening the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace, and Security" at national and local levels in Ukraine.

Within the framework of these projects:

• The Ukrainian National Action Plan was updated, and legislative changes were introduced, including a draft law on victim status providing broader support and rehabilitation for victims of war crimes.

• Locally adapted "Women, Peace, and Security" action plans were implemented in 13 regions.

• A draft law was developed regarding the mandatory involvement of civil society organizations in municipal security workgroups.

• An integrated aid system for victims of sexual violence during armed conflict was introduced in the Zakarpattia region, along with a service guide for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

• 872 specialists from the State Social Service across all regions of Ukraine were trained.

• Guidelines for the police on communicating with people with disabilities who have suffered from violence were developed.

• Supervision and psychological support were provided to 24 women activists and security sector employees.

• Mobile group mentors provided support to 19 women victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

• Recommendations were provided for 16 legal acts in three priority areas: local-level security planning, improvement of local 1325 plans, and strengthening the legal status of victims.
   

The project was implemented with the support of the Republic of Latvia state budget, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA).
Expanding the Partner Network in Ukraine and Establishing Resilience Centers
Since 2022, Marta Centre has worked closely with Ukrainian NGOs, providing support for crisis situations, organizational strengthening, and social activities. The partner network has expanded significantly—from 4 organizations in 2022 to 7 partners in various Ukrainian regions in 2024.

Partner organizations have organized:

• Support measures for the physical and emotional well-being of teams;

• Burnout prevention workshops;

• Procurement of backup power supply equipment, computers, and software;

• Coverage of rent and utility costs;

• Training on gender-based violence and leadership skills for women and girls. This cooperation resulted in improved organizational structure, teamwork, and the emotional health of activists.
   

Additionally, individual and group psychosocial support measures for women and children were organized in the city of Svaliava:

• Psychological and legal consultations;

• English language courses;

• Art therapy and child development sessions. In total, 58 people received support. This resulted in improved emotional well-being, better stress management, and the integration of IDPs with the local population.

Furthermore, a medical plate was purchased for an operation for an activist wounded in Kherson, and additional training costs were covered for a clinical psychologist providing support to persons affected by war.
In 2025, the establishment of two resilience centers is planned in the Honcharivske and Kulykivka territorial communities of the Chernihiv region. Plans include renovating premises, organizing a study visit to Latvia, and providing training for center specialists, as well as conducting training visits in Ukraine.

“Marta Centre Ukraine”
On April 29, 2025, the public organization “Marta Centre Ukraine” was registered. It will promote the development of partner initiatives and the transfer of best practices within the Ukrainian context. The first project, “Support for Women and Children Affected by War,” will be implemented in cooperation with “Eleos-Chernihiv” and with financial support from Marta Centre.