Maryna Tekuchova joined the ADRA Ukraine team in February 2024, assuming the position of project manager. She is telling about the project currently being implemented with the support of partners from Denmark

— Maryna, could you please tell us about the project are you currently involved in and its objectives?

— The project we are actively working on is called RSIM – Reconstruction of Social Infrastructure in Mykolaiv. It is being implemented jointly with ADRA Danmark in consortium with DanChurchAid (DCA) and supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA). The goal of this project is to restore critical social infrastructure in the region, as well as to strengthen the capacity of civil society to facilitate Ukraine’s early recovery process. The project mainly focuses on the restoration of educational institutions and bomb shelters. This is especially important now as many people are returning to their communities or seeking safer living conditions in the Mykolaiv region, including children who need access to education. The project also includes the “Support of Community Initiatives” Program, which aims to consolidate efforts, enhance capacities, and support initiatives that seek to address social issues, implement their own projects to overcome crisis consequences, and promote community development and support for the most vulnerable groups.

— What is the significance of the RSIM project among other ADRA Ukraine projects? Does it carry forward the work of other projects, or is it entirely unique?

— This project plays a strategically important role for ADRA Ukraine as it continues the direction of supporting and rebuilding affected regions, which is characteristic of many ADRA initiatives, but it has a unique focus on reconstructing social infrastructure in the Mykolaiv region. The RSIM project is distinctive in its specific focus on restoring schools and bomb shelters, which are critically important for maintaining normal community life. This project also emphasizes strengthening civil society capacities, contributing to more sustainable recovery.

It’s worth mentioning that the “Support of Community Initiatives” Program in the Mykolaiv region was also implemented in other projects funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA), which have already concluded. For instance, in February 2024, ADRA Ukraine implemented the piloting phase of the “Support of Community Initiatives” Program in Mykolaiv, which provided support to 13 local public and charitable organization. For example, the “Movement of Mercy” charitable foundation reconstructed a football field at the specialized school No. 3, where children with intellectual disabilities study. The foundation leveled the football field and covered it with a special surface using its own volunteers. The funds obtained through the “Support of Community Initiatives” Program were spent solely on materials. The field’s opening took place in April. That same month, the “Common Language” creative hub was opened at branch No. 15 of the Central City Library named after M. L. Kropyvnytskyi. This hub was created by the META Charitable Foundation “From common vision to joint actions” in collaboration with the library. The hub’s work will facilitate joint leisure activities for families, psychological relief, and the development of creative abilities for children and teenagers, their parents, and library users. All of this was made possible thanks to financial assistance from DANIDA. However, as I mentioned, the current project is RSIM, supported by the same donor.

— What communities does this project cover now? What specific activities are taking place there?

— In the Mykolaiv region, most of the educational institutions we are restoring are located in the Snihurivka community of the Bashtanka district. We plan to restore a total of 7 educational institutions and 4 bomb shelters.

— Tell us more about the project team.

— I am really fortunate with the team because these people are true professionals in their field. The team involved in the restoration of social infrastructure includes engineers with many years of experience in this area. There is also a team of facilitators who stay in touch with the participants of the “Support of Community Initiatives” Program. They ensure effective interaction and coordination among all project participants, promoting the implementation of initiatives on the ground and strengthening community capacities.

— What can you say about the results of the RSIM project to date in both areas: community initiative support and infrastructure restoration?

— Regarding community initiative support, we are currently in the process of selecting initiatives that we can support. The active dissemination of information and facilitation sessions with civil society representatives in the Mykolaiv region have allowed us to receive over 100 project applications from initiative groups and non-profit organizations. The selection committee is now carefully analyzing these proposals. Within our project, we can support only 10 initiatives. To ensure transparency, we organized a series of meetings where each organization can present its project and answer additional questions. We will announce the selection results by July 15. As for the reconstruction of social infrastructure, the restoration and repair works are still ongoing, and we plan to complete the active phase before the start of the school year.