Citizen Engagement in the Lugansk and Donetsk Regions

About this grant

During the past three years, the Regional Development Agency "Donbass" has been assisting Ukrainian citizens from economically depressed mining settlements in revitalizing their communities.Multiyear funding will enable the organization to continue facilitating the community-organizing work and strengthening the potential of community-based organizations in Stakhanov, Yenakievo, Yunokommunoarovsk and Donetsk; and selecting an additional two cities in the Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts for community-organizing activities. In addition, a two-day training workshop will be conducted for cities in western and southern Ukraine to share regional community development experiences and methods.Recent accomplishments included helping organizations in Donetsk to establish community centers, Internet clubs and several microenterprises; supporting the creation of job clubs in each community; establishing school-based information centers in 15 schools in Donetsk, Yunokommunoarovsk and Stakhanov; and organizing a roundtable that adopted a resolution to support the creation of community-based organizations and to work with them on the development of a strategic plan for the city of Stakhanov.