Nurturing our Network: Ukrainian NGOs and Razom

Published: February 16, 2025

Like so many organizations serving Ukraine before February 2022, Razom could not have predicted Ukraine would be operating under sustained military assault for so long, fighting for its survival and doing so under the most extraordinary circumstances. But if asked to make any prediction at that time, it would have been that one should never underestimate the determination and courage of Ukrainian civil society.

After all, it was by the power of its example that Razom was founded in 2014 after the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. That’s why strengthening and expanding our partnerships with grassroots organizations, who know the needs of their communities better than anyone, has been one of Razom’s key strategies in addressing humanitarian and recovery efforts since the full-scale invasion.

In three years, we’ve worked with over 200 local NGOs and granted $11.4M to support projects in humanitarian aid, renewal and renovation, provision of clean water and energy, household farming, children’s STEM education, reskilling and upskilling programs, and much more. But by 2023, Razom understood that for these hyperlocal and innovative solutions to challenges faced by war-affected communities to persist, Ukraine’s civil society organizations would need greater resources for their own sustainable development. That’s how the Razom Sylnishi project (“Stronger Together” in Ukrainian) was born.

This initiative aims to support the organizational capacity-building of Ukrainian NGOs. Less than 5% of financing goes directly to projects run by these types of organizations. The community of grantees we built through Razom Relief, revealed that 75% of our grantees named a lack of financing as their main problem, while 39% pointed to a lack of qualified personnel, and 30% the lack of long-term strategy. Through Razom Syl’nishi we are:

• Providing organizational grants and mentorship to raise the standards of professionalism, transparency, and cooperation between NGOs

• Organizing training and education in topics most important for organizational development

• Hosting an annual conference (since 2023) to inspire and connect a powerful coalition of civil society and community organizations

• Convening regular online meetings for grantees

All of this activity ensures that Ukrainian NGOs are on an accelerated path towards sustainable development, able to serve their communities now and in the long-term.

In 2024, Razom Sylnishi supported 16 organizations from our network with organizational grants. Thanks to these grants, they were able to strengthen their organizations, attract new donors, and launch new projects.

This year, as part of Razom Relief’s overall investments, another $1.8M has been earmarked to ensure that local NGOs have the support they need – both in getting effective projects funded and in strengthening their organizational development.

Indeed, a second wave of organizational grants and mentoring support will open to NGOs across Ukraine that work in the areas corresponding to our mission. These grants are targeted towards improving fundraising capacity. Applications are due March 8, 2025 with grant awards announced on April 8, 2025.

As Ukrainians continue to deal with the consequences of Russia’s unlawful, brutal invasion, and the U.S. shifts its policy toward foreign aid precipitated by USAID disruptions, we have a unique opportunity to address the need. Razom has been able to contribute to building a network of more robust CSOs over the course of its history only because of the generosity of our donors. Your gift to Razom today can have an immediate impact in ensuring this work continues.

Thank you!

Powering Ukraine Through a Complicated Winter

Published: December 17, 2024

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure has been a primary target. This past year has brought a deliberate intensification of attacks on energy facilities, with Russia launching daily strikes against power grids and substations across the country. By now, more than 50% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed, leaving millions of Ukrainians without reliable electricity or heat during the coldest months.

Against this backdrop, Razom has stepped up with solutions tailored to meet urgent needs. Through the Razom Relief program, we delivered 30 charging stations and 13 high-capacity generators to civil society organizations and Razom grantees, ensuring they can continue their life-saving and community-building work.

Charging stations and generators provide the power to sustain education, healthcare, and shelter for displaced families. They enable public spaces and shelters to operate, even in areas heavily affected by Russian violence.

For example, the Korsakiv Center for Contemporary Ukrainian Art in Lutsk, which houses up to 100 internally displaced persons, uses the charging station we provided to power their educational center during the day, and their shelter at night.

Meanwhile, NGO “Platform Ednannia” in Zmiiv, Kharkiv region, now supports approximately 171 people with a fully functioning public space, thanks to the charging station it received.

As temperatures drop, the stakes become higher. The charging stations and generators Razom has delivered are used to not only power lights and phones but also to heat water, cook meals, and provide medical support. In Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovsk region, a temporary shelter equipped with Razom’s charging station now serves as a sanctuary for older adults and children, offering warmth and a chance to recharge both their devices and their spirits.

Despite these hardships, the Ukrainian people persist. Every charging station, every generator is a reminder that even in the face of relentless attacks, Ukrainians find ways to carry on with life.

Your continued support makes this possible. Together, we’ve invested nearly $75,000 into equipment that directly supports communities in need—assisting everyday people l and enabling hope to thrive, even during the darkest days of winter.

Thank you for standing with Ukraine and Razom. Your generosity ensures that light, warmth, and resilience do not flag in the face of adversity.

Sources:
Kyiv Independent
Politico
Razom for Ukraine Grantee Reports

Razom for Ukraine: A Season of Giving

Published: December 2, 2024

This holiday season, join us in supporting families in Ukraine who are healing from the impacts of war and working to build a brighter future. Ukrainians have shown remarkable strength, and with your help, they can continue contributing their talents and energy to a better tomorrow.

Your support is giving new life to families experiencing trauma and loss. The immense resilience and determination of Ukrainians inspire us, and we at Razom remain fully committed to supporting Ukraine’s victory.

At the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Svitlana Rosadkina lived in Severodonetsk, a city in the Luhansk region in Eastern Ukraine, with her husband, young son, and parents. She and her family were forced to move into basements crowded with other people and animals, often going without gas, electricity, or water for days, making it impossible to wash or cook food. When her parents became ill with COVID-19, the city’s hospitals and ambulances were no longer functioning, and only four pharmacies in the entire city remained open—and sporadically, at that. Svitlana waited in the cold for hours to get her parents’ medicine, sometimes under heavy shelling.

“I shouted to people to lie down on the floor and cover their heads with their hands … you didn’t know if you’d make it home alive. Every time you went to the pharmacy or the store, you couldn’t tell your relatives what time you’d return.”

With the help of friends, Svitlana and her family evacuated to Dnipro, enduring nine hours of driving under constant fire. The bombed-out cities they passed remain etched forever in her memory.

After months of surviving extreme conditions and helping her son cope with unimaginable stress, Svitlana found herself emotionally depleted and numb. She participated in the “Recovery During the War” program organized by the NGO VAAD and supported by Razom. This intensive psychological rehabilitation program supports women and their children who have endured occupation, heavy shelling, or devastating personal losses due to the war.

Since May 2022, “Recovery During the War” has held 114 program sessions, helping 1,620 families—or 3,575 individuals, including 1,882 children. In 2024, Razom Relief provided $90,000 in grants, funding nine sessions of this life-changing initiative.

“I joined the program hoping to recover to the person I was before the war. I not only recovered but … my family was amazed by the changes in me. After the program, I felt life again.”

For millions of Ukrainians suffering from deprivation, trauma, and loss, programs like these offer hope and essential coping skills. Thousands remain on the “Recovery During the War” waitlist.

Your generous support can help us continue programs that save and transform lives like Svitlana’s. Together, we can help Ukrainians heal and rebuild.

Donate today and be part of Ukraine’s recovery and growth!

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference

Published: November 23, 2024

The Razom Syl’nishi (Razom Stronger) 2.0 Conference has once again brought together a powerful coalition of civil society, business, and community organizations in Kyiv, with a shared vision of building a more resilient Ukraine.

Over two days, more than 100 participants from across Ukraine came together to explore how to tackle urgent humanitarian needs, support local communities, and reinforce Ukraine’s civic sector through Razom’s work.

Razom Relief network of partners unites Ukrainian NGOs that work in Ukrainian communities on projects in the area of rebuilding, child protection, providing humanitarian aid and shelter, evacuations and other.

Here’s what stood out at this year’s event:

Collaborative Panels and Workshops: Sessions focused on partnership best practices among nonprofits, businesses, and local communities, with speakers sharing successful examples and new approaches for overcoming social challenges. We welcomed speakers from “hromadas” (communities) from Kherson Kharkiv, Lviv, Kamenets Podislky and other regions,
Key Program Presentations: Leaders of Razom’s programs — Advocacy, Heroes, Health, and Relief — highlighted their latest initiatives, including humanitarian aid, mental health services, and veteran support for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Training and sharing of experience – we provided training session in fundraising and shared Razom’s experience in managing logistics
Facilitated Networking Sessions: Participants engaged in discussions on the most pressing issues such as fundraising, working with government, running different types of projects and shared solutions for maximizing the impact of local organizations.

Most importantly, the conference provided space for networking and informal sharing of experience between our partner organizations.

Razom is committed to supporting cooperation and networking among our grantees.

The conference concluded with actionable plans for deepening inter-organizational collaboration and scaling efforts to support local communities across Ukraine. Participants left with fresh perspectives, new connections, and a shared commitment to making a difference in Ukraine.

Together, we make Ukraine stronger.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Empowering Civil Society: Highlights from Razom and UCU’s Summer School on Organizational Development

Published: November 5, 2024

In mid-August, Razom for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) launched a transformative Summer School on organizational development, drawing civil society leaders from across Ukraine to Lviv for a week-long program aimed at bolstering their organizations during these critical times. Held from August 11 to 17, 2024, this initiative brought together a diverse array of dedicated leaders from all corners of Ukraine, each focused on creating positive, lasting impacts within their communities amid the challenges of war.

The participants came from organizations committed to:

Delivering humanitarian aid to frontline and recently de-occupied areas
Coordinating evacuations for civilians in conflict zones near the front line
Supporting families with children, organizing extracurricular and recreational activities
Assisting families of fallen soldiers
Advancing educational development efforts
Preserving cultural heritage and celebrating regional cultures
Assisting frontline healthcare institutions under wartime conditions
Offering psychological support for frontline communities, families in crisis, and internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Promoting women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and supporting women during the war
Shaping youth policy at the local level
Developing entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans and IDPs

A Unique Selection Process for a Diverse Group

Razom selected participants through an open call, carefully choosing five grantees with a focus on diversity. The selection criteria included gender balance, a range of activities and experiences, and varying team sizes. This diversity fostered a dynamic environment where participants could learn from one another, establish new networks, and explore partnerships that will extend well beyond the Summer School.

Learning, Networking, and Strategic Development

During the week, participants attended sessions on organizational policies, strategies, partnership building, communications, and fundraising. Special guest speakers—including historians, political scientists, and contemporary thought leaders—were also invited to offer broader perspectives, enriching the learning experience and reinforcing participants’ motivations to serve their communities and contribute to Ukraine’s future.

Feedback from participants reflects the program’s lasting impact:

“I’ve already started applying what I learned and sharing it with my team.”
“This training changed my approach—I now work more strategically and with greater clarity.”
“Since the Summer School, we’ve launched three new projects and drafted an operational plan.”
“It was inspiring to be among such experienced and passionate community leaders.”
“The atmosphere was welcoming, and we’ve stayed connected, sharing insights and ideas.”

One participant’s message captured the essence of the program’s transformative effect:

“I want to thank Razom for Ukraine for organizing this program. Since the Summer School, our team has undergone transformations in communications, fundraising, and strategy. You achieved your goal!”

Looking Forward: New Opportunities for Summer School Graduates

Since August, Razom has been working to create follow-up opportunities for Summer School graduates. Plans include mentorship programs and grants for institutional support, providing these leaders with additional resources to strengthen their organizations. By nurturing the growth of Ukraine’s civil society, Razom and UCU are helping build a future where local organizations are equipped to meet the needs of their communities, paving the way for a resilient Ukraine.

With these new programs in place, the legacy of the Summer School will continue to inspire and empower civil society leaders to forge ahead with confidence, resilience, and unity.

Together, we are building a brighter future for Ukrainians through education and support.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Building Ukraine Together: Empowering Communities and Creating Safe Spaces

Published: October 22, 2024

As the war in Ukraine continues, grassroots initiatives are proving to be indispensable for community resilience and support. One such initiative is the NGO “Building Ukraine Together” (BUR), a longtime Razom partner, which is dedicated to empowering local communities through volunteer camps. Before launching these camps, BUR organizes a training school for teams who will lead local activities in collaboration with the organization. Recently, teams from three communities—Lypova Dolyna, Ladany, and Velyka Severynivka—gathered for several days of intensive lectures and workshops designed to prepare them for their roles.

Supported by Razom, BUR’s volunteer camps play a crucial role in restoring communities and empowering local volunteers. The training sessions emphasize essential skills such as volunteer management, effective communication, community engagement, team coordination, and resource identification.

A Community’s Vision: Yulia’s Story

Among the participants was Yulia, a representative from the Ladany community in the Chernihiv region. She successfully organized a team and applied to host a BUR camp with the aim of establishing a youth center in their community, which has become a haven for many displaced people fleeing Russian aggression.

Yulia expressed her motivation:

“I wanted to show our youth and our community that, with collective effort, we can achieve things we never dreamed of before.”

As the BUR camp unfolded, local residents actively engaged in the process, transforming their environment while also fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their community.

For Yulia’s team, this volunteer camp marked their first experience in organizing such an event. While they had previously participated in other projects, this challenge brought new learning opportunities.

Yulia reflected, “Everything was new to us—how to set up the camps, what their purpose is, and what the daily schedule looks like. The school helped us understand all of this. We also learned some team building games, like ‘Ladder,’ which helps teach us how to listen and ask the right questions. I work in the local government, so I’ve already started using these techniques at work.”

So far, two BUR camp sessions have successfully taken place in the Ladany community. The training school has significantly strengthened the team, streamlined the organizational process, and, most importantly, taught them how to engage people of all ages in community life.

Overcoming Fear: Bohdana’s Journey in Sumy

Another inspiring story comes from the recent BUR volunteer camp held in Lypova Dolyna, Sumy region, located just about 50 miles from the Russian border and is currently under regular attack. Here, volunteers worked together to create a bomb shelter, demonstrating their commitment to safety and community support. One volunteer, Bohdana, traveled over 500 miles from Zakarpattia to be part of this effort.

Bohdana shared her initial apprehensions:

“I was really stressed—it was a new city and my first camp—but I decided to join because I wanted to finally experience the BUR community vibe. The BUR team took the security aspects very seriously—checking air raid alerts, organizing shelter drills—and it almost felt like I wasn’t in Sumy, but somewhere much farther from the front line. I was scared I wouldn’t be helpful in construction. You know, when you first go to a camp, you feel like you don’t know anything about building and maybe you should just stay home. But with BUR, learning is fun and easy. Before you know it, you’re plastering walls like you’ve done it a hundred times.”

The first session of the BUR camp in Lypova Dolyna has already concluded, resulting in the creation of a shelter that will serve both as a refuge during air raids and a safe event space for the community. Bohdana not only contributed to a significant project but also formed lasting connections with fellow volunteers, making this experience a cherished memory.

This volunteer camp in Lypova Dolyna was made possible with the support of Razom for Ukraine.

Through initiatives like BUR, communities in Ukraine are finding strength and hope in each other, creating safe spaces and fostering resilience amid adversity. By empowering local leaders and volunteers, organizations like Razom and BUR are helping to build a brighter future for Ukraine. Thank you for your support!

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief.

Razom for Ukraine Named in Forbes Ukraine’s Top 10 List of Nonprofits

Published: September 25, 2024

We’re proud to announce that Forbes Ukraine has ranked Razom for Ukraine 8th in its list of the Top 50 nonprofit organizations in Ukraine for 2023. This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts in providing humanitarian aid, supporting Ukraine’s civil society, and promoting Ukrainian culture worldwide.

Since the full-scale invasion, Razom has grown from an all-volunteer organization of dedicated activists to a community of 222,000+ supporters around the world. Together, we’ve delivered vital medical supplies, communication gear, evacuation transport, and more to Ukrainian heroes.

Our work spans five key areas:

Heroes: Delivering life-saving aid to first responders and frontline medics.

Health: Strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare system to serve people now and after victory.

Relief: Investing in grassroots NGOs that supply aid to vulnerable communities.

Advocacy: Advancing legislation and policy for Ukraine’s victory.

Connect: Promoting the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices through education, volunteering, and the arts.

We are honored to be recognized for our impact during such a critical time and remain committed to supporting Ukraine. Every donation brings us closer to a stronger, democratic Ukraine.

Join us today and support our mission!

Razom Relief: From Summer to School

Published: September 18, 2024

As the school year begins and autumn approaches, we reflect on the impact of Razom Relief’s initiatives that have provided needed support, healthcare, and educational opportunities to children and communities across Ukraine. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, many have had the chance to rest, rejuvenate, and engage in activities that foster growth and resilience. We’re excited to share inspiring stories from those who have benefited from Razom’s grants and how these initiatives have helped prepare them for the new season and school year.

Center for Psychological and Humanitarian Support in the Chernivtsi Region

The Center for Psychological and Humanitarian Support (CPHS) for internally displaced people in Vyzhnytsia, Chernivtsi region, has been running several successful projects, including a social enterprise:a bakery. Razom is proud to partner with CPHS on a second joint project that has once again exceeded all expectations.

With a grant from Razom, the center sponsored a summer camp where children immersed themselves in adventures and learning, acquiring essential skills like orienteering, fire-starting, pitching tents, and cooking over open flames. The camp taught them teamwork, mutual support, and responsibility. The unforgettable experiences—new friendships, night hikes with flashlights, and laughter around campfires—served as a test of resilience and a perfect preparation for the new school year.

Creating Opportunities in Poltava

The NGO Sustainable Development Platform Perspective in the Poltava region, with Razom’s support, established a community center that has become a hub for children and youth. This space aims to empower young people by providing new knowledge, building connections, and fostering youth activism. Guided by mentors, the youth developed operational regulations and a strategic plan for the center’s growth in 2024-2025.

In just two months, the project reached over 2,500 people and hosted more than 60 events, including training sessions, workshops, physical activities, and community-building excursions, offering much-needed emotional relief and skill development.

Ukraine South Liberty: A Lifeline in Chornomorsk

In the southern regions, the Ukraine South Liberty organization in Chornomorsk, Odesa region, worked tirelessly to support children’s health and well-being. With a grant from Razom, they launched two critical projects: an IDP (Internally Displaced People) center and a children’s center. The IDP center offers services like career counseling, psychological support, IT training, and cultural events, while the children’s center focuses on holistic development through activities promoting inclusivity, gender equality, and psychological well-being.

Building Ukraine Together Youth Camp in the North

Supported by a Razom grant, Building Ukraine Together (BUR) gathered young participants from across Ukraine to aid in infrastructure restoration, create spaces for learning and connection, and support internally displaced persons. At the BUR camp in Ladanska, Chernihiv region, young people worked to build a youth center, helping the community recover from occupation and fostering a sense of hope and renewal.

As we embrace the fall season, these stories of readiness for the new school year and the positive impact of Razom’s grants remind us of the power of community and the difference we can make together. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors—your continued support sustains these efforts, bringing hope and renewal to countless lives.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Razom Relief!

Razom Volunteers Targeted in Airstrikes While Delivering Aid in Sumy Region

Published: September 13, 2024

On the morning of September 13, Razom’s volunteers came under heavy airstrikes while delivering humanitarian aid to Yampil Hospital in the Sumy region. As they were unloading supplies, two air-dropped bombs (KABs) exploded just 100 meters from the hospital. Thankfully, the volunteers and hospital staff escaped serious injury. However, the hospital’s windows were shattered, and vehicles, along with the much-needed aid, were damaged by shrapnel.

Immediately after the attack, the hospital began receiving injured civilians, mainly women, children, and the elderly. Under extremely difficult conditions, the medical staff provided urgent care, even relocating to the hospital’s basement for safety.

Yampil, located just 7 miles from the Russian border, has been enduring nearly daily airstrikes, according to local residents.

In response to the worsening situation in Sumy and nearby regions, Razom for Ukraine launched an emergency program to supply hospitals in Sumy with essential medications, orthopedic equipment, and other critical materials. With today’s delivery to Yampil and previous deliveries to Sumy, Khotin, Shostka, and Hlukhiv, Razom has now provided nearly 10 tons of humanitarian aid, valued at $200,000.

Razom needs your help!

Innocent Ukrainians and volunteers are being targeted while delivering humanitarian aid. Let’s also remember the recent Red Cross tragedy on September 12, where three workers lost their lives in a similar attack.

Support Razom for Ukraine to replace the damaged vehicle and continue delivering life-saving aid across Ukraine. Every contribution saves lives!

Razom Supports Ukrainian Education with Summer Mathematics School

Published: August 5, 2024

At Razom, we are committed to advancing education in Ukraine and empowering the talented youth who will shape the future. We are thrilled to share that we recently sponsored a mathematics camp for students in grades 1-7.

From June 29 to July 7, 2024, Tsyfra, a leading math club in Kyiv, hosted a mathematics school at the “Khvilya” resort, bringing together 130 enthusiastic participants. Tsyfra is renowned for its dedication to supplementary math education and cultivating scientific thinking among young people. Their program covers math, mathematical logic, physics, natural science, and chess through a variety of learning methods, including study groups, lectures, seminars, and games.

This summer’s school was the culmination of two months of intensive planning and preparation by teachers, organizers, and Tsyfra’s talented team. We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for making this event possible and to the dedicated educators and organizers who worked tirelessly to bring it to life. A special thank you to all the students and their families, whose enthusiasm and participation made this camp a resounding success. We are proud to have sponsored such an inspiring event and are thankful for the opportunity to support this amazing initiative.

What Parents Are Saying:

Nataliya Vrodskaya: “Thank you for creating a wonderful experience filled with love for children and mathematics. It was a much-needed boost for my child. We appreciate the warmth and care you put into this camp!”
Nadya Voytekho: “A huge thank you! The program was engaging, fun, and informative. This was our first experience with Tsyfra, and my son is absolutely thrilled! Everything was fantastic. You are incredible!”
Darya Ruban: “As always, we are delighted. We can’t wait for the fall sessions!”

Together, we are building a brighter future for Ukraine’s youth through education and support.

We invite you to learn more about Razom’s Relief Program, including Razom Ticket, and consider supporting our efforts.