EU, UNDP, and the Netherlands facilitate establishment of new veteran spaces in Sumy Oblast

The European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, and the Netherlands have supported the launch of two veteran spaces in the Krolevets and Konotop communities in Sumy Oblast of Ukraine, as part of the EU4Recovery project. 

The budget for the two projects is around €46,500. Both spaces are established at the local social services centres.

In the Krolevets community, the multifunctional space integrates a consultation area for social services, an art café with a mini-stage, a workshop, and a rehabilitation equipment rental station. Veterans and their families benefit from psychological support and participate in sports activities and cultural exhibitions. In its first four months of operation, the space has engaged over 500 participants.

In the Konotop community, the veteran space was damaged by Russian shelling in September 2024. The EU4Recovery programme allocated additional funding for its restoration. The facility is now fully equipped with areas for psychological support, advisory services, and wellness activities. It regularly hosts training sessions, veteran-oriented events, and community awareness campaigns.

“Veteran reintegration can only be effective when it is anchored at the community level,” said Stefan Schleuning, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “These hubs will provide veterans with a range of services, helping in their return to civilian life.”

The flagship EU-UNDP partnership ‘EU4Recovery – Empowering Communities in Ukraine’ aims to strengthen resilience and early recovery of war-affected communities in selected target areas of Ukraine.

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Press release