Project kick-off event in Ukraine. — © NLLPD, 2024

Ukraine Pooled Fund

In January 2023, joint members of both Start Network and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) approached the former regarding a DEC commissioned report on local humanitarian action in Ukraine. This report highlighted that less than 1% of humanitarian contributions were transferred directly to local and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Ukraine.

The DEC Members specifically wanted to explore a recommendation made in the report that proposed the establishment of a new pooled fund, accessible to local and national actors, with reduced, and tiered, due diligence requirements in Ukraine. The DEC seed-funded a project to resource this recommendation and develop a local pooled fund.

The National Network of Local Philanthropy Development acted as the host of the local pooled fund with day-to-day responsibility for implementing the initiative. This fund aimed to increase the amount of humanitarian funding to local and national actors, resulting in locally led humanitarian action reaching people in need.

Supported Initiatives

Responding to the critical situation of IDPs and affected local population by promoting food security and improving living conditions

Supported organisations: Charitable Fund, Caritas Donetsk

Project location: Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Region

Project description:

This project provides support to the most vulnerable groups among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the local population.

The project consists of two key components:

Supporting the operation of a charitable kitchen at Caritas Donetsk
Installing recuperation systems in three collective centers for IDPs in accordance with CMU Resolution No. 930.

Conservation and restoration of housing in Kherson region

Supported organisations: Charitable Fund, Peaceful Sky of Kharkiv

Project location: Kherson region

Project description:

The project aims to conserve and rapidly restore residential buildings damaged due to military actions in the Kherson region. The primary goal is to prevent further destruction, ensure safe living conditions, and facilitate the return of residents to their homes through urgent repair work and community support.

Protection and comprehensive assistance for vulnerable groups in Donetsk region

Supported organisation: Helping Hands

Project locations: Donetsk region (Kramatorsk gromada, Sloviansk gromada, Sviatohirsk gromada, Oleksandrivka gromada, Bilozerka gromada, Novodonetsk gromada, Cherkasy gromada)

Project description:

This project is focused on providing comprehensive protection and assistance to vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons and those affected by war. It enhances mobility and access to medical, administrative, social, and evacuation services while also offering humanitarian aid. A total of 500 people will receive support.

Support for the operation of "Vulyky" educational centers and the psycho-emotional well-being of local children in communities affected by Russian aggression

Supported organisations: International Charitable Foundation, SAVED

Project locations:

Mykolaiv region (Vysunskyi Lyceum, Bereznehuvate Cultural Center, Chervonodolynskyi Lyceum, Novohryhorivska Gymnasium, Halytsynivskyi Lyceum, Horokhivskyi Lyceum, Berezanskyi Lyceum, Voznesensk)
Kharkiv region (Merefa Lyceum No. 3, Derhachi Lyceum No. 3)
Kyiv region (Bohdanivka)

Project objectives:

Ensuring the operation of 11 "Vulyky" educational spaces for children in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions.
Educational support through modern teaching methods and technology.
Psycho-emotional assistance via training sessions and activities to reduce stress and aid adaptation.

Emergency hygiene assistance for vulnerable groups

Supported organisation: Helping Hands

Project locations: Donetsk region (Kramatorsk gromada, Sloviansk gromada, Sviatohirsk gromada, Oleksandrivka gromada, Bilozerka gromada, Dobropillia gromada, Novodonetsk gromada)

Project description:

Due to the suspension of WASH funding in Ukraine by USAID, humanitarian aid for vulnerable groups has sharply declined. This has led to a critical shortage of hygiene products (diapers, urological pads, disposable sheets, etc.) in Donetsk Region.

The project aims to urgently address hygiene needs for 250 individuals from the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, persons with limited mobility, and those with chronic illnesses in frontline communities.