The project “HOME – Hub for Education Opportunities and Mutual Support” has delivered multisectoral humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations living in frontline and shelling‑affected areas of Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Kherson oblasts in Ukraine.
Implemented from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026, the project focused on restoring access to essential services for children and vulnerable adults in some of the most impacted regions of the country.
Funded by the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF) by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and implemented in partnership with local NGOs Wanted Here and Blagomay, the HOME project adopted a community‑based approach to address urgent needs in Education, Child Protection, and General Protection.
Community centers as hubs for integrated services
At the core of the project was the establishment of six Community Centers, designed as safe and accessible hubs for children, families, and individuals affected by conflict. Each center was equipped with Temporary Learning Spaces (TLSs) and Child‑Friendly Spaces (CFSs), and complemented by Mobile Teams to ensure outreach to people unable to reach static services.
Through this integrated model, HOME provided coordinated educational and protection support tailored to local needs, with a strong focus on accessibility, inclusion, and continuity of services in unstable contexts.
The testimony of Iryna Nos, psycologist in Kherson
Improved access to education for children
As a result of the project’s education activities, more than 4,200 children improved their access to safe and inclusive learning opportunities. Among them, 3,600 children benefited from catch‑up learning support, helping to address learning losses caused by displacement, interruptions in schooling, and prolonged exposure to conflict.
The Temporary Learning Spaces offered structured educational activities, psychosocially supportive environments, and age‑appropriate learning materials, enabling children to re‑engage with education in safer settings close to their communities.
Psychosocial and protection support for vulnerable groups
Alongside education interventions, the HOME project placed strong emphasis on mental health and protection. Approximately 9,700 individuals received psychosocial support, addressing stress, trauma, and emotional distress linked to ongoing hostilities and displacement.
Among the people involved around 200 women took part in a series of sessions focusing on relationships with their children and managing daily life in conflict-affected areas.
In addition, 2,400 vulnerable people, including persons with disabilities, accessed general protection services such as case management, referrals to specialized support, and financial assistance. These services aimed to reduce protection risks and improve access to essential resources for individuals facing heightened vulnerability due to conflict and socioeconomic hardship.
Reaching nearly 12,000 conflict-affected people
Overall, the HOME project reached 11,900 unique beneficiaries, contributing to improved access to essential services and reinforcing community‑based support systems in highly affected areas. By working closely with local partners and embedding services within communities, the project strengthened local capacities to respond to ongoing humanitarian needs.
Through its integrated and localized approach, HOME supported children, families, and vulnerable adults across multiple sectors, delivering assistance aligned with immediate needs and conditions on the ground in frontline oblasts of Ukraine.
Subscribe to AVSI newsletter
Sign up to receive news and information on our work in the world.