Azovstal Heart NGO and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation sign a memorandum of cooperation with the Kamianske community as part of the Veteran and Community project
The Azovstal Heart NGO and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation have signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Kamianske community as part of the Veteran and Community project to strengthen systematic support for veterans.
Together with Bucha, Kamianske has become one of the pilot communities participating in the initiative implemented by Azovstal Heart at the initiative of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation in partnership with America's Warrior Partnership and the Kyiv School of Economics. The project's goal is to create an educational model for municipalities based on an analysis of Ukrainian veteran programmes, American experience and Azovstal Heart's expertise in supporting veterans, helping communities work effectively with those who defended Ukraine.
The initiative focuses on introducing systematic approaches to support in the areas of mental health, education, employment and social reintegration.
"As part of the pilot project, we will collect and systematise the best practices of the communities we work with. When our American partners from AWP visited Kamianske, they were impressed by how far the city had advanced in developing veteran policy and creating opportunities for veterans' reintegration. They analysed this experience, provided their recommendations and shared the best American practices, which we will adapt to Ukrainian realities. We are convinced that this pilot project will become the foundation for scaling up successful solutions across the country. This is especially important for smaller communities, which often lack sufficient resources or expertise. They will receive ready-to-use tools and strategies to create decent conditions for veterans to return to and integrate into their communities,” said Ksenia Sukhova, CEO of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.
Working with communities is a continuation of Azovstal Heart's systematic efforts in the field of veterans' post-traumatic growth. While the post-traumatic growth programmes work directly with veterans, cooperation with communities creates the environment in which such growth becomes possible.
"Post-traumatic growth does not happen in a vacuum. It is only possible when the community is ready to welcome veterans, support their development and create opportunities for them. That is why we work with municipalities — to help them build modern, veteran-centred policies. Our task is not to replace the state but to share our expertise and jointly develop effective solutions that can be scaled up nationwide," said Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Azovstal Heart.
The cooperation includes the development and delivery of educational programmes for community representatives, analytical support, and the implementation of practical tools for engaging with veterans.
"Veteran policy is one of our city's highest priorities. We are developing veteran spaces, providing rehabilitation for our veterans, and expanding sports and other programmes. We are doing everything possible to help veterans returning from the combat zone reintegrate into civilian life," said Andrii Bilousov, Mayor of Kamianske.
Azovstal Heart emphasises that communities are the key level at which veterans return to civilian life. That is why building a network of veteran-centred communities is an important step towards creating a comprehensive veteran policy in Ukraine.
