Project to support children from foster families, orphanages, or under guardianship launches in Ukraine

A large-scale project supporting children and youth who have experienced living in orphanages, with foster families, or under guardianship has launched in Ukraine. The initiative includes legal assistance, mentorship, life skills training, leadership development, and funding for social and educational projects.

Kirylo Nevdokha, head of the “DIiMO” office and ambassador of mentorship, announced the project during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“This project is called “Support for Children and Youth in Alternative Care Forms.” It’s not just about institutional care or orphanages – it also covers foster families, family-type children’s homes, guardianship, and custody. We must remember that even biological families need support. Often, we can help them overcome challenges, preventing the state from having to place children into alternative care, adoption, or institutions,” he explained.

Key components of the program include legal support for children and youth; grants for social and educational projects; the DIiMO: Life Skills program (including financial literacy); guides for soft skills development, youth participation in decision-making; mentorship for children and youth with developmental disabilities; online mentorship courses and awareness campaigns; the DIiMO: Community of Leaders platform for civic engagement and leadership growth.

“This is a major project built on partnerships. We’re grateful to the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, UNICEF, international donors, and the governments of Sweden, Germany, and the European Union, which supports our efforts to reform the child care system,” added Nevdokha.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news