Educational and Psychosocial Support for Children and Youth

According to UNICEF (as of February 2025), approximately 7.5 million children are at extreme risk for their mental health. They have experienced violence, loss of loved ones or other traumatic events that affect their mental health and development.

In addition, many children are in need of educational support, as two-thirds of children in Ukraine continue to attend some or all of their schooling online. Many schools are damaged or closed, teachers are absent, and educational materials are in short supply.

Furthermore, the war and online education mean that children have limited opportunities to participate in social activities. Social isolation affects not only the children, but the whole family. The need for social interaction is therefore acute.

The aim of our children’s project is to reduce educational disparities among war-affected children by improving their literacy and numeracy skills. The project also promotes the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and young people affected by conflict. A vibrant social environment helps children and parents cope with traumatic experiences. The target group includes both internally displaced children and war-affected children from Dnipro.

The children’s centre in Dnipro, built by the Ukrainian organisation Angels of Salvation (AoS) in 2023, serves as a meeting place. LIBERECO supported the project from the beginning. The centre is designed as an open educational space, offering children a protected environment in which they can learn, play, interact and receive psychosocial support. Children can participate in therapeutic activities, such as art therapy, and receive support with school-related issues. Parents can meet in peer-to-peer support groups to discuss current challenges and strategies.

As part of our psychosocial programme, we have closely monitored the development of the centre, in particular supporting the training of staff in dealing with traumatised children.

Your donation will help sustain and expand the work of the Children’s Centre in Dnipro, enabling many more war-affected children to receive educational and psychosocial support. Your donation counts!