From needs to solutions: how Child-Friendly Spaces are helping children and families in Kryvyi Rih Raion cope with the effects of war

Just a few months ago, six-year-old Adelina KHOLODOK struggled to pronounce certain sounds and communicate confidently with other children. Today, she eagerly looks forward to every session at her local Child-Friendly Space. Like her, the Dovhan family — raising three children — has found essential support through these spaces, benefiting from both psychosocial services and material assistance. Their stories illustrate how the Support for recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project is helping children and families cope with the lasting effects of war.

The stories of Adelina and the Dovhan family are among more than a thousand experiences of children and families who have already received support through the Child-Friendly Spaces established across Kryvyi Rih Raion as part of the Support for recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, in partnership with Proman and NDI.

The need for such spaces was clear. A study conducted among children, parents and educators in Kryvyi Rih Raion revealed that the effects of war continue to significantly impact children's emotional well-being. One in four children reported sleep-related difficulties, while many experienced anxiety, fatigue and learning challenges. Adolescents emerged as a particularly vulnerable group, frequently reporting exhaustion, social withdrawal, and a need for safe environments where they could connect with peers and continue their personal development. At the same time, more than one-third of children had never sought support, even when they needed it.

The research also highlighted a strong demand from local communities for safe spaces where children and their families could access psychological and social support. In response, a network of Child-Friendly Spaces was established across Kryvyi Rih and the surrounding communities under the name VSE.SVIT (“Universe” in English).

Today, the network includes 14 Child-Friendly Spaces operating in Kryvyi Rih and across the raion. One additional space is planned to open by the end of the year within a new veterans’ hub currently under construction in Kryvyi Rih.

VSE.SVIT spaces provide safe and inclusive environments for children of all ages and their families. Each space is staffed by child psychologists, psychologists for adults, and case managers who help families address the effects of prolonged stress and connect them with the support they need. Children can participate in individual consultations, group sessions, creative workshops and other developmental activities. Parents have access to psychological support, parenting guidance and assistance in navigating challenging life situations. When needed, case managers also facilitate access to additional social and humanitarian services.

Although only 6 spaces were operational as of May, they had already reached 1,010 children — 523 girls and 487 boys. An additional 263 parents participated in consultations, support groups and other activities designed for adults. In June, the network expanded to 14 spaces, significantly increasing access to psychosocial support services for children and families across the region.

For Adelina, the Child-Friendly Space became a place where she could overcome communication difficulties and receive the support she needed to thrive. She has been attending VSE.SVIT since its opening. In response to her speech challenges, the team arranged support from a speech therapist, while participation in group activities helped her broaden her social interactions and build confidence among her peers.

Over time, both her family and the professionals working with her noticed meaningful progress. Adelina became more open in communication, more comfortable expressing herself and more engaged in interactions with other children. According to her mother, she not only enjoys every activity at the space but has also become noticeably more confident and mature.

The support provided through the VSE.SVIT network extends far beyond individual children. It embraces the entire family and helps create a more stable and nurturing environment for children's development.

This was the experience of the Dovhan family, who are raising three children — Anastasiia, Anna and Bohdan. The children actively participated in group activities, creative workshops and recreational events organised by the space. The older children, in particular, enthusiastically engaged with their peers and explored new forms of creativity and self-expression.

These activities offered a valuable opportunity to step away from daily stress, experience positive emotions and feel supported by both peers and adults. Over time, the children became more open, active and confident in group settings. The positive impact extended to the entire family, fostering a better home environment, stronger mutual understanding and more positive interactions.

At the same time, the space’s team helped the family access additional forms of support. Specialists provided information about available social and humanitarian assistance programmes and connected the family with organisations supporting households with children. As a result, the family was able to receive clothing, footwear, school supplies and other essential items for the children.

The stories of Adelina and the Dovhan family illustrate the approach at the heart of VSE.SVIT. These Child-Friendly Spaces are more than venues for consultations or recreational activities; they are part of a broader community-based psychosocial support system designed in response to the real needs of children, parents and educators.

In communities where war continues to affect everyday life, access to quality psychological and social support is just as important as rebuilding physical infrastructure. This is why the development of the VSE.SVIT network represents an investment not only in the well-being of individual children, but also in the resilience of communities and their capacity to recover.

For more than a thousand children across Kryvyi Rih Raion, that support is already making a difference. As the network continues to expand, many more families will have the opportunity to access the care, guidance and safe spaces they need to move forward.

The Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, in partnership with Proman and NDI.