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In Dnipro, a long-term torture of six children in a family-type orphanage (DBST) has been exposed. According to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office and police , the children lived for years in an atmosphere of fear, physical pain, and systemic humiliation. The facts, published in the materials of " Ukrainska Pravda " , are shocking: this was not a single outburst of anger, but a pattern of violence built up over years. However, it is important to understand the context: despite this terrible incident, family-type orphanages remain a worthy and necessary alternative to boarding schools. All over the world, boarding schools are officially recognized as places of deprivation of freedom, where torture and degradation of the personality are often part of the system itself, and not the crime of individual people. In boarding schools, the child is deprived of individuality, and violence often becomes a tool for “management” of a large group. DBST, even in crisis situations, provides for a family model, which, provided that proper control is provided, is the only chance for the child for a normal future. But the most painful question in the Dnipro case is another: How could it have lasted five years? During this time, a group of people were with the children to ensure their safety: Children's Services. They are required to conduct regular inspections and monitor living conditions. School. Teachers saw the children every day, their psychological state, and their physical appearance. Doctors: Routine examinations and treatments should reveal traces of physical impact. Social workers. Those who should provide support to the family. This case does not indicate the shortcomings of the idea of family upbringing itself, but the critical failure of control mechanisms. When inspections become a formality, and state bodies turn a blind eye to "inconvenient" signals, the system becomes an accomplice in the crime. The tragedy in Dnipro is a call for an immediate revision of how the state supervises the safety of children in all forms of upbringing. Why do children stay silent? We often assume that a child will tell us if they are in pain. But abuse is not just about hitting. It is about a complete loss of control over one's life and sense of security. A child is silent when: does not trust adults; she had already tried to speak and was not heard; afraid that it will get worse; convinced that she is to blame; lives in an environment where violence is called "upbringing." In this case, the signal appeared only when the eldest child left the system and was able to seek help. Before that, she turned to various institutions, trying to get support, but was actually not heard. Only after contacting public organizations and providing legal support by MARTIN Club, the case received procedural movement and an investigation began. This is a very revealing moment. A safe environment for a complaint arose not inside the system, but outside it. This means that the problem is not just the cruelty of specific people. The problem is in the defense mechanisms that have not worked. Formal control ≠ real security The presence of inspections does not guarantee their effectiveness, and control focused on papers does not provide security to the child. The child protection system often works reactively — after a complaint is made. But if a child doesn't have a real, safe channel to report abuse, a complaint won't come forward. And then silence is perceived as the absence of a problem. The head of the NGO MARTIN-club, Victoria Fedotova, describes this situation as follows: "Analysis of the current situation indicates the inexpediency of searching for individual culprits, the problem is the lack of timely detection of violations. The reasons for silence were institutional weakness and professional deformation and indifference of responsible persons to signals from children. The combination of these factors — from an inadequate level of qualification to a formal approach to performing duties — created an environment in which the child was left without proper protection." What needs to change — otherwise it will happen again This case cannot remain just another criminal proceeding. If we do not change our approaches, similar stories will be repeated — in another community, in another family, in another institution. After this case, at the system level it is necessary to: 1. Real independent monitoring. Not just official inspections, but mechanisms that do not depend on the same decision-making structures. 2. Regular individual conversations with children without the presence of guardians are mandatory. The child must have a guaranteed space to talk. 3. Effective complaint channels available to the child himself. Not formal "hotlines", but clear and safe tools. 4. Personal liability of officials in case of ignoring signals. Without this, control remains a formality. 5. Working with trust. The most important thing is that the system should not be punitive, but one that the child believes in. Because the main problem of this story is not only torture. The main problem is that for years the children did not believe that anyone would hear them. And if we don't create an environment in which a child knows they won't be betrayed, no amount of reform will be enough. MARTIN-club accompanies the affected children in this proceeding and represents their interests in the courts and law enforcement agencies. We provide not only legal, but also psychological support to minimize the risk of re-traumatization and help children go through this difficult process without additional pressure. Our task is to ensure that this case does not disappear in the system, and that the rights of children are truly protected.

Ukraine is on the threshold of historic changes. The issue of joining the EU is not only about customs or borders. It is, first of all, about how the state treats the most vulnerable - children. Today, the deinstitutionalization (DI) reform has become one of the key conditions for European integration. Tough EU conditionality: Ukraine Facility and the Child Rights Strategy The European Union has clearly articulated its position in the Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2021–2024): no child should be deprived of family care. For Ukraine, this means a complete rethinking of the social system. Financial aspect: There is a direct prohibition under the Ukraine Facility assistance program. Reconstruction funds cannot be used for major repairs or expansion of residential institutions. The money is allocated exclusively for: Development of inclusive services in communities. Construction of small group homes (SGB). Support for foster families and DBST (family-type children's homes). Economic absurdity: Why are boarding schools expensive? There is a myth that maintaining one large institution is cheaper than developing a network of services. Statistics and audits say the opposite. Cost analysis: 80-85% of the boarding school's budget is spent on "walls and staff": heating huge half-empty buildings, salaries of administrative staff, security, and household needs. Only 15-20% of the funds go directly to the child's needs (food, clothing, development). Cost of maintenance: According to various estimates, maintaining one child in a boarding school costs the state from 15,000 to 30,000 UAH per month, but at the end we get a graduate who is often not adapted to independent life. Instead, funding community services (day care, early intervention, social support) allows the child to remain in the biological family, which is many times cheaper for the budget and more effective for the child's future. Sabotage on the ground: Why is the system resisting? The main obstacle to reform is not a lack of funds, but a reluctance to change. Many officials and heads of institutions view boarding schools as a "city-forming enterprise" where the child is just a tool for obtaining budget allocations. "We're used to it," "where will we put the staff?", "it's better for the children there" — these are typical arguments of those who do not want to learn to work according to European standards. Experts are increasingly calling Soviet-style boarding schools "concentration camps for children" because of the systemic degradation of personality, lack of privacy, and breakdown of social ties. Continuing discussions about their "improvement" is deliberately harming children. Time to get modern There will be money. And there will be enough of it. But it will only come to those communities that: They will find the courage to admit: the old system is dead. They will involve professionals: people who want to learn to be competent managers of social services, not "supervisors." They will create conditions for inclusion: so that parents of children with disabilities do not send them to institutions out of desperation, but receive assistance close to home. European integration is a test of humanity. And we will be able to pass it only when the interests of the child become more precious than the comfort of an official who does not want to retrain. How can a community obtain funding from the EU? European donors and the Ukraine Facility are ready to invest billions in recovery, but they will not finance the “past.” To receive funds for social development, the community must demonstrate a willingness to make real changes. Step 1. Conduct a thorough audit and needs assessment It is impossible to build something new without understanding the scale of the problem. The community must clearly know: How many children from the community are in boarding schools (24/7). What are the reasons for children being placed in institutions (poverty, disability, lack of kindergarten or school). What services are families lacking in the area? Step 2. Transforming budget thinking The money should “follow the child.” Instead of maintaining huge, half-empty spaces, the community should redirect funds to: Children's services and social workers (there should be enough of them and they should be mobile). Creation of a Center for Social Services with a wide range of assistance (day care, psychologist, speech therapist). Step 3. Training and retraining of personnel This is the most difficult stage — overcoming the resistance of officials. The community must find people who want to work differently: Train boarding school teachers to work as teaching assistants in inclusive classrooms. Prepare social workers for case management (supporting a specific family in crisis). Stop discussing the "advisability" of boarding schools and start studying the European experience of family upbringing. Step 4. Development of family forms of upbringing and inclusion EU funding is prioritized for: Construction of small group homes (houses for 6-8 children, where conditions are as close as possible to family ones). Support and creation of new Family-type Children's Homes (FCH). Creating inclusive resource centers so that a child with a disability can live at home and receive assistance in the community. Step 5. Developing a strategic plan and submitting an application Donors (UNICEF, EU, World Bank) demand a clear strategy. The community must show a plan: how it plans to return children from orphanages in 2-3 years and what services it will create for this. It is important to remember: Money will come where there is a will for change. If the community holds on to an outdated boarding school to save the jobs of three administrators, it loses. If the community chooses a child, it receives European investments and a future.

Today marks four years since the start of the full-scale invasion. And twelve years of Russia's war against Ukraine. Yesterday the team worked on the topic of evacuation. It has been with us all these years. We ourselves went through evacuation in 2014. We evacuated thousands of people and are now accompanying families who are forced to leave their homes due to hostilities. Evacuation is not a one-time action, but a process: preparation, coordination, security, support after departure. And it continues every day. Today, part of the team is training with partners to become trainers on the topic of preparedness and protection in cases of conflict. We understand that knowledge and skills must be passed on - to communities, specialists, those who work on the ground. And this knowledge and skills about survival in our conditions. The war did not stop the violence. Domestic violence remains, and in conditions of stress and displacement it often intensifies. The war has added to our cases of conflict-related sexual violence. These are complex, long-term cases that last for years, regardless of the duration of the projects. This is a time of constant turbulence. At night we go down to shelters because of rocket attacks. And in the morning we go to where they have already happened - we provide first psychological aid, social support, help people who have just experienced loss or shock. The organization has grown over this time — in terms of team, geography of work, and level of expertise. This growth has occurred in very difficult circumstances. We have learned new things, restructured processes, and strengthened areas of psychological, social, and legal assistance, humanitarian response, and community work. And it is very painful that this growth has come at such a cost. Now local organizations are taking responsibility where it is needed: in communities, in crisis situations, in difficult topics that you can't turn away from. In the face of daily challenges — security, social, economic, geopolitical — you just keep doing what you can. Take care of those around you. Protect children. Support women. Help communities hold on. We continue to do our part of the work — supporting women, children, and communities, working on the prevention and consequences of violence and war, and training other professionals. We thank those who defend Ukraine. Thanks to this, we can continue to work. We can bring warmth and support to women, children, and communities. We can build a society that learns to protect and support each other even in the most difficult times.

NGO "MARTIN-club" has created three reception centers for providing free legal aid in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions within the framework of the project "Response Consortium: Providing Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations in Ukraine (2023–2026)." New legal shelters are spaces where people who have suffered from war, domestic or sexual violence can receive professional legal support, guidance and protection in situations where the system often seems complicated, closed or inaccessible. In the reception areas, MARTIN-club lawyers help prepare applications, complaints and other documents for filing with authorities, law enforcement agencies and courts. A separate focus is working with cases of domestic violence and sexual violence, including those related to conflict. In such cases, the team is not limited to consultations, but provides full support: from the first appeal to interaction with the police, prosecutor's office, social services, participation in forensic medical examinations and representation of the interests of victims in courts and other institutions. An important part of the work of the reception centers is informing people about their rights and opportunities. This includes not only the application procedures, but also access to compensation, social guarantees and other types of support, which often remain “invisible” to victims due to a lack of information or the complexity of the mechanisms. In addition to individual support, legal clinics also perform a broader function - they help collect and analyze information about cases of violence. This allows not only to work with individual cases, but also to better understand systemic gaps in responding to and protecting the rights of victims. Expanding the network of legal clinics in the three regions is part of MARTIN Club's approach to making legal aid accessible where people live and experience the consequences of war. It is about moving from one-time interventions to a permanent presence and long-term support for communities. Legal assistance within the project is provided free of charge. To apply for support, you can write to the pages of the NGO MARTIN-club on social networks or contact the legal reception center in your region by phone. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the Government of the United States of America, implemented by the NGO "MARTIN-Club" in partnership with the "Right to Protection" Foundation . MARTIN-club was founded in 1999 in Makiivka. Today, the organization is one of the leaders in the field of combating gender-based and domestic violence. For over 26 years, the team has been combining the work of emergency services and long-term support programs, providing women and children affected by violence with psychological, social and legal assistance. In addition to direct services, MARTIN-club develops safe spaces, supports youth initiatives and implements educational and artistic practices. The organization works to ensure that assistance is accessible, coordinated and sustainable - through the development of local services, partnerships and professional communities. The Right to Protection Foundation is a leading human rights organization in Ukraine that provides multi-purpose assistance to IDPs, war victims, refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. The Foundation implements programs for legal, psychological, and material support to IDPs and war victims, as well as provides social assistance and monitors the protection of rights. In addition, the Right to Protection Foundation promotes social cohesion in communities and the economic inclusion of IDPs and war victims.

Several years ago in Dnipro, a young woman — the mother of three children — died. The official cause of death was a heart attack. At the same time, her body showed more than 70 bruises, neighbors repeatedly called the police because of beatings, and the children were witnessing violence every day. The case was closed seven times — and each time the decisions to terminate the criminal proceedings were overturned. Thanks to the work of Yuliia Seheda, Head of the Legal Department of MARTIN Club NGO, the investigation was repeatedly reopened and a new forensic examination was ordered. Today, this case has been officially registered with the European Court of Human Rights . For us, this is an important indicator of a deeper problem in the system’s response to domestic violence. We see how such cases are still often treated as “private matters,” how signals from neighbors do not always trigger real protection, how dozens of bruises are considered separately rather than as evidence of systematic abuse, and how children who witness violence remain outside the focus of investigations. That is why we speak about the need for concrete changes: domestic violence must be investigated as a public crime; every report must be accompanied by a risk assessment and a protection plan; children in such cases must automatically be recognized as victims and receive comprehensive support; investigations must consider the full context, not just a single medical document; and real intersectoral cooperation must exist between police, social services, and specialized NGOs. We are not calling for punishment for the sake of punishment. This is about early risk detection, protection, and prevention — so that the system starts working before tragedy happens. MARTIN Club will continue to advocate for these changes together with partners and state institutions. Because in the absence of systemic solutions, it is always affected women and children who pay the price.

2025 was a year for the NGO "MARTIN-club" to scale up assistance, strengthen systemic interaction with state institutions, and develop specialized services for children, women, and war victims. We worked through 15 projects in 9 regions of Ukraine, combining individual support, training of specialists, advocacy, and development of local protection systems. Вікторія Федотова Голова Правління ГО "МАРТІН-КЛУБ" Dear colleagues, partners, friends! 2025 is a testament to the indomitability of spirit and systematic work in the conditions of life on the border with hostilities. This year has become a year of cruel testing, when war not only creates challenges, but also exacerbates violence, which has always existed, and now in addition to war devastation. The response to gender-based violence (GBV) fell on the shoulders of local organizations, where the NGO "MARTIN-CLUB" played a key role when the crisis in program support became a critical moment. The needs of victims in the Dnipropetrovsk region increased, but the main partners suddenly stopped their activities. This is where the strength and resilience of our organization was manifested. We were responsible to the victims and were able to maintain our support. It was extremely difficult not to lose trained personnel, to preserve and even expand the main locations of work, to further strengthen ties with territorial communities and directly with the people we provided assistance to. We not only survived, but also developed. Our team worked ahead of the curve: we maintained the work of mobile teams of socio-psychological assistance to victims of GBV, although we reduced their number. We continued to provide assistance to victims of GBV, although we closed the inpatient center, maintaining case management, socio-medical assistance, advocacy and legal support from GBV. We maintained the work of the child support service in a certified bomb shelter, opened a music room for teenagers. We restored the Forum Theater and strengthened women's spaces. A key achievement was the creation of the Expert Service for Responding to Sexual Violence Against Children (SPC). Behind our shoulders are thousands of saved lives. Our lawyers and advocates have defended hundreds of people in court, psychologists and psychiatrists, and social workers have supported thousands of victims of violence and war. We are a leading expert community for cities and communities. Our heroism was evident in responding to the consequences of the rocket attacks. Our psychologists were there on every arrival, working with evacuees. We provided legal assistance to those whose homes were destroyed, shared knowledge with colleagues from the public and state sectors on how to effectively help victims. We are actively developing our training center. It employs 12 male Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) trainers and 8 female trainers in the field of combating gender-based violence, including domestic violence and sexual violence related to the conflict. Every story of people who protected themselves is a direct contribution to community safety. We shared knowledge with police officers, social services, and community management personnel. Behind our confident achievements is a daily, invisible feat: the heroism of the MARTIN CLUB employees. You are our most valuable resource, and I am sincerely grateful for your dedication and loyalty to the mission. Today we clearly realize: only defense at the front allows Ukraine and us to exist in it. This year, our social workers also joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We will not be able to replace their contribution to our mission, but we will do everything so that their change from peaceful to military uniform does not affect the assistance to the affected people in the rear, and we are even more proud of them. Thank you to our partners, donors, and everyone we support for your trust. Our work continues. Together we are a force capable of protecting, supporting, and restoring. Victoria Fedotova Chairman of the Board of the NGO "MARTIN-CLUB " Below are the key results of our work. Key indicators of the year 14,419 clients received individual services (85% women) 64,229 services provided during the year UAH 92,617,052 — total budget 2,528 calls to the hotline 12 locations of active work 132 specialists in the team + involved trainers and experts Educational component: 20 coaches 14,324 beneficiaries received training 1,099 specialists improved their qualifications (police officers, prosecutors, children's services, social workers, teachers) Responding to the consequences of war Throughout the year, we provided support to people affected by hostilities and forced displacement: 371 people received assistance after rocket attacks 178 people — in transit centers (Pavlohrad city, Voloske village) 459 people were informed within the evacuation framework 68 applications submitted to the Register of Losses This work combined crisis response, psychological support, legal advice, and accompaniment. Child protection and specialized services In 2025, 2,868 children received assistance . Among them: 1,647 children affected by violence of them — 47 children , victims of sexual violence and SNPK (32 girls and 15 boys) Specialized services of the NGO "MARTIN-club" worked to ensure comprehensive protection: Expert service for responding to sexual violence against children (including SNPK) Child support service operating in a certified bomb shelter Music room for teenagers 5 mobile shelters installed in institutions for children in remote communities Systemic cooperation with law enforcement agencies A separate direction was the development of interdepartmental cooperation and legal protection of victims: participation in the interdepartmental working group at the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office expert support for the working group of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA on creating a system for responding to violence legal support for victims during investigative actions representation of interests in 90 trials , including 18 cases concerning sexual abuse of children involving psychologists in criminal proceedings and conducting interviews in "green rooms" development and implementation of proprietary training programs for police officers Within the peacebuilding direction: 250 people were involved in conflict transformation programs The organization joined the 1325 coalition These processes are aimed at reducing social tension, developing dialogue, and strengthening community resilience. Important events and expert input 2025 was also marked by the development of the team's expertise: Partners were trained on submitting applications to national and international reparations and compensation mechanisms (RD4U, eRecovery program); Yulia Seheda — IOM national trainer Yulia Seheda — lawyer and lecturer at the National School of Judges of Ukraine Yulia Kochet — National Trainer for PSEA Trainers (UN WHO) Training of specialists in programs for abusers has been initiated; Viktoriya Fedotova is a program instructor Besides: trademark registered with the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovations the organization is included in the register of social service providers The people behind the changes In 2025, 132 specialists worked at the NGO "MARTIN-club" , as well as involved trainers and experts. Among our team: 5 veterans 14 members of the Heroes' families 5 of our employees are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine It is these people who ensure the operation of services, support for victims, and the development of systemic solutions every day. We continue to work for children, women and communities, investing in human potential and a secure future. We thank all partners, donors and communities for their trust and collaboration. The full report is available at the link

It is a great honor for our team that the head of the NGO “MARTIN-club” Victoria Fedotova represented the Ukrainian local sector at the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Brussels. SOM is a strategic platform of the highest level, where top officials of the European Commission, the UN and the Government of Ukraine determine the future of humanitarian aid. Victoria’s participation in such an event is a recognition of the expertise of our organization and an opportunity to directly influence the international agenda. An important stage of the meeting was the review of the humanitarian situation by Matthias Schmale (UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine). His report was alarming: The conflict continues to destabilize the lives of millions, and attacks on energy infrastructure in freezing conditions pose critical challenges to survival. Mathias stressed that despite the "fatigue" of war, needs are only growing, and the humanitarian response must be inextricably linked to recovery ("Nexus"). We fully share the position of Deputy Head of the President's Office Iryna Vereshchuk, who called on partners not to cut budgets. Ms. Iryna emphasized: Ukraine will stand firm no matter what, but Russia will not stop unless it sees the same ironclad determination from European leaders. That is why we are demanding a 30% increase in funding for life-saving programs — every day of delay is measured in the lives of our citizens. The speech by Carsten Schmitz-Hoffmann (GIZ), who presented the “Empower / Team Europe” model, was extremely practical. His theses became a professional confirmation of our localization strategy: Trust in the local: Investing in Ukrainian organizations is the best way to ensure accountability. The GIZ model proves that through institutional development of small NGOs, tens of thousands of people can be effectively helped. Fair Risks: International partners should not shift all security and operational risks onto local teams without providing them with adequate support. Flexibility and savings: Localization allows us to significantly reduce overhead costs and respond instantly, because we are already on the ground. These messages were also supported by Marten Bille Hermann (EEAS), assuring the EU's full solidarity, especially in the issues of protecting the rights of people in the occupied territories and the return of deported children. We return from Brussels with a clear signal: the voice of the MARTIN Club and Ukrainian civil society sounds confident. Together with partners, we are building a system where aid becomes an investment in our shared resilience. 🇺🇦🇪🇺

In conditions of blackouts, people who cannot quickly or independently reach stationary assistance points remain particularly vulnerable. That is why a mobile invincibility point has been launched in Dnipro - a format that allows providing support directly near the place of residence. The mobile point is primarily aimed at residents with limited mobility, the elderly, families with children, and those who, due to health or household restrictions, cannot move around the city during power outages. The visits reduce the burden on people and provide access to basic things: recharging communication devices, hot water, and basic support. In coordination with the municipal institution "Dotyk", the mobile point of invincibility of the NGO MARTIN-club goes to places where, due to the lack of electricity, residents are left without basic opportunities: to recharge their phones, contact their relatives, get hot water. Coordination allows integrating this format into the general system of city support during crisis situations. The first visit took place at 27 Berezinska Street. 18 people received assistance, including 11 women and 7 men. Special attention in this format is paid to houses with electric stoves - during long-term outages, this is where household difficulties arise most quickly. The mobile point allows you to partially cover these needs without the need to move people to stationary locations. Practice has shown interest from condominium associations: building heads are ready to join in coordinating and informing residents. In the future, it is planned to announce visits through building chats with a clear indication of the address and visual identification of the car, so that residents understand in advance where and when the service will be available. The mobile invincibility point is seen as a practical tool for cities that live in an unstable energy supply regime - a service that complements stationary points and makes it possible to support people where they live.

She fled another country with her 14-year-old son, fleeing from a husband who had been psychologically, economically, and physically abusive to her. She had endured years of humiliation: her husband controlled her money and even her food, was aggressive when drunk, and after fleeing, kept calling her for a long time to break her down. Loneliness, debt, depression, and insomnia became a daily reality. She tried to maintain a normal life for her son—school, belongings, food—but there was not enough money and no support. It was then that a friend advised her to contact the “Your Space” NGO MARTIN-club. She wrote a message on Instagram — and the very next day she found herself in a consultation with a psychologist. This was the first step towards recovery: she heard there the important phrase “you are not alone,” which gave her the strength not to give up. From that moment on, her life began to change. Week after week, she worked with a psychologist, learning to feel the ground under her feet again. Later, a lawyer joined the work, who helped prepare and file divorce documents. The case manager provided support in obtaining social assistance, thanks to which she managed to cover legal costs. The woman took part in the training “Strong in Spirit: The Path to Recovery and Development” from the MARTIN Club, where she was able to reboot: through yoga practices and therapeutic exercises with drums, she got rid of aggression and fatigue and, for the first time in a long time, slept through the night. This was a real victory for her, because insomnia had been draining her of strength for years. For her, it was like a miracle: sleep restored her strength, and there were women with similar stories nearby who understood her without words. She felt that she was no longer alone in her struggle. Thanks to comprehensive assistance, the woman was able to emerge from a state of deep crisis. She realized that she had the right to protection and a new life. Her words revealed hope and confidence in the future. She was able to reconnect with her sister after a three-year break, which was another important step towards stability. Although the legal process is ongoing and there are still issues of child support ahead, she now has a strong support system. She is most grateful for the sense of community: the words "you are not alone" were a turning point for her, saving her from despair. Today, this woman is confidently moving forward, working on her mental health, and believing that her future and that of her son will be safe and happy. "Your Space" is a place where women who have experienced violence can take the first step towards recovery. Here they find safety, support, and new opportunities. The project to assist victims of gender-based violence is implemented by the NGO MARTIN-club with the support of the international organization Norwegian People's Aid within the framework of the "Comprehensive Approach to Crisis Response: Mine Action, Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence, and Support for Livelihoods in Ukraine."

The Patrol Police Department in the Dnipropetrovsk region and the NGO MARTIN-club held a working meeting dedicated to deepening cooperation in the field of preventing and combating domestic and sexual violence, as well as strengthening comprehensive assistance to victims. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the patrol police in Ukraine, the program director of the MARTIN Club, Yan Borodin, presented a letter of gratitude to Andriy Kalyuzhny, head of the Patrol Police Department in the Dnipropetrovsk region, for systematic and coordinated interaction and contribution to the protection of human rights. For the second year in a row, MARTIN-club has been implementing a training project for entities working in the field of combating violence. During this time, 30 patrol police officers participated in the training together with other response entities . The program covers legal and psychological aspects of response, current changes in legislation, judicial practice, features of working with victims and preparation of procedural documents. Cooperation also takes place in daily work: in the event of calls regarding domestic violence, patrol officers involve mobile teams of socio-psychological assistance from the NGO MARTIN-club to protect the victim, provide first psychological aid, and organize further support. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen operational interaction between patrol crews and mobile teams through clear communication algorithms and exchange of contacts of officers on duty; to introduce regular joint training and supervision after complex cases, as well as short training modules for new police officers; to join efforts in educational work with communities on algorithms of actions in case of domestic violence, in particular within the framework of the international campaign "16 Days Against Violence". All efforts are aimed at ensuring that assistance to victims is not spot-on, but comprehensive - so that a person receives support at all stages and at the same time feels respected, safe, and dignified.

Kosovo is a small country that survived war in the late 1990s, but has managed to go a long and difficult path to recognizing and supporting people who suffered from conflict-related sexual violence. That is why today the experience of Kosovo is important for Ukraine - we are at the stage of creating the mechanisms that are already working there. Head of Legal Service of NGO MARTIN-club Yuliia Seheda , representing the organization, participated in a study visit to Kosovo on responding to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), organized by UN Women Ukraine and UN Women Kosovo together with representatives of five other Ukrainian civil society organizations. During the 1998–1999 war in Kosovo, sexual violence was widespread. However, for more than a decade after the war, these crimes were silenced due to stigmatization and patriarchal attitudes in society. Only with the initiative of the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, and the systematic work of civil society, did the state begin to listen to the victims and implement unpopular but necessary reforms: the legislation was changed, a mechanism was created for identifying victims, providing them with status, access to justice, and comprehensive social, psychological, and legal assistance. According to international missions, the number of victims of the SNPK in Kosovo exceeds 20,000 people. Today, more than 1,800 people have officially received this status, lifelong pensions and state benefits as victims of the war. During the visit, meetings were held with the State Commission for the Status of Victims of the SNPK, UN Women Kosovo, as well as with civil society organizations that cooperate with the state. One of the key elements of the Kosovo model is the involvement of civil society. It is NGOs that collect information, support victims, and prepare documents for the commission. This increases trust and minimizes formality, while maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information. A particularly emotional moment was taking part in the action near the Heroinate memorial in Pristina, an installation of 20,000 nails in the shape of a woman's face, each of which symbolizes the story of a victim. Each story is a silence, pain, and strength that cannot be forgotten. MARTIN Club already provides assistance and support to victims of SNPK in Ukraine, working with a human-centered approach and in compliance with international response standards. We not only learn from experience, but also share our achievements, which will help avoid mistakes and strengthen solutions that should work systematically and in the long term. It is the responsibility of the state and civil society to hear, recognize, and support those who have survived war crimes.

Since June 2025, the “Pink Panama” project has been changing its concept of work. We still love children and are waiting for them in our space. Social educators invite them to development classes, to the teenage club, to activities outside the premises: on excursions, hikes, to game tournaments. Our address is changing. Today it is Khersonska, 5, the premises of the children's hub, located in a bomb shelter, safe and adapted for conducting classes with children. What is Pink Panama 2025? "Pink Panama" is a project by a team of professionals who share common values ​​of protecting childhood and the future generation. Our main goal is to support children at all stages of their development so that they have the opportunity to live a full childhood, despite the difficult circumstances of war. The war has changed the childhood of many Ukrainian children. They know what an “air raid” is, how to find a bomb shelter, and how to protect themselves in conditions of uncertainty. They have experienced many hardships, from losing their homes to fearing for the safety of their families. Ukrainian children were forced to grow up unfairly fast. Therefore, the goal of Pink Panama is to give children back their childhood and the opportunity to live a full life, find new friends and a new social group. Since the war started in 2022, we have had the opportunity to see how children grow up in war and what they and their parents need, what support is needed at each stage of child development. Now we have 3 main components: support for education (preparation for school, support at school), development (art therapy, workshops, introduction to professions), development of emotional intelligence (program of social and emotional training, communication). The main goal of the Pink Panama project is to provide comprehensive support and promote the healthy psychophysical development of children affected by the war in Ukraine. The project aims to make children feel safe, overcome trauma, socialize and find their role in society. The ultimate goal is to help children become active and responsible members of society who contribute to the development of the country. Strategy for three age groups 1. Preschoolers (5-7 years old) Main objective: Preparation for school, socialization, social and emotional learning. Activities for the development of fine motor skills, memory, attention, and logical thinking Games to unite and establish contacts between children Art therapy, music therapy for emotional development Ecology classes and eco-experiments as the first step in caring for the environment 2. Younger students (8-10 years old) Main objective: To consolidate and develop the knowledge and skills acquired in the first stage. Deepening knowledge of school readiness (reading, arithmetic, logic) Development of communication skills, ability to cooperate in a team Career guidance games and workshops Volunteer projects aimed at helping the community 3. Teenagers (11-12 years old) Main goal: Self-determination, search for a role in society, professional orientation. Trainings on personal development, leadership, decision-making Mini-courses in various professions, excursions to enterprises Mentoring programs, involvement of teenagers in volunteer activities Consultations with psychologists and career counselors We believe that children are our future. We want these future adults to be able to realize themselves in society. To be self-confident people who know themselves and get along with others. People who had a happy childhood despite the most terrible circumstances that surrounded them. At the time of the application, we already have a component for preschool children. We ask for support for work with school-age children and adolescents. Currently, the project works half a day for toddlers, because we do not have the opportunity to accept more children. In case of funding, we will be able to cover older children for the next 4 months. Martin Club and Rotary Collaboration: Together for Children The “Pink Panama” project: Supporting Children through Rotary From June to September 2025, the Pink Panama Project will be implemented thanks to the generous support of the Rotary Club of District 1820 (Germany). Thanks to the funding of Rotarians, this unique project will have the opportunity to serve Ukrainian children affected by the consequences of war. Also in 2023, the Pink Panama was funded with the participation of Rotary, which confirms the long-term cooperation between our organizations. Mission of Rotary Clubs The mission of the Rotary Club is to unite leaders of different professions for joint service to society, support humanitarian projects, and promote peace throughout the world. Rotarians focus their activities on key areas - the fight against poverty, education, health care, ensuring access to clean water and supporting the community, showing a true example of selfless service. These clubs pay special attention to children who need protection and care in difficult moments of life. Shared mission: serving people In its many years of work, the Martin Club has always supported the values ​​close to Rotary, because these organizations share a common goal - to help those who need it most and direct their potential to solve social problems. Our cooperation is based on the desire to create a more just and humane world. United for the future The joint activities of the Martin Club and Rotary are an example of how joining forces can change people's lives. We are grateful to the Rotary Club of District 1820 (Germany) for their trust and support in our common cause – serving children who need it so much.