October 28 an integrative initiative “We are one family” took place in Troitske, Luhansk region.

The activity was initiated by the Troitske district center for social services and supported by the Council of Europe Project “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine”.

The co-organizer of the activity was an NGO “Dieva Gromada” from Starobilsk, Luhansk region. It was aimed on facilitation of communication between IDPs and population from host community through common leisure activities and to promote experience exchange between initiative groups working with IDPs in Troitske and Starobilsk.

The event consisted of two parts – the socio-culture marathon for people living in Troitske and a meeting on best practices sharing between specialists from Troitske and Starobilsk.

During socio-culture marathon children and adults living in Troitske were invited to participate in a series of free workshops and communication platforms on dances, books exchange, photo-art, vocal, handmade, poetry.

Around 100 children and adults from IDPs and host community had an opportunity to communicate, learn and spend time together. 

After the finishing of a marathon, the representatives of Troitske district center of social services, house of culture, librarians and activists of Starobilsk NGO “Dieva Gromada” met together in the format of a seminar on best practices sharing.

Since 2014 both communities faced with different issues related to the conflict and displacement. Being just an initiative group of displaced persons themselves for two years, in 2016 the activists from Starobilsk established the NGO “Dieva Gromada” successfully working with donors and local authorities now. 

At the seminar participants discussed their successful projects and ideas for future cooperation. 

November-December 2016 the Project “Strengthening the Human Rights Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” will support 2 more initiatives which aimed on integration of IDPs and members of host communities in different places in Luhansk region.