Employment and education centre opened in Mykolaiv to support veterans and their families

An Employment and Education Office for veterans and their families has been opened in Mykolaiv. The office will provide free non-formal education services, as well as legal and psychological counselling for military personnel returning to civilian life after service.

This was reported by the correspondent of NikVesti.

The space provides psychological and legal assistance, career counselling, training in new professions, assistance with starting a business and organising leisure activities. The goal of the office is to create a safe space for veterans, their families and the families of the fallen, to help them return to civilian life, get education, employment and the necessary psychosocial support.

The office is equipped with rooms for individual and group work, rooms for a psychologist and a lawyer, a cooking area and a children's room. In the future, they plan to open a large training room.

The total project budget is about $102,600, including:

• USD 65 thousand — with the support of UNDP and funding from the German Government;
• 30.7 thousand euros — with the support of DVV International Ukraine (Federal Foreign Office of Germany);
• about USD 2 thousand — in the framework of cooperation with the ICO Charitable Foundation «SOS Children's Villages Ukraine».

Permanent Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine Maximilian Rasch stressed that support for veterans and Ukraine's development remain one of Germany's priorities.

«Germany supports Ukraine not only in humanitarian issues, but also in development and implementation of reforms. It is important to us that Ukraine continues to move towards Europe as an independent and sovereign state. We will continue to cooperate in this direction, in particular in supporting the veterans' movement. We hope that this centre will be filled with life after its opening,» said Maximilian Rasch.

Project coordinator Iryna Tirel stressed that the opening of such hubs helps society better understand the importance of integrating veterans into everyday life.

«The opening of such hubs helps society to see and understand the need for integration into our new reality. I would like to emphasise that the creation of such centres is possible only through the joint work of international partners, charitable and public organisations and the German Government. I sincerely thank everyone for their participation in this great cause. I congratulate you on the opening of the veterans' hub,» said Iryna Tirel.

Viktor Sikalenko, director of «Mykolaiv Development Agency», stressed that the opening of the veterans' hub was made possible by the joint work of all partners and donors. According to him, the centre will work as a space where Ukrainian and international organisations will be able to provide their services in convenient and accessible conditions.

«Today's opening was attended by all the partners and donors who provided funding for the launch of this hub. Each organisation has its own projects aimed at supporting veterans' policy, and this centre will combine their efforts. We are already in talks with various partners. For example, lawyers will be working here on a permanent basis to provide legal advice with the support of international foundations, such as «Right to Protection». There are other organisations interested in the centre's activities, as many do not have their own premises or working conditions. This hub was created to enable international, Ukrainian and local organisations to provide services openly and comfortably,» said Viktor Sikalenko.

Residents of Mykolaiv can call 075 614 99 28 to learn more about the work of the space.

As a reminder, a meeting was held at the Mykolaiv City Veterans Support Centre, where employers presented their companies and told veterans about available vacancies.