On March 23, a space for veterans and their families was opened in Nizhyn. Nezlamni is the first veteran space in the Chernihiv region, with its main goal being to support veterans in their socialization and realization of opportunities as they return to civilian life. Local civil society organizations, in collaboration with the city authorities, worked for over six months to create the center.

The Nizhyn Hromada is one of 10 hromadas that won a competition held by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund and Cedos. As part of the competition, each community received a grant of 1,000,000 UAH to create a community building center, along with mentoring support from experts in architecture, culture, communications, and social interaction.

The creation of a modern veteran hub in an old school building was made possible through the efforts of NGO MISTO N, the charitable foundation Ukrainian Unbreakable Soul, the Nizhyn City Council, and with the support of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Nizhyn City Council, patrons, volunteers, mentors, and families of veterans.

About the Center

The Nezlamni veteran space will be a place where veterans can seek help and support at any time. It offers a space and community where they can share experiences, emotions, and ideas, and receive free consultations on psychological, legal, career, and other issues. The space includes a co-working room, a children’s room, a physical training area, a café and a socializing space, as well as a cozy home cinema.

The functional goal of the space is to provide maximum opportunities for socializing veterans during the transition from military to civilian way of life. It aims to offer the most extensive support and assistance in implementing veteran initiatives, providing psychological and legal help, finding solutions to problems and crises, and realizing opportunities. This is a place for meetings and support groups, where veterans can express themselves and find fulfillment in civilian life.

Oksana Smaha, Head of the Social Protection Department of the Nizhyn City Council

I believe the Nezlamni veteran space will not only become a symbol of our gratitude but also a practical tool for supporting our heroes and their families. May it become the heart around which veteran families in our city gather, where all veterans will feel like part of our large and united family.

Yulia Kuzmenko, Head of MISTO N NGO

During the official opening, Mayor Oleksandr Kodola emphasized that he is proud that the Nizhyn community sets an example of unity among all its residents, as well as support and care for Ukraine’s defenders, for other communities to follow.

Caring for veterans is not just a demand of the present, it is our duty and a sign of respect and care for our defenders. Today, as state policy in the veteran sphere is only beginning to take shape, I feel pride for our community, which quickly responded to the challenges facing society and demonstrated an excellent example of consolidating efforts among donor organizations, local self-government bodies, NGOs, volunteers, and local businesses to create a veteran space. Here, veterans and their families will be able to receive various services and support that will help them overcome difficulties and recover after their service. This includes psychological and legal assistance, career consultations, opportunities to engage in sports, and meaningful leisure activities. This is why I supported the idea of creating a veteran space in our city. It will be a place where our heroes can find support, share their experiences, and make new friends.

Oleksandr Kodola, Mayor of Nizhyn

In addition to local organizations, the creation of the space was supported by international partners. Specifically, the city council of Preiļi, Nizhyn’s Latvian sister city, allocated funds for furnishing the space. The Finnish sister city of Imatra and the Belgian municipality of Wachtebeke also agreed to support the Nizhyn community in setting up the community building center, with their assistance expected in the near future.

The project team also plans to renovate the building of a former school library. The Nezlamni team intends to establish a rehabilitation center there, with a masseur and a rehabilitation specialist. In the schoolyard, they plan to create another space with an open-air cinema, playgrounds and sports grounds, and a relaxation area for veterans and their families. Read also about the opening of the community building center in the Krasnokutsk Hromada in the Kharkiv region and the DobroHub Space of Happy People, which opened in the Odesa Region.