On April 19, a resource and recovery center in Blyzniuky was opened to assist those affected by the war and to support military service members, veterans, and their families. The first event at Apteka was a training session for the community’s cultural workers.

The Blyzniuky Hromada became 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 community came together even during the renovation phase—residents participated in collective work efforts (tolokas) and discussions about the future space.

About the Center

The space owes its name, Apteka, to the pharmacy that once occupied this building. Apteka features a central hall for group activities, a room for psychological consultations, a kitchen, and a relaxation area.

The space owes its name, Apteka, to the pharmacy that once occupied this building. Apteka features a central hall for group activities, a room for psychological consultations, a kitchen, and a relaxation area.

The community minds the risks associated with the war, so it will also hold sessions on mine safety and first aid in the center.

The community building center in the front-line town of Blyzniuky is a story of a bold dream realized during wartime. Life has returned to an abandoned building that stood empty for years. With the support of a foundation, a place of unity, inspiration, and strength was created—a place where everyone can find opportunities and not only participate in the activities offered but also create their own.

Bohdan Bukhtatyi, Director of the Center for Cultural Services Municipal Institution

In the future, the project team will seek resources to renovate other buildings near Apteka and to develop the surrounding area.

The project is being implemented by NGO Basis of Ukraine in partnership with the Cultural Services Center Municipal Institution and the Blyzniuky Village Council.

Read also about the opening of an inclusive youth space in the Kovel Hromada in Volyn and about the community building center in the Ovruch Hromada in the Zhytomyr Region.