Strengthening Local Democracy and Inclusion
Center «Anthill»
The center of joint creation «Anthill»
Our project aims to establish a welcoming space where diverse social groups—local residents, children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and their families—can meet, collaborate, and realize their potential. By fostering community bonds and shared purpose, this initiative strives to create an environment that supports social integration, empowerment, and resilience.
Ukraine
Local
Dunaivtsi City Territorial Community
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It involves other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2024-09-30
Yes
Council of Europe, the project “Strengthening multi-level governance, democracy and human rights at the local level in Ukraine”, implemented by the Congress within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” for 2023-2026
No
No
Organisation
Overall Aim:
The "Anthill" project aimed to create a welcoming and inclusive space that fosters community resilience, social integration, and empowerment. By bringing together local residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and their families, the initiative strengthened social cohesion, encouraged participation in cultural and educational activities, and promoted personal and professional development.
Target Groups:
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) – for integration and active participation.
Veterans and Their Families – for psychological support and rehabilitation.
Local Residents – to foster engagement and community-building.
Children and Youth – to provide educational and creative opportunities.
Specific Objectives:
Establish an inclusive community space for collaboration, support, and social cohesion.
Facilitate IDP integration through activities that promote participation and empowerment.
Support veterans and families with programs fostering emotional well-being and creative self-expression.
Engage youth in educational and cultural initiatives to develop skills and strengthen their role in the community.
Ensure project sustainability by building partnerships.
Achieved Outcomes:
687 participants engaged in 28 community events.
Enhanced social cohesion through cultural, psychological, and educational programs.
Strengthened IDP integration, ensuring active community participation.
Increased local partnerships, expanding project impact and sustainability.
Development of long-term initiatives.
Through the "Anthill" project, the community has become more united, resilient, and empowered to face challenges together.
The "Anthill" project aimed to create a welcoming and inclusive space that fosters community resilience, social integration, and empowerment. By bringing together local residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and their families, the initiative strengthened social cohesion, encouraged participation in cultural and educational activities, and promoted personal and professional development.
Target Groups:
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) – for integration and active participation.
Veterans and Their Families – for psychological support and rehabilitation.
Local Residents – to foster engagement and community-building.
Children and Youth – to provide educational and creative opportunities.
Specific Objectives:
Establish an inclusive community space for collaboration, support, and social cohesion.
Facilitate IDP integration through activities that promote participation and empowerment.
Support veterans and families with programs fostering emotional well-being and creative self-expression.
Engage youth in educational and cultural initiatives to develop skills and strengthen their role in the community.
Ensure project sustainability by building partnerships.
Achieved Outcomes:
687 participants engaged in 28 community events.
Enhanced social cohesion through cultural, psychological, and educational programs.
Strengthened IDP integration, ensuring active community participation.
Increased local partnerships, expanding project impact and sustainability.
Development of long-term initiatives.
Through the "Anthill" project, the community has become more united, resilient, and empowered to face challenges together.
The “Anthill” project emerged as a response to the need for a safe and welcoming space where local residents, internally displaced persons, veterans, and their families could come together and support one another. The idea was to create a community hub that encourages interaction, creativity, and learning, helping people rebuild social connections during a challenging time.
The project was implemented through community events, workshops, and educational activities designed for different groups, including youth and families affected by the war. These activities created opportunities for dialogue, skill development, and cooperation within the community.
During the implementation, 28 events were organized with the participation of 687 people, strengthening social ties, supporting the integration of internally displaced persons, and encouraging active community engagement. The “Anthill” space has since become a place where people collaborate, share experiences, and build new initiatives together.
The project was implemented through community events, workshops, and educational activities designed for different groups, including youth and families affected by the war. These activities created opportunities for dialogue, skill development, and cooperation within the community.
During the implementation, 28 events were organized with the participation of 687 people, strengthening social ties, supporting the integration of internally displaced persons, and encouraging active community engagement. The “Anthill” space has since become a place where people collaborate, share experiences, and build new initiatives together.
Community Integration
Social Inclusion
Empowerment
Resilience
Collaboration
The “Anthill” project addresses sustainability through social, cultural, and economic dimensions by strengthening community resilience and creating long-term opportunities for cooperation and development.
From a social perspective, the project supports the integration of internally displaced persons, veterans, and local residents by creating a safe and inclusive space for interaction, learning, and mutual support. Through educational events, creative workshops, and psychological support activities, the initiative helps rebuild social connections and promotes long-term community stability.
In terms of cultural sustainability, the project promotes local identity and cultural exchange through activities such as storytelling sessions, poetry events, and workshops connected with Ukrainian traditions and community heritage. These initiatives help preserve cultural values while strengthening a shared sense of belonging.
The project can be considered exemplary because it combines community participation, social inclusion, cultural engagement, and economic empowerment in one sustainable model. By actively involving citizens in decision-making and encouraging local partnerships, the “Anthill” initiative creates long-term impact and demonstrates how community-driven projects can strengthen resilience and sustainable development at the local level.
From a social perspective, the project supports the integration of internally displaced persons, veterans, and local residents by creating a safe and inclusive space for interaction, learning, and mutual support. Through educational events, creative workshops, and psychological support activities, the initiative helps rebuild social connections and promotes long-term community stability.
In terms of cultural sustainability, the project promotes local identity and cultural exchange through activities such as storytelling sessions, poetry events, and workshops connected with Ukrainian traditions and community heritage. These initiatives help preserve cultural values while strengthening a shared sense of belonging.
The project can be considered exemplary because it combines community participation, social inclusion, cultural engagement, and economic empowerment in one sustainable model. By actively involving citizens in decision-making and encouraging local partnerships, the “Anthill” initiative creates long-term impact and demonstrates how community-driven projects can strengthen resilience and sustainable development at the local level.
The “Anthill” project contributes to making everyday life more meaningful and inspiring by creating a welcoming community space where people can meet, create, and share experiences. The center hosts cultural and creative activities such as art workshops, storytelling sessions, poetry events, and community celebrations, which bring beauty and creativity into daily community life. These activities allow participants to express themselves, discover local culture, and experience a positive and supportive environment.
The project also strengthens a sense of belonging and care for the place. Community members were actively involved in shaping the identity of the center, including public voting for the project’s logo, which engaged more than 1,000 participants. This participatory approach helped people feel that the space truly belongs to them and encouraged them to take care of it and contribute to its development.
In the longer term, the project contributes to creating a culturally vibrant and human-centered environment where creativity, dialogue, and cooperation become part of everyday life. By combining art, culture, and community participation, the “Anthill” initiative demonstrates how aesthetic experiences can strengthen social bonds and transform a simple community space into a place of inspiration, identity, and shared values.
The project also strengthens a sense of belonging and care for the place. Community members were actively involved in shaping the identity of the center, including public voting for the project’s logo, which engaged more than 1,000 participants. This participatory approach helped people feel that the space truly belongs to them and encouraged them to take care of it and contribute to its development.
In the longer term, the project contributes to creating a culturally vibrant and human-centered environment where creativity, dialogue, and cooperation become part of everyday life. By combining art, culture, and community participation, the “Anthill” initiative demonstrates how aesthetic experiences can strengthen social bonds and transform a simple community space into a place of inspiration, identity, and shared values.
The “Anthill” project promotes inclusion by creating a space that is accessible and open to everyone in the community. All activities and events are free of charge, allowing internally displaced persons, veterans, youth, and local residents to participate regardless of their financial situation.
The project also supports inclusive governance, as community members were involved in shaping the initiative through consultations and participatory decisions, including public voting for the center’s logo. This approach ensured that the space reflects the real needs of its users.
The project is exemplary because it not only provides access to activities but also empowers people to actively participate in community life and decision-making, strengthening social cohesion and inclusion.
The project also supports inclusive governance, as community members were involved in shaping the initiative through consultations and participatory decisions, including public voting for the center’s logo. This approach ensured that the space reflects the real needs of its users.
The project is exemplary because it not only provides access to activities but also empowers people to actively participate in community life and decision-making, strengthening social cohesion and inclusion.
The “Anthill” project was implemented through an active participatory approach, where citizens and civil society organizations were directly involved in shaping and implementing the initiative. Community members were not only beneficiaries but also contributors who helped design activities and events according to local needs.
Internally displaced persons, youth, and families participated in cultural, educational, and creative initiatives, while local NGOs, including the Women’s Association of Dunaivtsi, co-organized events and helped engage new participants. Citizens also took part in decision-making processes, such as the public vote for the center’s logo.
This involvement increased community ownership and trust in the project, resulting in strong participation, with 687 people attending 28 activities. The participatory approach strengthened social cohesion and ensured that the project responds to real community needs.
Internally displaced persons, youth, and families participated in cultural, educational, and creative initiatives, while local NGOs, including the Women’s Association of Dunaivtsi, co-organized events and helped engage new participants. Citizens also took part in decision-making processes, such as the public vote for the center’s logo.
This involvement increased community ownership and trust in the project, resulting in strong participation, with 687 people attending 28 activities. The participatory approach strengthened social cohesion and ensured that the project responds to real community needs.
The **“Anthill”** project was developed through cooperation between stakeholders at several levels, which strengthened its impact and sustainability.
At the **local level**, the Dunaivtsi City Council coordinated the project and provided institutional support, while local NGOs and community members helped organize events and activities. Internally displaced persons, youth, and residents actively participated in shaping the program, ensuring that it responded to real community needs.
Cooperation with **civil society organizations**, including the Women’s Association of Dunaivtsi, expanded outreach and helped involve new participants through joint initiatives and community events.
The engagement of stakeholders at different levels increased the project’s visibility, strengthened partnerships, and ensured that the initiative could continue developing through cooperation between local authorities, civil society, and community members.
At the **local level**, the Dunaivtsi City Council coordinated the project and provided institutional support, while local NGOs and community members helped organize events and activities. Internally displaced persons, youth, and residents actively participated in shaping the program, ensuring that it responded to real community needs.
Cooperation with **civil society organizations**, including the Women’s Association of Dunaivtsi, expanded outreach and helped involve new participants through joint initiatives and community events.
The engagement of stakeholders at different levels increased the project’s visibility, strengthened partnerships, and ensured that the initiative could continue developing through cooperation between local authorities, civil society, and community members.
The “Anthill” project used a transdisciplinary approach that combined social sciences, psychology, education, and arts.
Community organizers helped design inclusive activities and support the integration of internally displaced persons and veterans. Psychologists provided emotional support through art therapy and resilience workshops. Educators and trainers organized learning activities for youth, while artists led creative workshops and cultural events.
This collaboration between different fields helped create a holistic program that strengthens community cohesion, well-being, and active participation.
Community organizers helped design inclusive activities and support the integration of internally displaced persons and veterans. Psychologists provided emotional support through art therapy and resilience workshops. Educators and trainers organized learning activities for youth, while artists led creative workshops and cultural events.
This collaboration between different fields helped create a holistic program that strengthens community cohesion, well-being, and active participation.
The **“Anthill”** project operates through a community-based model supported by local government, partnerships, and civic engagement. The **Dunaivtsi City Council** provides organizational support and infrastructure, while local NGOs and volunteers contribute to the organization of activities and events.
The project’s sustainability is strengthened through partnerships with civil society organizations and active community participation. This collaborative approach allows the center to continue its activities and develop new initiatives over time.
The project’s sustainability is strengthened through partnerships with civil society organizations and active community participation. This collaborative approach allows the center to continue its activities and develop new initiatives over time.
The **“Anthill”** project offers a model that can be easily replicated in other communities. One transferable element is the **community-led approach**, where residents and beneficiaries actively participate in planning activities and decision-making.
Another replicable aspect is the **inclusive integration model**, which brings together internally displaced persons, veterans, youth, and local residents through cultural, educational, and community initiatives.
The project also demonstrates the value of **partnerships between local government, NGOs, and community members**, creating a sustainable support network. These elements can be applied in other municipalities and community centers seeking to strengthen social cohesion and civic participation.
Another replicable aspect is the **inclusive integration model**, which brings together internally displaced persons, veterans, youth, and local residents through cultural, educational, and community initiatives.
The project also demonstrates the value of **partnerships between local government, NGOs, and community members**, creating a sustainable support network. These elements can be applied in other municipalities and community centers seeking to strengthen social cohesion and civic participation.
