Ukrainian NGO Zhiva-Ya Study Visit to Slovenia

From 2nd to 5th October 2024, 15 trainers from the Ukrainian NGO Zhiva-Ya visited Slovenia as part of the “Mental Health and Psychosocial Assistance (MHPSA) to Children and Their Families” project. This initiative, implemented through ITF and with support of Slovene Philanthropy, is made possible with the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia (MFEA Slovenia), the United States Department of State, and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The project is aimed at providing vital psychosocial support to children and families affected by the conflict in Ukraine, so the visit was an important opportunity to exchange the knowledge between humanitarian practitioners, and also to strengthen the partnership between Slovenia and Ukraine. 

Partnership with Slovene Philanthropy and Faculty of Education, Ljubljana 

The visit began with a meeting at Slovene Philanthropy, where trainers from Zhiva-Ya and their Slovenian counterparts discussed strategies for providing mental health care to children affected by the war, particularly in Ukraine's Izmail region. The discussions centered on how localized support models can enable communities to deliver sustainable mental health services, even amidst crisis. This exchange of ideas highlighted the importance of partnerships in delivering essential humanitarian aid, especially in conflict-affected regions. A key focus of such initiatives is localization—empowering and training local organizations like Zhiva-Ya to continue their critical work effectively within their own communities. 

Following this, the delegation visited the Faculty of Education at the University of Ljubljana. Trainers from Zhiva-Ya shared their experiences and provided details about their psychosocial support project in Ukraine with Slovenian students. They offered firsthand insights into the challenges of delivering mental health services in conflict zones, particularly the difficulties faced by children in Ukraine, and discussed how such initiatives are helping them cope with the traumas of war. 

A special guest at the Faculty was Dr. Anica Mikuš Kos, a renowned expert in the field of child psychiatry from warzones and a longstanding supporter of humanitarian action through psychosocial aid. Dr. Mikuš Kos has been working with ITF since 2007, primarily in regions like Kosovo* and the Gaza Strip. Her deep expertise in this field, developed over decades of work in post-conflict environments, provided crucial insights during the exchange. Dr. Mikuš Kos’s involvement further underscored Slovenia’s strong commitment to supporting mental health efforts in Ukraine. 

The visit also featured the screening of a short documentary, “Resisting Destruction”, which presents Slovenia’s psychosocial activities in Ukraine. The documentary helped illustrate the shared commitment to supporting vulnerable communities affected by the war, and it can be viewed online here. 

Reception with the President of the Republic of Slovenia 

An honorable highlight of the visit was the delegation’s reception at the Office of the President of Slovenia. President Nataša Pirc Musar personally welcomed the representatives of Zhiva-Ya and took the time to listen to their stories, many of which were deeply moving. She expressed Slovenia’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine, emphasizing how Slovenia would continue to stand by the Ukrainian people during this critical period. Her promise of Slovenia’s continued support resonated deeply with the delegation, reaffirming the importance of international partnerships in addressing the psychological toll of conflict. 

On the side of this visit, ITF Director, Amb. Tomaž Lovrenčič, presented the President with a painting from Ruslan, a victim of the ongoing war in Ukraine, who draw it for her when she visited Lviv, Ukraine in June 2024. Ruslan received a prosthetic arm and rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center, which was made possible through support from MFEA Slovenia. 

Visit to Primary School Livada 

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit Primary School Livada in Ljubljana. Upon arrival, they were first greeted by Dr. Aleš Musar, spouse of the President of Slovenia, who had met with the Zhiva-Ya team during his visit to Ukraine in early September of this year. The reunion was marked by a shared sense of purpose and commitment, as Dr. Musar warmly welcomed the team once again, this time in Slovenia. The visit allowed the Ukrainian visitors to witness how inclusive education is practiced in Slovenia, and how similar approaches could benefit children in Ukraine, especially those who have been displaced due to the ongoing war. Schools like Livada, which promote inclusive environments, play a critical role in fostering resilience and mental health recovery in children affected by conflict. 

Why Projects Like This Matter 

The ongoing war in Ukraine has left deep psychological scars on children—the most vulnerable members of society. Mental health services are essential for helping these children recover from the trauma of war, and projects like this one are critical in providing the care they need. The focus on localization ensures that communities have the tools, knowledge, and support to recover and rebuild in the long term and by empowering local organizations such as Zhiva-Ya, we ensure that sustainable support systems are established within communities. Local organizations play a crucial role, as they are best positioned to understand the needs of their own communities and deliver effective, culturally appropriate support. Projects like this not only provide immediate psychosocial support but also help build the capacity of local actors to continue delivering services in their own environments, even after international involvement wanes.  

Looking Ahead 

The partnership between ITF, Slovene Philanthropy, and Zhiva-Ya will continue to play an important role in offering much-needed mental health and psychosocial assistance to children and families in Ukraine. These efforts will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, both in the immediate humanitarian response and in the development of long-term resilience within affected communities. 

We are grateful to MFEA Slovenia, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for their generous support, which makes this project possible. It is crucial that the international community continues to focus on mental health and psychosocial support for Ukraine’s children. Their future depends on it.