NGO “The Tenth of April” took part in the forum “Recover Together. The Southern Vector” in Odesa. The meeting brought together representatives of the government, local communities, businesses, and international partners to discuss pathways for recovery and sustainable development in southern Ukraine.
Among keynote speakers are Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the Kherson Regional State Administration; UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale; and other high-level officials and partners.
The president of NGO "The Tenth of April", Maryna Kurochkina, served as the moderator of a panel discussion together with representatives of international humanitarian organizations currently working in southern Ukraine. They discussed international partnership as an essential component of recovery:
- Nina Maia Schrepfer (UNHCR) shared how rights-based and socially inclusive principles can be integrated into regional recovery programs in the Kherson region.
- Robert Turner (IOM) spoke about IOM’s experience in combining social recovery with physical reconstruction to ensure people’s safe return home and rebuild their lives.
- Dr. Michael Fazekas (SECI) highlighted how the initiative can strengthen local capacity and leadership in communities in post-war recovery, and whether Kherson could become a model for Southeast Europe.
- Natalia Zubchenko (The Hansen Ukrainian Mission Foundation) shared how the foundation involves aid recipients in housing construction projects and helps build communities through participation.
- Juan Pedro Scherer (ICRC) explained how the organization sets priorities in restoring critical infrastructure in the Kherson region and which practices proved effective in engaging local communities in ICRC recovery programs.
- And most importantly — how local communities can participate in international partners’ recovery initiatives.
"True recovery starts with local leadership — with communities that take ownership and know best what their people need. International partners and donors play a vital role — not only by providing resources but by bringing trust, expertise, and confidence.
When international support strengthens local initiative, we create not just reconstruction but renewal." — Maryna Kurochkina.
We are grateful to the organizers for arranging the event and for the invitation:
the Regional Development Agency “European Integration Office” of Kherson region, with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region, and the Kherson Oblast Administration
We believe that sincere and constructive dialogue contributes to collective efforts that bring real change.