Ukrainian refugees, with their diverse skills and experiences, can contribute significantly to supporting their fellow Ukrainians in various ways. Here are some examples:

Community building

• • Organizing social events, cultural gatherings, and online communities to foster connections and a sense of belonging.

  • Creating support groups for individuals dealing with specific challenges like trauma, loss, or loneliness.

  • Volunteering at local organizations that support Ukrainian refugees.

Skill sharing and workshops

• • Conducting workshops on topics like language learning, job searching, resume writing, and financial literacy.

  • Sharing knowledge and expertise in fields such as IT, education, healthcare, and arts.

  • Organizing online courses or webinars for those who cannot attend in-person events.

Advocacy and awareness

• • Raising awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine through social media campaigns, or public speaking.

  • Advocating for policies that support Ukrainian refugees and promote their integration into host communities.

  • Collaborating with local and international organizations to amplify the voices of Ukrainian refugees.

Translation and interpretation

• • Providing language services for those who need assistance with communication, documentation, or legal proceedings.

  • Translating important information and resources into Ukrainian to ensure accessibility.

Digital support

• • Designing and maintaining websites and social media pages for Ukrainian refugee organizations and initiatives.

  • Creating online resources and tools to facilitate communication and information sharing.

  • Offering technical support and training to those who are less familiar with technology.

Mentorship and peer support

• • Providing guidance and support to fellow refugees who are navigating new challenges, such as finding housing, employment, or education opportunities.

  • Sharing personal experiences and advice to help others overcome obstacles and build resilience.

We are exploring the concept of community sponsorship and how it can empower Ukrainian refugees who aspire to assist their fellow refugees but require local community support to realize their goals. 

Are you a Ukrainian refugee with a passion for aiding others? Perhaps you possess valuable skills or knowledge that could benefit fellow refugees, but lack the resources or local network to make a tangible difference. This is where community sponsorship comes into play.

• Identifying needs and resources

A first step involves clearly identifying the specific needs of the refugee community that your initiative aims to address. Simultaneously, assessing available resources within the local community is very important. This includes potential financial support, volunteer networks, and access to relevant facilities or services.

• Leveraging existing support systems

Connecting with local organizations, churches, or community groups can provide access to existing support systems, including financial aid, volunteer coordination, and logistical assistance.

• Building partnerships and collaborations

Connecting with those already engaged in refugee support can provide invaluable guidance and resources. Establishing partnerships with them can amplify the impact of the refugee-led initiative.

• Raising awareness and engaging the community

Sharing the initiative's vision and goals with the broader community can garner support and attract volunteers or donors. Utilizing local media, social platforms, or community events can effectively raise awareness and mobilize local resources.

• Empowering refugee leadership

The initiative can be driven by the Ukrainian refugee's vision and leadership, with the local community providing support and resources to facilitate its success. This ensures that the initiative remains culturally sensitive and directly addresses the needs of the refugee community.

By embracing the principles of community sponsorship, local communities can empower Ukrainian refugees to become agents of change and support their peers in navigating all sorts of challenges. This approach fosters a sense of belonging, amplifies the impact of refugee-led initiatives, and strengthens the social fabric of the community as a whole.

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP

Community sponsorship is a model where a group of individuals or organizations commit to supporting a refugee or refugee family. This support can encompass various aspects, including:

• Practical assistance: helping with housing, employment, language learning, and accessing essential services.

• Emotional support: offering friendship, companionship, and a listening ear.

• Cultural integration: facilitating connections with the local community and helping to navigate cultural differences.

DIACONAL PRINCIPLE OF CONVIVIALITY

The diaconal principle of conviviality is rooted in Christian theology and emphasizes the importance of shared life and hospitality. In the context of supporting Ukrainian refugee initiatives, this principle can be applied in the following ways:

• Creating welcoming spaces: Fostering environments where Ukrainian refugees feel safe, valued, and empowered to share their experiences and skills.

• Encouraging mutual support: Promoting peer-to-peer support networks among Ukrainian refugees, recognizing their unique strengths and abilities.

• Building relationships: Facilitating meaningful connections between Ukrainian refugees and the broader community, fostering understanding and empathy.

• Sharing resources: Providing access to resources and opportunities that can help Ukrainian refugees to thrive and contribute to their new communities.

Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Initiatives

By combining community sponsorship and the diaconal principle of conviviality, it is possible to create a supportive and empowering environment for Ukrainian refugees who want to support their peers. Here are some specific ways local communities can support these initiatives:

1. Identify and connect.

Identify Ukrainian refugees who have the skills and desire to support their peers. Connect them with other refugees who could benefit from their expertise.

2. Provide training and resources.

Offer training on mentoring, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills. Provide access to resources such as language learning materials, cultural information, and legal advice.

3. Facilitate networking opportunities.

Organize events and workshops where Ukrainian refugees can connect with each other and with members of the broader community.

4. Offer ongoing support.

Provide ongoing support to refugees who support their peers, including regular check-ins, training, and access to mental health services.

5. Celebrate achievements.

Recognize and celebrate the contributions of Ukrainian refugees. This can help to boost their confidence and motivate others to get involved.

My name is Olena, and my hometown is Kharkiv, Ukraine. In 2022, after the start of the full-scale war, my son and I came to Finland, where we received temporary shelter.

I have two educational backgrounds—one in pedagogy and one in pharmacy—and I also completed training as a tour guide. Before the war, I worked in Kharkiv on my own tourism project, the "Intellectual Travel Initiative." I developed unique routes, often involving well-known scientists and local historians. The purpose of the project, beyond recreation, was to popularise science, as science is the driving force of the 21st century. I never imagined that war would come to my homeland.

We settled in Oulu, northern Finland, as friends from Kharkiv were already there. Remembering the first months here is difficult, as everything was a blur: constant news of shelling, bombings of peaceful Ukrainian cities where friends and family remained, and reports of destruction and mining of architectural monuments, national parks, and reserves where I’d once led tours. Being in a foreign environment was also highly stressful. Emigrating out of necessity, rather than choice, left me questioning my identity: in Ukraine, I understood my mission and loved my work, my colleagues, and my clients. In Finland, despite its rich culture and traditions, it felt as if my life had been “reset.”

I sought methods to help me cope. I’ve always been interested in ethnography, exploring cultures and nature, so my son and I started taking small day trips by bike, generously provided by a Finnish family. We visited the Sami Museum and the Arktikum Science Centre in Lapland. As I developed practical travel logistics, I began volunteering by meeting women and children fleeing the war, helping them settle in, and organising trips to places like Rovaniemi, the residence of Joulupukki. These joyful experiences helped reduce stress and allowed children who’d seen the horrors of war to believe in magic again.

I continued volunteering at SOS-Lapsikylä, where my colleagues and I support Ukrainian children through an anonymous chat. Gradually, I began to feel more hopeful. I enrolled in courses, where I met Elena L. from the organisation "Vamos." Her guidance and advice greatly facilitated my integration. Together with another woman from Kharkiv, who had also fled with her daughter, we organised a "teleconference" between the tourism centres of Kharkiv and Oulu, enabling cultural and experiential exchange. This was rewarding for both Ukrainian and Finnish audiences, giving us valuable organisational experience.

Now, I am developing walking tours of Oulu in Ukrainian for newly arrived Ukrainians, as well as for Finns learning Ukrainian. This work revitalises me and supports my integration into Finnish life.

This publication focuses on the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church's (EELC) efforts to provide various forms of aid to Ukrainian war refugees and their homeland since the beginning of the war in February 2022. The document includes articles and interviews with various individuals involved in the EELC's aid efforts.

Highlights

• Pastoral counseling: The publication highlights the establishment of a voluntary network of pastoral counselors to provide emotional, spiritual, and mental support to Ukrainian refugees. Katri Aaslav-Tepandi, Chief Chaplain, explains the role of pastoral counselors and emphasizes the importance of understanding the refugees' spiritual, religious, and cultural needs.

• Accommodation and support: Avo Üprus, Director of the EELC Diakonia and Social Work Foundation, details the EELC's efforts to provide accommodation for war refugees, with Estonian congregations offering housing for approximately 300 people. The publication also describes the establishment of a day center for Ukrainian children in Tartu.

• Personal experiences: The publication features personal accounts of individuals involved in the EELC's aid efforts, including:

  • Annely Neame, coordinator of pastoral counseling for the North region, who discusses the challenges and rewards of supporting war refugees.

  • Nelli Vassila, coordinator for the South region, who shares her experiences of providing pastoral care to refugees in Tartu and highlights the importance of ecumenical cooperation.

  • Siimon Haamer, President of the Home of Hope, who recounts his experience of providing accommodation and support to refugee families.

  • Lea Saar, who runs a day center for Ukrainian refugee families in Tartu, emphasizes the importance of humanity and understanding in helping those who have suffered a disaster.

  • Ants Tooming, Provost of Tartu, who explains the St. Peter's congregation's approach to providing financial support directly to those in need in Ukraine.

  • Ove Sander, Rector of the Institute of Theology, who shares his personal experience of supporting a Ukrainian refugee family and outlines the broader network of aid for Ukraine.

  • Tiiu Roosma, board member of the Risti congregation, who describes their experience of housing refugee families and highlights the importance of integration and understanding.

  • Avo Üprus, Reverend of Harkujärve Church, who recounts their congregation's efforts to provide accommodation and support to refugees.

• Family story: A compelling story of the Tkatchuk family, who fled from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, and found refuge in the Rannamõisa congregation. Their story illustrates the challenges, fears, and resilience of Ukrainian refugees.

• Christian values: Throughout this publication, the authors emphasize the importance of Christian values, such as love, compassion, and empathy in supporting Ukrainian refugees and their homeland. This publication portrays the EELC's response as a natural expression of their faith and commitment to helping those in need.

This publication, titled "Towards a Diaconal Church," examines the Harkujärve Parish in Estonia and its innovative approach to community engagement. Located just outside Tallinn, Harkujärve Parish exemplifies a model of a "diaconal church," actively serving the needs of its community and fostering social cohesion.

Key Points and Insights

• Community Hub

Originally built and intended as a family and children's church, Harkujärve Church was initially owned by the Episcopal Church until 2011. However, due to limited local engagement and financial constraints, the church was left vacant. Recognizing its potential, Avo Üprus, along with three other families, purchased and renovated the church, transforming it into a vibrant community center.

• Addressing Community Needs Through Dialogue

The church leaders prioritized understanding the needs of local residents. Through conversations and events, they identified crucial needs like childcare for young children, after-school activities for students, and spaces for social gatherings. The church responded by establishing a childcare center, offering diverse activities such as dance, crafts, and robotics, and creating spaces for community interaction.

• Collaboration Over Competition

Harkujärve Church emphasizes collaboration with other congregations, local municipalities, and organizations. They believe in working together to maximize resources and avoid duplicating efforts. This collaborative approach enables them to offer a wider range of services and effectively address the community's evolving needs.

• The Church as a Catalyst for Social Good

The publication challenges the perception of the church as outdated or irrelevant. Harkujärve Church demonstrates that the church can be a powerful force for social good, providing essential services, fostering community spirit, and promoting inclusivity.

• Open Doors and Inclusive Services

The church operates as a welcoming space for all, regardless of their faith or background. The numerous activities and services provided, from childcare and disability support to cultural events and drama classes, cater to a diverse range of needs and interests.

• Personal Testimonies Highlighting Impact

The publication includes firsthand accounts from various individuals, including community leaders, service users, visitors, and church members. These testimonies provide powerful insights into the positive impact of the church's community-centered approach.

• Financial Sustainability and Resourcefulness

The church demonstrates resourcefulness in securing funding through a combination of EU grants, local municipality support, and donations. This diversified approach ensures the financial sustainability of their programs and services.

• Adaptability and Responsiveness to Change

The church's willingness to adapt its services based on community feedback and evolving needs is a key factor in its success. Examples include shifting from general childcare to specialized care for children with disabilities and responding to environmental concerns by advocating for the preservation of a local forest.

• Meeting Spiritual and Social Needs

While prioritizing social outreach and community engagement, the church remains committed to its spiritual function. Regular worship services, baptisms, confirmations, and funerals continue alongside its social initiatives, illustrating the church's holistic approach to serving the community.

• A Model for Revitalizing Church Spaces

Harkujärve Parish offers a model for revitalizing church spaces and redefining the role of the church in contemporary society. By embracing a diaconal approach, churches can become vital hubs for community development, social support, and spiritual growth.

In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, the support network at the Diaconia Centre of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (DC) not only supports refugees but also assists Ukrainian soldiers receiving rehabilitation or hospital care in Latvia, organises camps for children who come from Ukraine to Latvia and then return, and provides aid to the Ukrainian army. The team is multicultural, with local staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including Ukrainians. 

Ukrainian refugees serve as project managers at the DC central hub and as educators in various support centres across Riga. They run multiple projects and community initiatives for Ukrainian adults, children, and families. Among these is "Avots", a new support centre specifically for Ukrainian refugees that opened in June 2024. "Avots" is an initiative led by Ukrainian refugees for Ukrainian refugees. At "Avots," they now offer a range of activities for Ukrainian refugees, including group work with a psychologist, creative master classes, collective legal consultations with a lawyer, conversational Latvian classes, and a film club.