On August 7, OlamAid together with the women-led Roma organization Voice of Romni celebrated the opening of a new Community Hive in Zaporizhzhia. The space was designed and equipped in cooperation with Avalyst NGO and architectural partner Arch4UA as part of OlamAid’s Community Hives initiative in Ukraine.
The Community Hives project, carried out in cooperation with ZWST and funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft, supports vulnerable groups in Ukraine, including internally displaced persons, minorities, women, children, and the civilian population at the front. Each Hive is created to serve as a safe and inclusive place for community activities, psychosocial support, and resilience building.
The grand opening in Zaporizhzhia was attended by representatives of local authorities and community institutions, including the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Zaporizhzhia Region, the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration, and the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services. Community members also joined the event.
The atmosphere was warm and inspiring. Speakers emphasized the importance of creating welcoming and safe spaces where people can learn, find support, and strengthen community ties.
"Such inclusive spaces are crucial for building resilience and trust, especially for minority groups in Ukraine” said Mr. Mykhailo Volkov, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Zaporizhzhia Region.
For the local community, which is located close to the combat zone, the new Hive offers not only physical safety but also opportunities for empowerment, participation, and mutual support. This opening marks an important step in strengthening networks of solidarity and inclusion in Zaporizhzhia.
OlamAid will continue to collaborate with Voice of Romni and other partners in expanding the Hive initiative to other regions of Ukraine, ensuring that vulnerable communities have safe places where they can connect, heal, and thrive.
