Ukraine: Rooted in resilience — Partnering with civil society in frontline Kherson

Even in the early hours, the streets of Kherson feel deserted. The city bears visible scars of war. Most windows are sealed with plywood. We pass the skeleton of a small grocery store — its sign still hanging, but the walls caved in. People move quickly between buildings. Without urgent need, no one lingers outside. 

We are here to visit our local partner, Misto Syly (City of Power) — an organisation DRC has worked with since 2023. The goal of the visit is simple, but essential: to listen. To hear how the organisation is navigating daily risks, what challenges they face, and how we can continue to support their efforts to serve communities under fire. 

Local response in local hands

Misto Syly was founded in 2022 in response to the humanitarian crisis in Kherson Oblast. In its earliest days, the team of volunteers used personal funds to bring food, medicine, and protective gear to people trapped by active fighting. Over time, they began to formalise their work — and receive support from national and international organisations. 

When DRC first partnered with Misto Syly in 2023, it was clear that the team brought deep local knowledge, trusted community relationships, and a strong will to act. 

“They were already doing the work — quickly, flexibly, and under enormous pressure,” says Tetiana Albrekht, a DRC Partnership Team Leader. “Our role was to help them grow — not replace them.” 

Together, DRC and Misto Syly launched shelter rehabilitation activities, support for people with disabilities, emergency household repairs, and outreach to communities recovering from the Kakhovka dam disaster.

Partnership beyond projects 

With funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DMFA) and other donors, DRC also invests in the organisation’s long-term capacity. The Misto Syly team now works across multiple sectors, from shelter to protection. They’ve opened Kherson’s first inclusive centre for women and children, launched psychosocial support activities, and formalised internal procedures—from HR to finance to communications.

“It’s not only about emergency response,” says Yevhen Hilin, founder and director of Misto Syly. “We want to rebuild our region. And that means decisions must be made by those who live here.”

During the March 2025 visit, Julian Zakrzewski, DRC’s Country Director in Ukraine met with the team in their Kherson office to learn more about their vision for the future. The conversation focused not only on programming but also on the sustainability of local structures — how to retain staff, maintain services during shelling, and develop long-term planning in a context where the frontline may shift at any time.

Building together — with trust

DRC’s approach to localisation in Ukraine is built on the belief that local organisations should have the space not only to implement, but also to lead. This takes time, trust, and consistent support—particularly in places like Kherson, where the risks are high and the needs continue to evolve.

“Supporting local organisations isn’t about quick fixes,” said Julian Zakrzewski, DRC’s Country Director in Ukraine. “It’s about standing alongside those who stay and serve their communities, day after day.”