ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization

The PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” community centers in Kharkiv and Dnipro continue to serve as vital hubs for supporting, cohesion, and developing LGBTQI+ communities. Their activities aim to create safe and inclusive spaces where individuals can find support, inspiration, and opportunities for self-fulfillment. In Kharkiv, the center organizes yoga sessions that help participants achieve harmony by working on physical and mental balance. Unique practices, such as standing on nails, are complemented by warm tea gatherings, fostering an atmosphere of trust. Volunteer meetups featuring board games, lectures on engaging topics, and educational events, including trans* community discussions, strengthen the community and expand its opportunities. In Dnipro, special attention has been given to psychological support. Interactive sessions, cognitive distortion analysis workshops, and activities with metaphorical cards have created a safe space for self-reflection and empathy. Social integration was encouraged through thematic evenings, board games, and music events that facilitated networking and teamwork. Educational initiatives, such as the "Rose-Colored Glasses" game conducted in partnership with international organizations, addressed critical social issues and promoted inclusivity. Both centers aim to expand the range of their services and programs, focusing on psychological support, educational initiatives, and social integration. They remain spaces where people find inspiration, support, and opportunities for growth. The events are implemented by the PO "ALLIANCE.GLOBAL", in cooperation with Mercy Corps , with the financial support of the government of Great Britain.

On 6 December, HR specialist Olena Luhova represented the team of ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization at an important event - the General Assembly of the Humanitarian NGO Platform, of which our organization has been a member since April 2023. The day was full of strategic discussions and planning: - We discussed the achievements of 2024; - Identified priorities for 2025-2026; - Voted for important changes to the Charter; - Elected a new Steering Committee. Especially valuable was the exchange of experience with colleagues and the opportunity to join the formation of the Platform's priority areas of activity. 💫 We are proud to be a part of such a powerful community of 108 international and Ukrainian organizations working for positive changes in the field of humanitarian aid. In solidarity with Save the Children International in Ukraine, Paralegals UA, MENTALK, Mercy Corps, Corus International, Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp, Vicki Aken, Liza Baran, Julian Zakrzewski, Tamara Demuria, MA, Yurii Bezkorovainyi, NGO Girls, Dr Yuliya Sporysh, Halyna Skipalska, PhD, Roman Marchenko, Salabai Nataliia, Ionascu Gabriela, Samir Chalhoub (he/him), Cherry Franklin

On 5 December, representatives of ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization Anastasia Hrushetska and Taras Zhvaniia took part in a panel discussion “How to preserve the mental health of LGBTIQ+ people under martial law” as part of the 17th National LGBTIQ+ Conference of Ukraine, which took place on 5-6 December in Kyiv and online. It turned out to be a very frank conversation. All those present noted the deterioration of mental health since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. This is especially noticeable against the backdrop of a double negative impact on LGBTIQ+ people, namely, a combination of the consequences of the war (loss of housing, work, shelling, mobilization activities, etc.) and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity - #SOGI (gender-based, physical and domestic violence, bullying, etc.). The speakers gave examples of professional psychological and psychiatric care for LGBTIQ+ people and answered numerous questions from the participants. In solidarity with the UNAIDS, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Mercy Corps, Queere Nothilfe Ukraine, Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp, Alliance for Public Health, International Medical Corps, Outright International, International Rescue Committee, Project HOPE Ukraine, Corus International, Liza Baran, Vicki Aken, Olha Kornieva, Sofia Jarvis, Robyn Shortall, Amie Bishop, MSW, MPH, Денис Кратт, Paul Jansen, Tamara Demuria, MA, Iryna Koval, Elizabeth Hallinan, Eamonn Murphy, Ionascu Gabriela, Salabai Nataliia, CO "100% LIFE"

The 17th National LGBTIQ+ Conference, which took place in Kyiv and online on December 5-6 and was attended by more than 100 participants and guests, has come to an end. One of the key events of the second day was a large humanitarian session, which consisted of two parts. The first part of the panel discussion titled “Humanitarian Support to Communities in Times of War”, led by the super-experienced Anna Dovgopol, was attended by representatives of the international humanitarian organization Mercy Corps, UN agencies UNAIDS Ukraine, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ukraine and the research organization IMPACT Initiatives Ukraine, where the main focus was on expanding access to humanitarian funding for LGBTIQ+ organizations and the community as a whole, the principles of equal partnership and interaction, as well as the issue of collecting evidence through various studies on LGBTIQ+ issues in the humanitarian sphere. The second part, “Experience in responding to the needs of communities in war,” moderated by Armen Aghajanov, focused on discussing best practices in humanitarian assistance, in particular, the Ukrainian ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization and international organizations Outright International and Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp #DRC, the importance of inclusive approaches to LGBTIQ+ people by partners and donors, and discussing expanding opportunities for cooperation with LGBTIQ+ organizations. Particular attention was paid to humanitarian and psychosocial support for LGBTIQ+ veterans, which was described in detail by Viktor Pylypenko, head of the NGO “Ukrainian LGBT Military and Veterans for Equal Rights”. In solidarity with Queere Nothilfe Ukraine, Paralegals UA, CO "100% LIFE", MENTALK, CARE_Ukraine, International Medical Corps, Liza Baran, Vicki Aken, Sofia Jarvis, Robyn Shortall, Diana Shcherbinina, Dientje van Dongen, Olena Luhova, Eugene Bilotskiy, Yulia Kvasnevska, Eamonn Murphy, Ionascu Gabriela, Salabai Nataliia

Last evening, at a section parallel to regional activism called “Organizational Capacity and Development of Ukrainian NGOs Led by LGBTIQ+ Communities”, we probably talked for the first time about the particular importance of sustainability of LGBTIQ+ organizations and the possibility of their development in the context of war. The event was held as part of the 17th National LGBTIQ+ Conference of Ukraine, which takes place on 5-6 December in Kyiv and online. Olena Luhova, Human Resources (HR) Specialist of the ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization, shared our successful experience of “survival” and development of the national organization in the context of a large-scale invasion, namely: 1. We talked about the importance of effective communication in the team to counteract professional burnout in particular (workshops and team building) and about the emotional state (retreats). 2. Have your own policies and procedures, which gives you a much better chance of receiving funding from donors, including for development. 3. The importance of having an institutional structure and organizational roles in an NGO (i.e., having specialists such as HR, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), procurement, fundraising, etc. 4. Take care of staff training and development (professional and soft skills). 5. We talked about the possibility of having some of the resources that, if necessary, we could spend very quickly on some vital need, without having to ask for permission and without waiting for the donor's approval, because everything needs to be done immediately (so-called “indirect costs”). Participants from different organizations also shared their existing experience, which ensures the institutional capacity of their NGOs. In solidarity with Paralegals UA, MENTALK, Queere Nothilfe Ukraine, Mercy Corps, UNAIDS, Roman Marchenko, Eugene Bilotskiy, Robyn Shortall, Olha Kornieva, Liza Baran, Diana Shcherbinina, Mariia Kuzmychova

On Wednesday, 4 December, we met with colleagues from international and LGBTIQ+ organizations to check our watches, share the latest news and agree on our joint actions to further promote and advocate for civil partnerships for same-sex and different-sex couples in Ukraine. We would like to thank Freedom House Ukraine for organizing the event, Larysa Denysenko for moderating, and Oleh Maksymiak for his leadership role at this meeting. Well, we will continue to discuss these and other issues related to overcoming legislative barriers to the rights of LGBTIQ+ communities at the 17th National LGBTI Conference of Ukraine, which will be held on 5-6 December in a hybrid format and organized by ALLIANCE.GLOBAL, Public Organization and the National LGBTI Consortium. In solidarity with NGO FULCRUM UA, Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Human Rights Centre ZMINA, CO "100% LIFE", Olena Luhova, Olha Kornieva, Ionascu Gabriela, Eugene Bilotskiy, Borys Hrachov

My name is Denys, and my story began with my move to Kharkiv. Like many other internally displaced people, I was looking not just for a safe place but also for new connections, support, and a sense of belonging to a community. That’s how I discovered "ALLIANCE.GLOBAL" – through a friend who recommended their page. While browsing the announcements, I decided to attend one of the events at their local community center. It was a game night featuring board games. Game nights turned out to be a real discovery for me. They not only help me escape daily challenges but also offer a great way to have fun, meet new people, and build friendships. The atmosphere at the community center is incredibly warm and welcoming, making you feel at home right away. Participants can always enjoy tea, coffee, and treats, which adds a cozy touch. As an internally displaced person, the humanitarian aid provided by the organization has been a tremendous support for me. I received vouchers for food and hygiene products, as well as clothing. These essentials not only helped me address immediate needs but also gave me the comforting sense that I’m not alone in this situation. A special highlight has been the access to consultations on HIV and STI prevention, which are available right at the center. I took the opportunity to undergo HIV testing in a private room – everything was confidential, quick, and handled professionally. Now I’m planning to attend other events hosted by the community center, such as movie clubs and psychological support groups led by Taras. These meetings have helped me not only connect with interesting people but also gain valuable knowledge that will benefit me in the future. Today, I feel inspired to live again and look toward the future with confidence. I am deeply grateful to "ALLIANCE.GLOBAL" for their comprehensive support, which addresses all aspects of life – from emotional stability to meeting essential needs. This assistance is provided by the PO "ALLIANCE.GLOBAL", in cooperation with Mercy Corps with the financial support of the government of Great Britain.

Oleksandr joined our group psychological session feeling a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. Like many others, he carried his own struggles, and attending such meetings was a new experience for him. However, within just a few minutes, the friendly atmosphere of the group made him feel at ease. "I couldn’t believe it was possible to feel so comfortable among strangers," Oleksandr shared after the session. Exchanging experiences with other participants helped him realize he wasn’t alone in his challenges, which encouraged him to open up and find support. After the session, Oleksandr decided to continue working on himself and took advantage of the opportunity to receive individual psychological support. During these one-on-one sessions, he discovered new ways to understand his emotions and practical methods for managing stress. "It’s so important to have a space where you can talk and be heard. I feel like I’m finally starting to find inner peace," he confided to his psychologist. In addition to emotional support, Oleksandr received individual financial assistance, which helped him manage his current expenses during a difficult time. This support allowed him to focus on his recovery without the constant worry of financial difficulties. Furthermore, our team provided Oleksandr with humanitarian aid, including essential items for daily living. "Your help is more than just support for me; it’s a chance for a new beginning," he expressed gratefully upon returning to thank us. Thanks to our collective efforts, Oleksandr has strengthened his psychological resilience, regained a sense of stability, and started looking toward the future with hope. This assistance is provided by the PO "ALLIANCE.GLOBAL", in cooperation with Mercy Corps , with the financial support of the government of Great Britain.

PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” became a partner of the second Inclusion Week, organized by Mercy Corps in collaboration with Humanity & Inclusion and NGO “Voice of Romni”. The event brought together Mercy Corps’ implementing partners, including our team. Over three days, participants explored the concept of inclusivity and the creation of accessible conditions to engage diverse communities and population groups. The first day focused on inclusion in the humanitarian sector, particularly supporting persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other vulnerable groups. Participants examined the concept of intersectionality, especially how to work effectively with highly stigmatized and excluded communities. NGO “Voice of Romni” shared its experience in supporting Roma communities, who often face dual discrimination based on ethnicity and socio-economic factors. The organization highlighted its efforts to raise awareness of Roma rights, improve access to education, healthcare, and social services, and combat stigmatization. The second day featured a training session led by Humanity & Inclusion on disability models, appropriate terminology, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. The organization shared its expertise in assisting people in poverty, isolation, conflict, and disaster. The third day was facilitated by trainers from PO “ALLIANCE.GLOBAL” and centered on ensuring equality and sensitivity in working with LGBTQ+ communities. Participants deepened their understanding of inclusion, diversity, and accessibility and developed essential skills for addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in humanitarian programs. Inclusion Week reaffirmed the importance of systematically addressing equality and integrating inclusive practices into all aspects of humanitarian work, particularly in times of crisis. Our LGBTQ+ inclusion training was made possible through the support of Mercy Corps and funding from the UK government.

The ALLIANCE.GLOBAL team participated in a specialized training session in Dnipro and Kharkiv, organized by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp . The event focused on addressing key aspects of gender-based violence (GBV), a pressing issue for many communities in Ukraine. The training program provided a comprehensive analysis of GBV, including its manifestations, root causes, and impact on survivors. Participants learned modern approaches to identifying cases of violence, prevention strategies, and methods for providing safe support. Special attention was given to analyzing the cultural and social contexts that contribute to the spread of violence, as well as effective ways to create safe environments for individuals from diverse communities. With the acquired knowledge and practical skills, our organization is now better equipped to respond to challenges related to GBV and to support the most vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ communities. This training marked a significant step in enhancing empathy and ensuring safety in our work. Let’s unite for change! A firm “no” to gender-based violence and a resounding “yes” to equality and safety for all! The training was made possible by funding from the European Union.