How Can Culture Be Integrated into Recovery Efforts?
A New Free Course for Civil Society Organizations Launches in Ukraine
A new free online course for civil society organizations (CSOs), Cultural and Artistic Practices in Humanitarian Response, is now available in Ukraine. The course aims to help organizations understand how cultural and artistic practices can be integrated into humanitarian and recovery initiatives.
The course was jointly developed by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, East Europe Foundation, the Zrozumilo! Educational Online Platform, and the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine. According to the organizers, the need for such a learning program emerged from practical experience working with organizations that support community recovery and are seeking new approaches to engaging with people.
“Ukraine is shaping a modern, people-centered approach to recovery. Culture helps people process difficult experiences, rebuild trust, restore a sense of belonging, and regain the ability to act together. This course provides civil society organizations with practical tools that can be directly applied in their work with communities,” said Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
The online course was officially presented during the public discussion Culture that Heals: Practices for Communities, held in Kyiv on July 31. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, international partners, civil society and charitable organizations, cultural practitioners, and experts.
“For years, civil society organizations have developed a deep understanding of their communities, including their needs, resources, and the people who live there. This unique experience should be integrated into the broader recovery system alongside government programs and international support. Our course explains why cultural and artistic practices are valuable for CSOs, what forms they can take, who they are designed for, and how they can become part of collective recovery efforts,” said Vira Nedzvedska, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at East Europe Foundation.
Participants emphasized that culture is not a secondary need, even in times of war. On the contrary, it is a vital tool that strengthens humanitarian efforts and contributes to the long-term recovery of communities.
The discussion also explored how approaches to humanitarian response evolve during a prolonged war and the role that people-centered solutions play in supporting social ties, cohesion, and community recovery.
“Switzerland has consistently supported Ukraine’s civil society sector, the implementation of innovations at all levels, and the development of new approaches to humanitarian response and recovery. I am convinced that cultural and artistic practices should be part of these processes, whether in therapeutic recovery work with vulnerable groups, the creation of community spaces, or many other initiatives that help communities heal and amplify the impact of humanitarian projects,” said Oleh Masyk, Humanitarian Aid Program Coordinator at the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
Experts also discussed how cultural and artistic practices engage people with diverse life experiences and shared examples of their impact. Actor and film director Akhtem Seitablaiev, Artistic Director of the Veterans’ Theatre, explained how theatre helps veterans not only process their experiences but also regain confidence and improve their quality of life.
He shared the stories of theatre participants. Veteran Yehor Babenko, who suffered severe burns during the war, later became a military psychologist and a well-known blogger after taking part in theatre projects. Maia, a combat medic who barely left her home for almost a year after returning from the front line, went on to become a world-record holder in archery among veterans after training at the Veterans’ Theatre. According to Seitablaiev, such stories demonstrate how culture can help people rebuild self-confidence, reconnect with others, and return to active life.
Another theatre participant, Andrii Onopriienko, took to the stage after sustaining a severe injury despite significant physical limitations. During performances, he relies on music, rhythm, and audio cues to deliver his lines. Seitablaiev noted that the theatre helped Andrii relearn how to work as part of a team, and his story continues to inspire others.
Oksana Dovhopolova, Professor at Kyiv School of Economics and co-founder and curator of the Past / Future / Art memory culture platform, highlighted the role of art in working with memory and trauma. She stressed that art should not be equated with psychosocial support. According to Dovhopolova, culture does not always create a comfortable environment or provide ready-made answers. Instead, it helps individuals make sense of their experiences, ask important questions, discover new meanings, and reconnect with their identity. This is precisely why cultural practices are an essential component of recovery for both communities and individuals affected by war.
The course Cultural and Artistic Practices in Humanitarian Response is already available free of charge on the Zrozumilo! Educational Online Platform. The program consists of four thematic modules and fourteen short video lectures.
It will be valuable for representatives of civil society, charitable, and volunteer organizations, cultural managers, community activists, and anyone involved in humanitarian response and community recovery.
The course was developed as part of the "Capable and Resistant" program, implemented by East Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland, and in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine. The course is also part of the cross-sectoral platform CuRe ("Culture in Recovery").