Actively spent time, the possibility of social interaction with other teenagers, educational activities and gaining new experiences allows children who had to leave their homes due to the war to undergo psychological rehabilitation. Adaptation in a new environment through creativity, acquaintances and travels helps children not to feel alone and, in addition, to channel energy into learning new knowledge and skills in the field of environmental protection.
As part of the “Safe Holidays with New Friends” program, the NGO “Ekosphera” will hold 10 events during June-August 2023 for the psychological support of children of internally displaced families. Every Friday we will meet in the Uzhhorod Public Library and the Zakarpattia Regional Universal Scientific Library.
Thanks to creative activities, children develop imagination, concentration, intelligence, world perception. In particular, we teach children about European waste management practices, the importance of reducing and sorting waste, the impact of pollution on the environment and the relationships in ecosystems that are being damaged.
Within the program, experts will conduct master classes and quests on the following topics: “Waste reduction”, “Trash sorting and recycling”, “Forest ecosystems”, “Exotics of the city of Uzhhorod”, “Solar energy”, “Birds in the urbanization”. Children will visit the Uzhhorod Botanical Garden, learn to recognize exotic plants that have long become familiar to the city. They will observe waterfowl on the Uzh River with binoculars.
Also, as part of the program, children will visit two medieval castles (Palanok Castle and St. Miklos Castle), where interesting master classes and quests await them. They will also visit two National Natural Parks, where they will be able to get to know the region’s biodiversity, play eco-games and learn teamwork. Thanks to such trips, children from other regions of the country get to know better the culture and nature of Zakarpattia – their new place of residence.
To participate in the program, you must fill out the form: https://forms.gle/WePWP4aTfnfHVNMK8
Classes will be held every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last year, the NGO “Ekosphera” conducted classes with children of internally displaced families within the “Green Vacation” project, which you can learn more about here.
Territory of activity: Zakarpattia region
The goal: to promote the socialization and integration of IDP children into life in a new environment, to provide interesting leisure time during the holiday period by involving them in the circle of peers during creative master classes and educational trips.
Target audience: residents of Uzhhorod, IDP children and adolescents aged 8 to 14 years
Goal 1: to conduct 10 interesting educational activities for children (workshops, games, quests, excursions, etc.) under the “Safe Holidays with new friends” program.
Goal 2: to involve at least 500 IDP children and adolescents in the program.
Results:
- At least 500 IDP children and adolescents will be adapted and integrated into the new environment. We will offer questionnaires to the participants at the beginning of their participation in the project and at the end to understand the impact of the project on IDP children.
- 500 IDP children will get to know better culture and nature of Zakarpattia – their new place of residence.
- 500 IDP children will have an interesting and meaningful vacation, develop imagination, creativity, communication skills, and expand their horizons.
- As a result of the communication campaign, up to 20,000 residents of Uzhhorod and the region will be informed about the project and its results.
Partners: Uzhhorod Public Library and Zakarpattia Regional Universal Scientific Library named after F. Potushnyak.
This publication was prepared within the project “Citizenship for Democratization”, which is carried out by the Institute of Economic Research and Political Consultation with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Ekosphera” and in no way reflects the point of view of the European Union and the Institute of Economic Research and Political Consultation.
