Suzir’ya: Looking Back on an Incredible Journey

Suzirya-Blog

As we approach the conclusion of the reporting period for the Suzir’ya: Ukraine Child Trafficking & Core Crime Prevent and Accountability Project, supported by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), I want to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared. This project has showcased the resilience, dedication and collaboration of countless individuals, including child helpline counsellors in the region and organizations committed to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of children affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Suzir’ya means “constellation” in Ukrainian. It embodies the project’s aim of fostering national and transnational cooperation and partnerships across sectors and agencies and embracing innovative solutions.

Suzir’ya strives to provide essential protection, support and access to justice for children displaced from Ukraine in Europe.

On 4 December 2024 we hosted the final sub-regional online meeting as part of the project. This event marked the culmination of a series of impactful activities that took place between October and December last year. Stakeholders from Slovakia, Romania, Poland and Ukraine came together, building on earlier initiatives such as the Sub-Regional Meeting in Copenhagen on 8-9 October, two multidisciplinary online workshops on 24 October and 7 November, and a Learning Exchange in Warsaw on 25-26 November. These activities have been invaluable for sharing experiences, addressing challenges, and exploring innovative child protection solutions in this complex context.

Key Discussions from the Sub-Regional Online Meeting

The meeting began with a presentation by Alexandra Malangone, Project Director for Europe at KIND. She provided a comprehensive overview of Suzir’ya’s achievements, focusing on the creation of multidisciplinary hubs and the provision of quality legal and specialist support for children affected by trafficking and conflict-related crimes. Alexandra also emphasized the importance of skills training and adopting child-centred approaches to documenting and addressing core crimes.

During my presentation as the project coordinator, I highlighted the integration of Suzir’ya into the third phase of Children’s Voices Ukraine. I shared how child helplines have played a pivotal role in addressing the needs of children impacted by the war, underlining the lessons we’ve learned and the importance of sustained support moving forward.

Project participants also shared diverse perspectives:

  • Cătălina Surcel, from Asociația Telefonul Copilului in Romania, emphasized the value of accessibility and the unified European child helpline number, 116 111. She highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships and ongoing collaboration beyond the war.
  • Yuliia Nosenko, the Ukrainian counsellor from the Empowering Children Foundation which hosts the child helpline Telefon Zaufania in Poland reflected on the emotional toll of frontline work, advocating for enhanced self-care practices to ensure effective support.
  • Táňa Ivanič Rybanská, from Linka Detskej Istoty (Child Safety Line) in Slovakia, celebrated successes in reaching Ukrainian communities, including the impactful LET’S READ 2024 marathon, which engaged 100,000 participants and distributed materials in 19 languages.
  • Nelia Troichuk, from La Strada in Ukraine, spoke about the logistical and emotional challenges professionals face. She emphasized the efforts La Strada makes to implement psychological safety measures, such as retreats and specialized training, to address counsellor burnout.

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

The Suzir’ya project has significantly contributed to strengthening child protection systems by expanding resources and fostering cross-border collaboration. Initiatives like this empower child protection services, such as child helplines and local stakeholders, to share experiences and improve their response during crises.

Although we are currently concluding this project, the war is still a reality. As a network, we must ensure that the lessons and partnerships from this project guide future efforts. The psychological, educational, and social scars carried by children demand our unwavering commitment.

A Note of Gratitude

As we close this chapter, I extend heartfelt thanks to KIND for their invaluable support, as well as to every individual and organization involved in Suzir’ya. Together, we’ve demonstrated that even during the most difficult times, the collective efforts of Child Helpline International members, supporters and partners can create light and hope.

While this blog post marks the end of our reporting period, it is not the end of our mission. The children and young people of Ukraine – and children facing crises worldwide – deserve a future of safety, dignity and hope. We remain steadfast in our dedication to this cause.

Ana Rodrigues
Project Coordinator