In Vyshneva, public spaces are gradually being brought back to life. After the de-occupation, residents restored the park, equipped recreation areas, organized open-air film screenings, and created space for children in a local club. Each such initiative helped people gather together again, communicate and participate in village life.
Vyshneva was under Russian occupation from February 25 to September 11, 2022. During the fighting and occupation, the village suffered destruction. After the liberation, the community was faced with the task of restoring daily life and creating conditions in which people could receive the necessary support and remain involved in local affairs. According to local media, in August 2026, about 353 people lived in Vyshneva, among them 95 internally displaced people.
Today, the lives of the community continue to be affected by the effects of the war. Shelling of energy infrastructure in Kharkiv region causes interruptions in electricity supply. For the Savynska community, the issue of access to electricity is of particular importance, since the operation of critical infrastructure facilities, in particular water supply systems, depends on it. In October 2026, the community received grant support for the installation of solar panels for the water intake well in Vyshneva.
At the level of everyday life, power outages create other difficulties. People may lose the ability to charge the phone, get up-to-date information, use digital services or wait for a consultation under the usual conditions. Such restrictions are particularly noticeable for the elderly, people with disabilities, families with children and internally displaced persons.
It was these needs that the initiative group “Step to Development” paid attention to. Together with the residents and with the support of the local authorities, the group proposed to equip an autonomous public space in the administrative building of the Vyshneva starosta district. Its purpose is to create an accessible place where people can get the information they need, charge their mobile devices, use administrative services, and join in joint meetings and training activities.
How public space will work
The space will be arranged in the premises of the starosta district. For its operation, equipment is provided that will help maintain basic conditions during power outages.
The EcoFlow portable power station will provide backup power for lighting and charging mobile devices. This opportunity is of practical importance for residents who need to stay in touch with their relatives, receive messages from local authorities and use their phone to access important information.
The laptop will be used during information and training sessions, digital literacy classes, activities on psychological safety and the prevention of gender-based violence. The multifunction printer will allow you to print and copy information materials, memos and contacts of help services.
An information board will display announcements, contacts of emergency and social services, safety recommendations and information about available services. This format will help people quickly find relevant information, in particular those who have limited access to digital communication channels.
Furniture is provided for meetings and waiting. An electric hot-water dispenser will provide access to hot water during power and heating outages. In the room there is also a place with a first-aid kit.
It is expected that more than 350 residents of Vyshneva and surrounding areas will be able to use the space. Potential visitors include internally displaced persons, older people, people with disabilities, families with children and young people.
An initiative that unites residents
The initiative group “Step to Development” joined the implementation of the project. Its participants coordinate communication with residents, dissemination of information and arrangement of the premises. Local authorities provide the premises of the starosta district and support the organizational processes.
The community will also be involved in preparing the space, installing equipment, cleaning and resolving logistical issues.
The “Island of Safety and Connection” project should be another practical step in restoring the public life of Vyshneva. Its result will be an accessible place for information, communication, meetings and basic support in the face of war challenges.
The visualisation illustrates the project’s concept and planned activities; it does not show the completed project.
The project is implemented by the NGO “Agency of Local Initiatives”, at the initiative of community residents and with the support of local authorities. The mini-grants are implemented as part of the project “Strengthening Community Resilience through Support for Community Initiatives”, with financial support from the international humanitarian organisation HEKS/EPER (Switzerland), in coordination with the International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health”, and with financial support from NCA (Norwegian Church Aid).
