Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine has faced an unprecedented and rapidly growing need to support veterans, women veterans, and their family members. The veteran support ecosystem has expanded quickly, driven by the efforts of civil society organizations, local communities, state institutions, and international partners. While this growth has generated innovation and responsiveness, it has also resulted in fragmentation, uneven coordination, and significant variation in quality and sustainability across regions.
This study was commissioned to provide a system-level analysis of how psychosocial support and reintegration services for veterans are currently organised, coordinated, and delivered, and to identify practical pathways for strengthening the system in the medium and long term.
The purpose of this summary is to present key findings and recommendations in a concise and accessible format for policymakers, practitioners, donors, and potential partners.
The study is based on a qualitative, participatory research design conducted in 2024–2025. It included:
Semi-structured interviews with veteran support specialists, civil society organizations, veteran initiatives, donors, and representatives of public authorities
Focus group discussions with veterans and family members in selected regions
Mapping of coordination practices, service pathways, and institutional arrangements
A validation workshop bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on preliminary findings
Research Geography
The research covered 10 oblasts of Ukraine (Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil), as well as national-level organizations based in Kyiv, ensuring representation of both urban centers and smaller communities.
Research Team
Natalia Harasivka
Research LeadOpen Space Works Ukraineskrow.ecapsnepo%40akvisarah
Sasha Tselishcheva
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Oleh Ovcharenko
Maryana Zaviyska
Svitlana Zuieva
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In Service of Those Who Served: Towards a More Connected Veteran Support Ecosystem in Ukraine
A Validation Workshop titled “In Service of Those Who Served: Understanding the Veteran Support Ecosystem in Ukraine” was held in Kyiv to collectively review and refine the preliminary findings of a nationwide study conducted by Open Space Works Ukraine in partnership with Pro Peace Ukraine and the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center (NaUKMA).