The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Astarta-Kyiv Agro Holding and Believe in Yourself Charitable Foundation. The aim of the cooperation is to improve social services for vulnerable groups, support mental health, and increase the cohesion and social capacity of municipalities to overcome the challenges of war. The focus of the cooperation is on internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans and families of the military, people with disabilities, low-income and elderly people.

Important goals are planned to be achieved, in particular, within the framework of the Resilience Centres project, part of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme initiated by the First Lady Olena Zelenska. Astarta and the Believe in Yourself Charitable Foundation are going to contribute to the development of the Resilience Centres model and its implementation in the municipalities of business operations.

Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Viktor Ivanchyk, CEO of Astarta, and Svitlana Mozgova, Head of the Believe in Yourself Charitable Foundation, signed the memorandum.

According to Oksana Zholnovych, the head of the Ministry, it is important for both the state and business to strengthen the resilience of municipalities, build local societies to help diversify life and give people an incentive to develop.

"One such solution is the creation of Resilience Centres, platforms where various social services are provided. In particular, our cooperation is focused on rural residents, who, unfortunately, have fewer services and supports than urban residents," the Minister said.

For Astarta, this cooperation is an opportunity to make the most of its potential and experience to help municipalities overcome the consequences of the war and lay the foundation for social well-being and stability.

"The development of a new social service system, mental health support and protection of the vulnerable population will contribute to the resilience and capacity of municipalities. We are convinced that such complex tasks can only be effectively addressed in partnership between the state and business. We have a good understanding of the challenges and needs of local residents, as we have worked in municipalities for over thirty years and implemented dozens of social initiatives. As part of the project, we are going to support the establishment of Resilience Centres in the municipalities where we operate," said Astarta CEO Viktor Ivanchyk.

The Believe in Yourself Charitable Foundation is going to contribute to the development of the Centre model, conduct a nationwide survey of the municipalities' needs, and propose an assessment model for the social impact of the Project.

"We will apply the best international practices in researching the needs and assessing the social impact of the Resilience Centres on the well-being of vulnerable groups of citizens. In my opinion, the project is of great potential and it will help to increase the resilience of municipalities in the face of war and their ability for rapid recovery," added Svitlana Mozgova, Head of the Believe in Yourself Charitable Foundation.