Myrhorod, Poltava Oblast, 24 March 2025 — The Government of Germany and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine consistently support the national policy of veteran reintegration, facilitating the development of systemic mechanisms for their adaptation to civilian life, particularly at the community level. To this end, the first Veteran Support and Development Centre “Veteran Hub Myrhorod” has been established in Myrhorod, Poltava Oblast.

The centre will offer a comprehensive range of services, including psychological support, legal consultations, and events designed to facilitate the social integration of veterans and their families. It will also serve as a platform for engagement between veterans, local authorities, state institutions, and civil society organisations. A veteran support specialist is already in place at the centre.

The centre’s establishment has been made possible through the initiative of the NGO “Zminy Vazhlyvi” (which translates to “Changes Matter”) as well as grant funding from UNDP and the Government of Germany, amounting to approximately US$70,000. In addition to international partners, the Myrhorod City Council has also contributed to the project, supporting the setup of the space and providing essential resources.

This centre is the first of five such hubs planned to open across different oblasts of Ukraine by the end of the year. The initiative seeks to establish a sustainable support system for veterans and facilitate their integration into the social and economic fabric of their communities.

The German Ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Jäger, emphasised the importance of locally-driven initiatives in supporting veterans. “Sustainable reintegration begins at the community level,” said Mr Jäger. “By supporting communities that understand the lived realities of veterans, we can help foster an environment that empowers them and enables a dignified, purposeful return to civilian life. Germany is proud to support initiatives that put veterans’ needs and rights at the centre.”

The Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Oksana Zholnovych, emphasized that the veterans’ centre in Myrhorod is a vital space for socialization, support, and reintegration into civilian life. “This is an opportunity for the community to come together, share experiences, and explore new opportunities for development,” said Ms Zholnovych. “We support such initiatives because they help veterans adapt and actively engage in society.’"

The Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, Ruslan Prykhodko, emphasized that such centres represent a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive veterans’ policy within communities. “Here, veterans will have access to support, explore new opportunities for development, and engage effectively with local authorities and businesses,” Mr Prykhodko stated. “This is another important milestone on the path to veterans’ full reintegration into society.”

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, Christophoros Politis, emphasized that effective veteran reintegration requires strong policy frameworks, a strong multi-level support systems and an investment in community-driven initiatives. “Ukrainian communities intimately understand their unique needs and are eager to implement tailored solutions for veteran reintegration challenges,” said Mr. Politis. “Our mission is to nurture these grassroots initiatives, facilitate their expansion, and help establish a sustainable veteran support ecosystem that delivers lasting impact.”

The opening of the pilot Veteran Support and Development Centre “Veteran Hub Myrhorod” is part of a broader support programme implemented by the Government of Germany and UNDP. By the end of the year, the opening of five such centres are planned in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv oblasts.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org