“Zatyshno space” in Vinnytsia and Cherkasy is operating with financial support of the Ukraine Solidarity Program of Fondation de France

Since June, “Solidarité Ukraine” Committee of Fondation de France, in partnership with East SOS, has been supporting activities in Vinnytsia and Cherkasy in the “Zatyshno Space”, providing psychosocial services and assistance for people affected by the war.

Information note: Zatyshno Space network is a psychosocial and legal support initiative by the East SOS Charity Foundation, designed for individuals affected by loss, forced displacement, or other consequences of war. Established initially as Women Girls Safe Spaces with a focus on gender-based violence, the initiative has since expanded to welcome anyone in need of psychosocial support.

The network operates in six Ukrainian cities: Cherkasy, Kropyvnytskyi, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv. 

• The foundation’s team provides free psychosocial, legal, and vocational guidance in these spaces, helping individuals regain a sense of purpose and stabilize their mental health. 
• Support includes individual and group counseling sessions with psychologists, case managers, social workers, and lawyers.
• Special attention is given to youth and children, who are supported in overcoming the educational and socialization gaps caused by the war.

Every month, hundreds of visitors attend events, training sessions, and workshops at Zatyshno Space, which also serves as a platform for personal growth, leadership development, meaningful connection, exploration, and creative expression.

The initiative also conducts awareness campaigns, from lectures in schools and institutions to mass media and social networks outreach. Zatyshno Spaces ensures comprehensive support to anyone seeking help, with a broad network of local partner organizations for referrals tailored to individual needs.

Message from the feedback box. Vinnytsia, 22 July 2025:

“The space is a truly wonderful place. Thank you for your support! I came to you in a tough emotional state — I couldn’t speak during the workshop. But I could express my pain by drawing and crying it out. Your psychologist simply hugged me, and I started to feel better. Thank you for your care and attention, for the warm attitude toward me and the children. The women here are kind and compassionate. I’m so grateful that you exist”

The Zatyshno Space teams also regularly visit geriatric institutions and temporary shelters, supporting older adults and people with limited mobility, who have evacuated from the frontline regions. Many of these individuals now reside in facilities renovated with support from the foundation. 

The East SOS Charity Foundation has assisted people affected by the war since 2014. Following the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, the foundation significantly expanded its operations across the entire government-controlled territory of Ukraine. In response to the growing needs, East SOS began evacuating civilians, including older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children. The team also launched numerous initiatives in frontline and de-occupied communities and established the Zatyshno Space network to provide ongoing support. Since 2014, the foundation has also been engaged in the documentation of war crimes committed by the russian federation.