February Highlights from East SOS: Ya Mozhu (I Can) Support Group Sessions and Nonviolent Communication Training
In February, the East SOS team continued supporting people working closely with hromadas (communities), as well as those affected by the war who needed space to recover. Over the course of the month, support groups and a nonviolent communication training were held in Vyshneve, Kyiv Oblast; Truskavets, Lviv Oblast; and in the city of Chernihiv. A total of 63 participants took part in the events.
In Vyshneve, two sessions of the Ya Mozhu psychological support group were held, combining group support with art therapy. Women from families affected by russia’s military agression, along with educators, activists, and displaced women, joined the sessions. Through creative practices, the participants explored their emotions, shared their experiences, and looked for ways to restore their inner resources.
In Truskavets, two more Ya Mozhu support group sessions brought together educators, activists, and displaced women. During the sessions, they spoke about their emotions and needs, learned to better understand themselves and others, and searched for ways to maintain inner resilience in difficult life circumstances.
“I’d like to thank our trainer, Iryna, for the care and time she gave to each of us. I’m also grateful to the other participants for the opportunity to speak up, find support, and meet like-minded women. These kinds of meetings are truly important: they create space for growth, sharing experiences, and genuine human connection,” said Olena, one of the participants.
Another key event in February was the first module of the course “A Nonviolent Approach to Building Dialogue in Hromadas and Local Settings,” held in Chernihiv. The training, titled “Introduction to Nonviolent Communication and the Concept of Dialogue as a Way of Building Relationships,” brought together civil servants, social workers, entrepreneurs, activists, and displaced people.
During the training, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of nonviolent communication, discussed the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts, and learned to build relationships based on respect, empathy, and mutual understanding.
“The material was very easy to follow, and it was engaging to work in groups, do the exercises, and take part in movement breaks. Everyone opened up, and there was a real sense of humanity, respect, support, and mutual understanding,” said Dmytro, one of the participants.
The meetings and training sessions organized by East SOS are aimed at helping people process the difficult realities of war. Through group work, dialogue, and practical exercises, participants build skills that help them better understand themselves and others, support their teams, and maintain psychological resilience.
The events took place within the framework of the project Empowering Civil Society for Nonviolent Conflict Transformation with State Actors, with the financial support of KURVE Wustrow.
Previously, we also shared how East SOS’s Ya Mozhu support groups took place in January.
