On a winter evening, people for whom the word “resilience” has long ceased to be an abstract concept gathered in the cozy space of a civil society organization in Pavlohrad. A dialogue session titled “The Experience of Resilience: What Helps Frontline Communities Endure” took place here — the conversation with participants focused on life amid never-ending challenges and the inner strengths that help them hold on day after day.
They didn’t speak theoretically — they spoke from the heart and from experience. About self-organization, which emerges when there is no time left to wait. About mutual aid, which becomes a quiet but reliable force. About local initiatives that take root even in difficult soil. About psycho-emotional resilience, which requires care just as much as the body does. And, of course, about trust — fragile yet vital — and horizontal interaction, where every voice matters.
This meeting, held as part of the training “Dialogues in Communities. Facilitating Social Cohesion,” once again reminded us of a simple yet profound truth: the resilience of frontline communities does not rest on abstract strategies, but on people. On their ability to stand together, support one another, remain flexible, and not lose their readiness to act, even under the pressure of risks.
The atmosphere of the gathering itself was particularly valuable. The safe, welcoming space — thoughtfully and carefully created by facilitators Tetiana Naida, Anna Tretyak, and Valentina Rodionova — allowed everyone to feel heard. Here, people could speak openly, listen without rushing, and truly hear one another. Gathered in this circle were participants from our frontline Pavlohrad community — internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, military personnel, and volunteers. For many, the topic of resilience resonated deeply, as it pertains to daily life amid war, loss, and constant tension — experiences we all share.
As the meeting drew to a close, participants expressed many words of gratitude and simple yet important acknowledgments: such events are necessary. They become a space for support, a lively exchange of experiences, and a shared search for solutions — here and now — as well as a realization: we are not alone, and together we can endure.
The event is part of the “Workshop for Positive Change: We Speak, We Act, We Influence” project, implemented by the NGO “Space for Positive Change” with support from the Government of Canada as part of the “Women. Peace. Security: From Local to Global” project, implemented by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund
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