The Community Foundation «Podilska Hromada» has received grant funding as part of the «People for People» competition from the NGO «ISAR Ednannia» and is launching the «Safety and Resilience of Housing Associations» project. It aims to improve the safety of shelters in Vinnytsia and strengthen the capacity of Housing Associations’ chairpersons to act effectively under martial law. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Housing and the Housing Associations Development Division of Vinnytsia City Council and comprises two interlinked components: the technical upgrading of shelters and training for Housing Associations chairpersons.
«Under martial law and with regular power cuts, the uninterrupted operation of automatic electronic locks at the entrances to shelters is critically important. During air raid alerts, when the main power supply may be unavailable due to blackouts, it is the backup power supply that ensures the door-opening systems remain operational. At the same time, safety depends not only on technical equipment, but also on how prepared the chairpersons of housing associations are to act in crisis situations», — explains Olena Danilova, director of the Community Foundation «Podilska Hromada».
The project involves the purchase and installation of LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries to provide backup power for electronic locks at the entrances to shelters. This solution ensures that doors open automatically even in the complete absence of mains electricity — and reduces risks to residents during emergencies.
In addition, the project includes a training component: 45 chairpersons of housing associations in Vinnytsia will have the opportunity to undergo training in psychological resilience, communication (both external and internal), and project management. This knowledge will help the chairpersons not only to respond more effectively to challenges, but also to attract additional resources and implement their own initiatives.
The project will result not only in technically reinforced shelters but also in a network of capable Housing Associations chairpersons, ready to share their experience and respond jointly to security challenges.
The «Safety and Resilience of Housing Associations» project is being implemented by the Community Foundation «Podilska Hromada» as part of the «People for People» programme, with the support of the NGO «ISAR Ednannia».
