June 9, 2025

SGS 2024 Grantee: Voznesensk Community Foundation in partnership with the Agency for Economic Development (AED), Ukraine

Project: New Agrarians: self-employment of IDPs through agricultural production

Despite its modest budget, this initiative, supported by the BEARR Trust’s Small Grants Scheme, demonstrated impressive results and proved that quality seeds and knowledge can be powerful tools to support people facing difficult circumstances.

Main Goal – Self-Employment and Integration

The project aimed to help internally displaced persons (IDPs) find new opportunities for self-employment through small-scale agricultural activity. It also sought to promote environmental education and social integration through joint events and practical training.

Due to the financial limitations, the organisers – the Voznesensk Community Foundation in partnership with the Agency for Economic Development (AED) – decided to focus on the most essential element: purchasing high-quality vegetable and herb seeds. While composters and printed brochures had to be removed from the plan, an awareness campaign on composting still went ahead in the form of lectures and community meetings.

Results That Exceeded Expectations

The project directly supported 200 households – including IDPs and vulnerable local families – by providing them with seed kits for home gardens. These households not only received valuable resources to grow their own food but also gained a renewed sense of control and purpose in uncertain times.

In addition, 8 motivational events and 8 training sessions were held. More than 500 people in total participated – from local government representatives and NGOs to public utility workers, youth councils, and general community members. These activities helped strengthen community ties and raise environmental awareness.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

One of the main challenges was underfunding – the initial plan estimated a need for almost £4,000, but the actual grant received was £1,341. However, the project team showed flexibility and resilience. By prioritising core objectives and persuading partners to contribute venues and trainers, they managed to deliver meaningful results.

Some participants were unable to attend all events due to personal circumstances – a fact that has prompted the organisers to consider introducing hybrid or online formats in future projects.

Key lessons included:

• The importance of involving local opinion-leaders early in the planning process.
• The need for flexible implementation that can adapt to changing circumstances.
• Understanding beneficiary needs in advance – especially in this case regarding seed varieties and training content.

Planting Seeds for the Future

This project laid the foundation for long-term benefits. The organisers expect that the new skills and resources will allow households to continue producing food for their families, improving economic stability and food security.

Socially, the project strengthened the integration of IDPs into the local community. Environmentally, it increased interest in composting and sustainable gardening. Educationally, it sparked curiosity and motivation to continue learning.

The collaboration between the Voznesensk Community Foundation and AED was so successful that both organisations plan to continue their partnership, expanding into new areas and involving even more community members.

Gratitude and Hope

The project team expresses deep gratitude to the BEARR Trust for its support of Ukrainian communities during challenging times. “This grant allowed us not only to distribute seeds, but to plant hope, knowledge, and confidence,” the coordinators noted.

Comments from participants:

“I am very glad that I received seeds from Voznesensk public organisations. They are so expensive to buy on my own, but they are extremely necessary now. My family now has a small garden plot, where we planted the received vegetable seeds, and we already have our first harvest.” – Daria, a project participant, an IDP from Kherson, shares her impressions.

“I received good seeds and together with my husband we planted them in our greenhouse. Half of the seedlings we received were sold at the local market, the other half were planted in the open ground in the garden. It’s so nice! We have fresh greens for salads and vegetables for preserving. A great help to our family in this difficult time. We are sincerely grateful to the local organisations!” – Olha, a project participant, a pensioner and a group 3 disabled person, a Voznesensk citizen.

Contact:

Viktoriia Baltser

Project Coordinator

Voznesensk Community Foundation

vspr.voz@gmail.com