Kramatorsk, 13 February 2016

The children and youth creativity centres in Kostyantynivka and Druzhkivka and the municipal music school in Svyatohirsk will be officially opened after renovations, during the visit of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Mr. Shigeki Sumi to Donetsk Region on 15-16 February 2016. These institutions have been renovated with the financial support of the Government of Japan under a project implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

On the 15th of February, in the town of Kostyantynivka, the Ambassador of Japan will take part in the official opening of the renovated children and youth creativity centre, which is being used by more than 1,250 visitors, including 350 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The roof, four dance halls, bathrooms and hallway have been repaired. The workshops, master classes and competitions held at the centre are of great importance for the integration of displaced children in their new communities.

On the 16th of February, with the participation of the Ambassador of Japan, in the town of Svyatohirsk, the municipal music school will be opened after refurbishment. One hundred and twenty (120) children have been enrolled, including 50 children of IDPs. In addition to the renovations done at the school, workshops on Japanese music were conducted, and new musical instruments were purchased as a part of the IOM project.

At the end of his trip, the Ambassador of Japan will also visit the town of Druzhkivka for the inauguration of the renovated children and youth creativity centre, where the windows on all three floors were replaced. One thousand fifty-four (1,054) students of the centre, including 130 internally displaced persons, will now be able to attend 67 workshops, which are provided in comfortable surroundings by the centre.

"The Government of Japan provides comprehensive humanitarian support to internally displaced persons and persons affected by the conflict in the Donbas in cooperation with various international organizations. The project implemented by IOM has become an excellent example of effective support for initiatives that promote social cohesion of internally displaced persons and host communities by renovating social infrastructure facilities. Furthermore, under the current project, 400 grants for self-employment and the development of small business enterprises for internally displaced persons who have returned to their places of residence, as well as local populations, were provided. We plan to continue to further support the successful cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, continuing the project in Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Mr. Shigeki Sumi.

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Since March 2015, with the financial support provided by the Government of Japan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been implementing the project “Support to Community Stabilization in Donbas”. The project is implemented in eight post-conflict communities of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, namely in such towns as Svyatohirsk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, Kostyantynivka, Artemivsk, Severodonetsk, Lysychansk and the village of Borivske. The beneficiaries of the project are internally displaced persons, local residents and authorities at various levels. The main objectives of the project are to assist IDPs and persons affected by the conflict in Donbas in the stabilization of their livelihoods, restoration of social infrastructure and implementation of social cohesion activities. Overall, the project provides for repairs and renovations of 21 social infrastructure facilities, which are social centers for more than 20,000 persons in eight communities, including almost 9,000 internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

Another focus of the project is to provide micro-grants to IDPs and persons affected by the conflict in the Donbas to establish or further develop their own business. More than 600 people attended business trainings, and up to 400 beneficiaries were selected to participate in the grant programme that will provide equipment, worth USD 900, for each participant. Thirty-four (34%) per cent of the grant program participants are IDPs, and 33%, respectively, are persons who are returnees to post-conflict communities that have come back under the control of the Government of Ukraine, as well as local residents.

Fore more information, please contact IOM Ukraine’s Communications Officer Varvara Zhluktenko, + 38-044-568-5015, vzhluktenko@iom.int