Specialists from the veteran department of the CBA Initiatives Center continue to study the recovery environment for veterans in Ukraine. The “Our Here” project map has now been updated with locations in Zhytomyr region — the second region added after Kyiv. During expeditions across Zhytomyr, the team explored 14 locations, including sports clubs and halls, veteran hubs, country complexes, and NGOs that develop veteran sports in the community and/or provide services for veterans.

Among the locations added to the map are the Dragon Boat rowing section, TMS Hub Zhytomyr, and the Zviahel veteran space. All these locations share a common goal: offering specialized services for the veteran community. Some provide adaptive sports training, while others offer essential services such as psychological support, employment assistance, and legal consultations.

“The purpose of the map, and of the ‘Our Here’ project as a whole, is to explore recovery opportunities for veterans across Ukraine, including through adaptive sports. Where to train, how to get started, who can provide support, and how to find your place in the community — these are the questions we seek to answer. Our goal is to simplify access to organizations and locations that provide quality services for veterans, while also understanding their needs to help these services develop. So far, we have researched Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions; next are Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv, and others,” says the CBA Initiatives Center team.

“In Zhytomyr region, there are fewer initiatives focused on developing and supporting the veteran community compared to the capital. However, organizations and sections that have established cooperation with local authorities are growing and attracting more people,” the team adds.

About the ‘Our Here’ project

‘Our Here’ is a platform dedicated to recovery through adaptive sports for veterans, active military personnel, and their relatives. It combines an interactive map of useful locations and contacts, specialized articles, and personal experiences of defenders. The platform is useful not only for those undergoing recovery but also for their friends and family. It is also valuable for adaptive sports coaches, assistants, doctors of various specializations, and other professionals who want to learn more about adaptive sports.

On the “Our Here” platform, users can:

• Find convenient places for sports and recovery — for themselves or their loved ones;
• Learn more about adaptive sports and deepen their understanding;
• Explore veterans’ experiences;
• Access useful contacts.

Additionally, the website is regularly updated with information about sports and educational events, and soon it will feature interactive online activities, tests, and a library of useful materials for anyone interested in adaptive sports.

“Our team doesn’t just search for recovery locations — we visit them in person, get acquainted with the space, and talk to management and specialists. Then begins a thorough and systematic process: evaluating conditions, services, requests, and opportunities. It’s important for us to find points of collaboration with other NGOs or sports institutions. This way, we strengthen each other and, as a result, scale up recovery through sports across Ukraine,” explains Olha Husakova, senior specialist of the veteran department at the CBA Initiatives Center.

Platform address: https://nashi.cbacenter.ngo/

“We invite veterans to actively use the ‘Our Here’ platform — to find convenient locations, connect with other community members, and learn more about adaptive sports and recovery opportunities,” says Taras Kovalyk, head of the veteran department at the CBA Initiatives Center. “If you represent an organization or initiative working in adaptive sports or veteran support, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are open to collaboration and always happy to expand our community of like-minded people.”