About us | YES

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About us

About our work

We support communities and residents in Southern and Eastern Ukraine, helping to rebuild lives, strengthen resilience, and develop local initiatives

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Our story

NGO YES

The NGO YES was founded in 2018 in Zaporizhzhia Oblast at the initiative of young people who sought to strengthen youth participation and create opportunities for citizens to actively contribute to the development of their communities.

During its early years, the organization’s activities focused not only on the regional centre but also on small towns and villages across the oblast. The team worked to develop civic competences, democratic values and political culture, strengthen the capacity of civil society institutions, and support grassroots initiatives. Particular attention was paid to young people — encouraging their participation in decision-making, volunteering, and community development during the decentralization reform.
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Following the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the organization faced new challenges and emerging needs among communities. Some of the areas where YES had been working since its establishment came under occupation, while the security and humanitarian situation changed dramatically. This marked a turning point in the organization’s history and significantly transformed the context in which it operates.

Today, YES combines its experience in civil society development with humanitarian action, supporting communities and people living in the most challenging conditions.

Our work today

The full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 marked a turning point for the organization and significantly changed the context in which it operates. The emerging needs of communities and the scale of the humanitarian crisis required YES to rethink its approaches and areas of work. The organization gradually expanded its focus from supporting civic and youth initiatives to humanitarian response, recovery, and strengthening community capacity.

Today, YES works primarily with frontline rural communities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts. Particular attention is given to small and hard-to-reach settlements, where access to assistance and essential services is often limited due to the war.

Our work with communities combines humanitarian response with support for recovery and longer-term development. This includes assistance to civilians, support for the most vulnerable people, rehabilitation of damaged homes and infrastructure, as well as support for local initiatives, youth work, and civic participation.

At the same time, a key feature of YES’s work is its long-term engagement with communities and understanding of their local context. This means that support is shaped not only by broader humanitarian needs but also by the specific challenges and opportunities of each community. This approach allows us to combine timely humanitarian assistance with solutions that help communities maintain their capacity and recover in the context of the ongoing war.

Our approach

Core values and principles

People-centeredness. We put people at the heart of our work. We support the development of individuals, communities, and society.
Freedom. We create a space where everyone can be themselves and participate in community life. We uphold democratic values and the right to self-expression.
Trust. We build relationships that strengthen trust in civil society and its role in society.
Agency. We believe that people have the ability to influence their own lives and the development of their communities. We support active citizenship and responsibility for our shared future.

Adaptability and flexibility. Responding quickly to changing circumstances and working where support is most needed, with a focus on frontline and hard-to-reach areas.
Capacity development. Investing in the development of our team, strengthening partners and communities, and building equal partnerships to support sustainable development.
Commitment. Taking responsibility for our work, using resources effectively, and staying focused on the current needs of people and communities.

Our focus

Our areas of work

The YES non-governmental organization operates in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and the organization's Charter.

01

Support for civilians affected by the war through humanitarian response activities

The start of the full-scale invasion made it necessary to join forces to help those in the most difficult situations. We are actively leading humanitarian and social initiatives aimed at uniting communities and providing support to those who have suffered the greatest losses. By focusing our efforts on the frontline territories of southern and eastern Ukraine, we are doing everything possible to ensure help and support for those who need it most.

02

Enhancing civic participation and volunteering through civic education, youth work development, and grassroots initiatives

Increasing the level of civic engagement and developing volunteer activities are key aspects of building an active and responsible civil society. These processes help involve citizens in addressing social and economic challenges, creating positive changes in the community, and supporting those in need.

03

Promoting Ukraine’s European integration through non-formal education activities, awareness-raising campaigns, and strengthening the capacity of communities

Within this area, we are working to expand opportunities for non-formal education. Given Ukraine's European integration aspirations, we believe it is especially important to conduct educational activities that help Ukrainians understand human rights and the fundamental principles and values of democracy, such as freedom of expression and gender equality.

The future of communities begins with their ability to take action. By supporting people, local initiatives, and community development, YES strives to help make southern and eastern Ukraine places where people have opportunities for safety, growth, and a dignified life. Places where people have a voice in decision-making, young people can shape their future, and communities can recover, develop their local economies, and grow stronger.