Since the beginning of our programme, and especially since Russia's war of aggression in 2022, we have been building trust with women affected by the war in Ukraine. Our meetings have fostered an environment where women can openly share experiences and talk about their visions for peace – whether they have gone into exile, remained in eastern Ukraine or were displaced to other parts of the country. Following the launch of the redesigned Ukraine programme in the autumn of 2024, we organised a train-the-trainer workshop in Krakow in February for women who play a leading role in their municipalities.

The 20 women participated in workshops and discussions to deepen their understanding of peace processes, peacebuilding tools and methods in order to claim their roles in building peace in their communities. Together they developed a joint vision of peace based on women’s needs.

In this interview Olena Zinenko and Olga Larina, members of the programme’s core group, talk about the differences they noticed in the discussions among the women over the past two years, about their current challenges and future hopes. Olena currently lives in Germany, Olga in the Czech Republic.

The participants repeatedly expressed their desire to participate in political processes.

What differences did you notice at the meetings in Poland: in Przemyśl in August 2023, in Krakow in October 2024 and in February?

Olena Zinenko: In August 2023, the women were dealing with issues of adapting to the city of displacement. They tried to understand what had happened and shared memories of their displacement. In February, women started talking about what the future could be in these conditions of war. The planning horizon is, of course, short. We are talking about the near future. What remained from 2023 to 2025: the hope of returning home. Although there is less hope now, the desire to return remains.

Olga Larina: I noticed that stress and fatigue had accumulated during this time. Almost none of the participants at the meetings live in their original homes. In some places it is impossible because the territory is occupied, in others it is too dangerous. All the participants complained about a lack of sleep due to anxiety and the shelling. They were grateful for the meeting abroad because, for the first time in a long time, they felt safe and were able to sleep. The women shared their emotions sincerely, actively discussed the proposed topics and talked about their experiences of working in communities.

Women who went into exile, remained in eastern Ukraine or were internally displaced in other parts of the country came together at this meeting. Are divisions noticeable among these groups of women?

Olena: In the group we work with there is no critical division. The desire and intention to cooperate across borders and to share experiences is there. However, in Ukraine itself there is such a division, because of the different contexts, even within the country. Some live on the frontline, some in a city that is constantly under fire, and some in safer regions.

Olga: About half of the participants were internally displaced twice. The first time in 2014, when they and their families left the partially occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk. The second time with the invasion in February 2022, when they moved to other parts of Ukraine or abroad. From my own experience, the second time is much more difficult. The internally displaced women in the group we are working with were interested in the experiences of women in exile and vice versa. The women understand that it is difficult for everyone. Everyone was forced to leave their home because of the war. We, the organisers of the meeting, were glad to have the opportunity to invite Ukrainian women community leaders, to hear their opinions and experiences, regardless of where they are based now.

What are some of the challenges the women face?

Olena: The first challenge is living away from home and in an unfamiliar environment where you know no one and nothing. The other challenges relate to personal safety, medical care, living conditions, and the loss of social capital – that is, the connections and the status that you had at home.

Olga: In small towns, women face a lack of job opportunities. Both small and large towns have no clear policies on integrating displaced people into the local municipalities. The women also have to deal with corruption, lack of support from local authorities and insufficient communication between authorities and the municipalities. In many places, shelling causes electricity and internet outages – affecting children who are educated online. The women who went abroad lack knowledge of the language and must deal with the European legislation, family separation, economic and psychological vulnerability.

What is most important for women in Ukraine now?

Olga: The war has been going on for eleven years, it is difficult to live in a state of uncertainty. So, what is most important is security, in any part of Ukraine.

Olena: Peace is returning home, meeting relatives who have returned from the cities of hostilities, restoring life with education, culture, and the opportunity to plan for the future.

Networks are an important part of our peacebuilding work. What role do they play in Ukraine now, particularly for women and for peace activists?

Olena: Networks build networks. Our connections help us recover, navigate a new city, form our social circle, defend our rights, find a psychologist, dentist, gynaecologist, get a job, look for housing, and realise ourselves by starting a business or through other activities where we can use our expertise. With networks, you can do anything.

Olga: Networks strengthen women's influence, provide an opportunity to share experiences and learn peacebuilding tools.

If one day peace talks take place, how confident are you that women will participate, that these community leaders will insist on being part of the talks?

Olga: It has been repeatedly said that peacebuilding in times of war is difficult. How can we find common ground between the parties during the military escalation?

Olena: Women want to participate in the political discussion, in the decisions about reconstruction and in planning peace. Women's participation is a prerequisite for peace based on the principles of dignity, justice and freedom. The participants have repeatedly expressed their desire to be included in political processes. They shared their experiences of when they were included in decision-making and what results they achieved before the war. The group have requested more knowledge to be more effective in their communities.

What are your hopes for the programme?

Olga: At the meeting in February, the understanding of peacebuilding became clearer. It is also clear that we need to study the experiences of women in peace processes in the world and learn.

Olena: I am confident that the programme will strengthen women activists in communities in Ukraine. They are committed not only to personal development, but also to sharing the knowledge they have gained and bringing other women together to help them in building peace.

The interview was conducted in May 2025