Contemporary Ukrainian activism is often carried out by women who work in difficult conditions: in small towns, villages, and communities affected by war. They are leaders, volunteers, communicators, and listeners. They support others and keep communities together. But very rarely does anyone ask how they feel. Do they have resources? Is there someone nearby to support them?
That is why the NGO PRO WOMEN UA is launching the project “The Shady Sides of Activism” to support those who constantly help others. This project was created to draw attention to challenges that are usually ignored: emotional burnout, chronic fatigue, social isolation, and lack of support. Women activists often do not allow themselves to stop because of an inner fear of being judged or excluded from the environment to which they have devoted so much energy.
The goal of the project is to create a supportive space where people can honestly talk about their condition, recharge their batteries, find like-minded people, and discover new ways of acting—relying on themselves rather than exhaustion.
The project is aimed at women who are already part of the activist movement or are just planning to join it. There are no age, regional, or professional restrictions. If you are an activist from any region of the country, a volunteer who cares about the needs of others, work for or are a member of a non-governmental organization, run your own courses or conduct training sessions that develop the community and help communities, feel emotionally burned out or want to avoid it, or are looking for a supportive community, then this project is for you!
A series of seven online meetings awaits you — interactive sessions lasting 2 hours each. It will be a combination of practical exercises, physical and emotional practices, joint discussions, conversations about complex issues, and space for support. The topics will be formed based on the requests of the participants themselves — so that each meeting is truly useful.
The final offline event in Lutsk will be a live meeting for 100 participants from different parts of Ukraine. It will be a space for deep exchange, inspiration, new acquaintances, a sense of belonging, and the start of new horizontal initiatives.
To participate in the project, you need to fill out a short registration form. Participation is free, but places are limited.
Being an activist is important. But being an activist who does not ignore their own needs is even more important. You have the right to be vulnerable. You have the right to recover. You have the right to be not only strong, but also alive. “The Dark Side of Activism” is about supporting those who support others.
Join us!
The “Shadow Sides of Activism” initiative is being implemented by the NGO “PRO WOMEN UA” as part of the “FemACT!” project, which is being implemented by the NGO “STAN” in partnership with the international organization Plan International and funded by Svenska Institutet / the Swedish Institute.