Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many households which relied on self-produced goods and services saw their livelihoods upended, leaving many people unable to restart their vital businesses.
Svitlana*, a 61-year-old veterinarian, faced the loss of her dairy production and hippotherapy services. However, with the support of the Ukraine Response Consortium (URC) through Acted and its partners—IMPACT Initiatives, CARE, World Vision, Right to Protection, and the Estonian Refugee Council—she was able to revive her activities.
Supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Acted provide livelihood pilot grants to individuals who have lost their primary means of income. These grants allow recipients to rebuild their livelihoods, regain self-sufficiency, and stabilize their economic situation. Since 2023, Acted has been supporting 3,800 households in conflict-affected regions, including Odeska oblast, where Svitlana lives.
Empowering recovery: Svitlana’s path to reviving her activities
Avanhard hromada in Odeska oblast is a rural and picturesque area. Here, Svitlana was breeding cows, goats, and poultry, and producing dairy products, which she would sometimes gift to elderly people living in difficult conditions in her area. Before the invasion, Svitlana was also conducting hippotherapy classes for children. She loved her animals deeply and devoted all her time to caring for them, such as preparing their food for the winter.
However, after the full-scale invasion, Svitlana was unable to continue her livelihood activities. When she first learned about the emergency livelihood grants through an information session held by Acted, she expressed great interest in the program, particularly in obtaining a Jersey bull for insemination purposes. As a veterinarian with 24 years of experience, Svitlana understands the challenges of artificial insemination, which is often unreliable. However, she lacked the funds to purchase the bull she desperately needed. Upon receiving our program’s questionnaire, she exclaimed, “My dream can come true!”
After assessing Svitlana’s situation, Acted’s team visited her farm to validate her application and sign an agreement.
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With the livelihood grant, Svitlana will be able to acquire a Jersey bull, enabling her to improve the quality of her dairy products, restore livestock operations, and ultimately resume her ability to offer hippotherapy sessions for children.
For Svitlana, this grant is not just about restarting a business, it is a lifeline that helps her recover from trauma, maintain dignity, and contribute positively to her community.
*The name of the beneficiary has been changed to protect her identity.
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