Veteran Support Forum “Resources. Development. Solutions” Held in Odesa

On 3 September, Odesa hosted the Veteran Support Forum “Resources. Development. Solutions”, organised by the Ukrainian Red Cross and its Odesa regional branch, with support from the British Red Cross.

The event brought together veterans, their family members, representatives of government authorities and local communities, veteran organisations, and partners. The main focus of the forum was practical support for veterans as they transition to civilian life, pursue professional development, and take an active role in their communities.

Participants discussed the support opportunities currently available to veterans and their families, how to access essential services in their communities, and where to find resources for further development.

Particular attention was paid to social entrepreneurship and starting or developing a business. Representatives of the Ukrainian Red Cross presented existing support programmes and outlined training, grant opportunities, and guidance available to veterans who want to launch or grow their own businesses. The Supporting Veterans and War-Affected Communities in Ukraine project was also presented. It is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross in partnership with the Spanish Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, and German Red Cross, with financial support from the European Union.

During a panel discussion, participants explored the current needs of veterans, access to government, social, and humanitarian services, the role of communities in the reintegration process, and the importance of cooperation between government authorities, veteran organisations, civil society, and partners. Representatives of the veteran community and organisations working directly with veterans also contributed to the discussion.

Another important topic was how veterans can access support and services in their communities. Participants learned about services available across the Odesa region, the work of veteran support specialists, veteran spaces, available assistance, and Ukrainian Red Cross services, including the veteran hotline.

The forum provided a platform for open dialogue between veterans, communities, government authorities, and organisations providing support.

One of the key conclusions was that veteran support needs to be comprehensive and accessible. It is not enough for a veteran simply to know that a particular programme exists — they need to understand where to turn, which opportunities are available to them, and how to navigate the process with the support they need.

Supporting veterans means creating opportunities for professional development, entrepreneurship, recovery, the development of their own initiatives, and active participation in community life. This is why it is important to bring together the resources of government, communities, civil society organisations, and humanitarian partners to build an effective and easy-to-navigate support system.

The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to develop such opportunities and support veterans and their families through training, grant programmes, psychosocial support, and case management.