Live, Grow, Inspire: How Maryna Bohun Helps Women and Children Thrive Despite the War

Photo: NGO Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development/Yurii Veres

“I was born in Luhansk region, and now, when my homeland is under occupation, I see it as my duty to help people who face such terrible challenges as occupation, displacement, and war. That’s why in 2022 I founded the NGO Grow Foundation, where I can apply all my previous experience and focus on projects that support women and children from Luhansk who now live across Ukraine,” — says Maryna Bohun, social entrepreneur, founder of Grow Foundation and graduate of the Women’s Power programme.

Following the forced displacement of thousands of Luhansk residents after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, women and children became some of the most vulnerable groups among internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to the Ministry of Social Policy, as of 2024 more than 1.6 million IDPs from Luhansk region are registered in various regions of Ukraine, over 60% of them being women and children. Many lost their homes, jobs, and stability — but not their ability to fight and to support others.

As part of the Women’s Power programme, in 2024 the Grow Foundation launched the initiative “Grow and Achieve” — an educational project providing school kits to children from Luhansk. Seventy-three students from the Hirske community, now residing in Kyiv and Kyiv region, received this support.

“These are not just notebooks and pens — they are a symbol of care, stability, and the fact that learning continues despite the war,” — explains Maryna.

Photo: NGO Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development/Yurii Veres

The initiative targets children from grades 1 to 11 whose families often have limited access to resources. Many of these families are low-income, large families, single mothers, or guardians. This underlines the importance of targeted and dignified support. Overall, since the launch of “Grow and Achieve”, more than 1,000 children have received assistance from Grow Foundation.

The Women’s Power programme 2024–25 is implemented by the NGO Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development, with technical support from UN Women in Ukraine and funding from the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).

War and its impact: statistics and challenges

Luhansk region, affected by armed conflict since 2014, remains among the hardest-hit. In 2022–2024, the Grow Foundation received more than 8,500 requests for humanitarian aid from families from Luhansk — just a drop in the ocean of needs.

“It’s impossible to help everyone. But we can support those who need it the most — and that already changes lives,” — shares Maryna.

Looking ahead: to act and to inspire

“My dream is to create a community where women from Luhansk, who have lost their homes, jobs, and security, can rediscover themselves. Through education, mutual support, and partnership. And we are already building this together.”

Maryna plans to scale up educational and humanitarian projects, expand support to children from other communities of Luhansk region, empower women in entrepreneurship, and create a permanent space for IDPs to adapt to new conditions.

Advice for women who want to make a change

Maryna Bohun is convinced: real change comes not from slogans, but from actions. Her advice:

• Don’t be afraid to act, even if your plan isn’t perfect.
• Be transparent — in communication, budgets, and goals. This builds trust.
• Involve partners — the state, communities, and international organizations can become your allies.

The Women’s Power programme, launched in 2022, has brought together over 220 local women’s organizations, government bodies, and businesses to jointly address challenges. It has implemented 124 initiatives that met the critical needs of more than 100,000 people across Ukraine. The Women’s Power network focuses on effective cooperation between civil society, government, and business; addressing humanitarian challenges; developing women leaders’ skills and team cohesion; and strengthening the resilience of the civilian population.

“Women in communities, government, and business are united in the struggle for independence, freedom, truth, and dignity. Ukrainian women are a reliable humanitarian backbone and the foundation for Ukraine’s recovery,” — says Daria Mustafina, founder of the programme and director of the NGO Institute for Partnership and Sustainable Development.

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.