Two New “Blue Haven for Ukraine” Locations Opened in Rivne and Vinnytsia: Supporting Those Who Carry the Heaviest Burden
November 21, 2025
Across Ukraine, police officers continue serving under extraordinary pressure. Many of them rotate between frontline duties and civilian protection; others return home carrying the invisible wounds of war. Families wait, often coping with fear and grief. Children grow up knowing their parents risk their lives every day. In such a reality, emotional resilience becomes as vital as protective gear.
This is the context in which the Blue Haven for Ukraine (BHU) initiative is taking root – a growing network of safe, supportive spaces designed to help law enforcement officers, veterans, and their families regain stability, process trauma, and rebuild their inner strength. In October and November 2025, two new centres opened in Rivne and Vinnytsia, marking a decisive step in expanding mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services for Ukraine’s law enforcement community.
A Model Born from Humanity and Experience
Blue Haven is implemented by EUAM Ukraine, in partnership with the National Police of Ukraine, the Government of the Netherlands, the Dutch National Police, and the ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre. Inspired by the Dutch “Blue Haven” model, the project launched in Ukraine in late 2024 and now spans Lviv, Rivne, and Vinnytsia, with Kyiv next in line.
More than just rooms with sofas and consultation desks, each Blue Haven location is designed to be a protected environment where anyone affected by war-related trauma can seek help – confidentially, respectfully, and without stigma. It is both a physical space and a statement of values: care, solidarity, and dignity.
Rivne: A Place for Healing, Memory, and Mutual Support
On 24 October 2025, the Rivne Blue Haven officially opened its doors, drawing more than fifty participants – from police leadership, psychologists, and chaplains to veterans, families of the fallen, and representatives of regional institutions.
The stories shared that day revealed the profound human need behind the project.
Police officers who lost limbs or sustained severe injuries talked about learning to live again. Psychologists described working daily with frontline officers who return from the most intense parts of the war. Wives and parents of fallen officers spoke openly about grief – and the courage it takes to seek help.
Viktor Shanskyi, Head of the Rivne Regional Police, captured the sentiment:
“Before the war, our motto was ‘Serve and protect.’ Today, protecting our people and our country comes first. When officers return, physical and mental rehabilitation must be the priority… This space is essential for our staff and families of the fallen. Here they can speak to psychologists and support one another.”
Beyond the ceremony, the Rivne BHU location immediately began serving those who need it most. Police psychologists held art-therapy sessions for children of fallen and wounded officers – teaching breathing techniques, creating handmade anti-stress toys, and simply offering warmth and attention in a place where they felt safe.
For wounded police veterans recovering in medical facilities, psychologists organised “Safe Place” meditative sessions, helping participants visualise a mental space of peace and security – a tool they can return to whenever anxiety overwhelms.
Vinnytsia: A Regional Hub for Reintegration and Recovery
Just weeks later, on 13 November 2025, Vinnytsia became the third region to open a BHU location. The event brought together the Mayor, the Head of the Regional Council, representatives of the Military Administration, as well as EUAM Ukraine and NPU leadership.
Speakers emphasised not only the psychological pressure on police officers, but also the parallel suffering of their families.
Natalia Zabolotna, First Deputy Head of the Vinnytsia Military Administration, noted:
“No reintegration or psychological recovery can happen if we work only with the officer, without their family. Families live with fear and uncertainty every day.”
Mayor Serhii Morhunov added that police in Vinnytsia serve on two fronts – protecting the region and fighting on the battlefield: “Imagine the psychological load these people carry. Creating such a centre is not just the right decision – it is a necessary one.”
The BHU location in Vinnytsia offers individual consultations, group therapy, peer-support practices, and family-oriented programmes – building a supportive environment where officers can “take off their psychological armour” and begin to heal.
EUAM Ukraine’s Commitment
The establishment of these centres reflects EUAM Ukraine’s strategic commitment to strengthening the resilience, well-being, and professionalism of Ukraine’s civilian security sector. From developing the Blue Haven concept for the NPU, to procuring furniture, IT equipment, and visibility materials, to provide Ukrainian psychologists with specialized trainings – EUAM’s role has been integral at every step.
“Blue Haven embodies something profoundly human: the conviction that those who stand in defense of Ukraine deserve a place to restore their own strength. Each location we open is more than an investment in mental health, it is an investment in the resilience, readiness, and dignity of Ukraine’s law enforcement community. We are honoured to work alongside our partners in building a nationwide network that will help thousands of law enforcement officers and their families heal, rebuild, and move forward with renewed confidence”, highlights lknur Günes, Project Manager Blue Haven for Ukraine & Adviser/Trainer in Community Policing.
With locations now operating in Lviv, Rivne, and Vinnytsia, and Kyiv preparing to launch its own, Blue Haven is steadily becoming one of the leading nationwide initiatives supporting Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Ukraine’s law enforcement system.
Each opening adds another safe harbour for those who bear the weight of the country’s defence – a space where trauma can be addressed, strength can be rebuilt, and families can find understanding.
In a time when many Ukrainians dream of seeing a peaceful, clear sky again, the name “Blue Haven for Ukraine – Блакитне небо для України” carries a powerful message: healing, hope, and humanity are part of Ukraine’s path to victory.
