“The League of the Strong” Public Association has released its 2025 annual report, which compiles the key results of its work, research, and advocacy achievements. The document covers support for people with disabilities during wartime, the development of social services, influence on public policy, and the promotion of inclusive solutions at the national level.
You can view the full version of the report at the following link:https://ls.org.ua/zvitnist/
“Our primary focus is on systemic change through advocacy. In 2025, we continued working on reforms in the areas of employment and deinstitutionalization to change approaches at the level of public policy. At the same time, the war dictates its own terms, so alongside this, we also provided direct support to people in need,” comments Daria Kukurika, Executive Director of “The League of the Strong.”
2025 Results in Figures
Throughout 2025, “The League of the Strong” provided comprehensive support to people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Specifically:
- 340 legal consultations provided
- 324 people received financial assistance
- 612 people received assistive devices
- 961 transportation services provided
- 3,983 referrals to services
The breakdown of legal aid requests shows the specific categories the team worked with in 2025. Of the 340 people who received consultations:
- 76 people with disabilities
- 28 veterans
- 132 internally displaced persons
In 2025, the educational initiative reached out to the public sector, government officials, and experts alike. In total, the following activities were carried out:
- 14 training sessions for CSOs (458 participants)
- 3 training sessions for local governments (75 participants)
- 10 rehabilitation training sessions (315 participants)
The “Step Toward Accessibility” project aims to promote the development of barrier-free environments in communities. It helps translate the concept of accessibility from theory into practice — by providing clear solutions for local authorities and facilitating the planning of changes at the community level.
As part of the project:
- Memorandums of cooperation were signed with the communities of Irpin and Pustomyty
- A workshop on accessibility was held in Pustomyty for 19 participants
- Two technical inspections of facilities were conducted, resulting in recommendations for improving accessibility
“The League of the Strong” focused its communications efforts in 2025 on raising awareness of disability issues and promoting inclusive solutions. Specifically:
- 168,671 users reached by informational materials
- 88 materials
- 13 success stories
- 5 public events as part of one of the projects
The total budget of “The League of the Strong” in 2025 was 44,070,295 UAH. The organization’s financial structure reflects its focus on program activities and supporting initiatives:
- 85.5% — program activities
- 9.5% — administrative expenses
- 5% — subgrants
- Four projects received microgrants of 10,000 GBP each
Research
In 2025, “The League of the Strong” continued to implement the “HOME — Deinstitutionalization Is Possible” project, aimed at reforming the system of care for people with disabilities and developing supported living as an alternative to residential institutions. The initiative is being implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation and covers the whole of Ukraine.
As part of the project, the team conducted two nationwide studies on supported living and attitudes toward it. The quantitative study surveyed 2,113 respondents, and 13 expert interviews and 10 focus groups involving 55 people were also conducted.
In addition to its research work, the team analyzed legislation, participated in interagency working groups under the Ministry of Social Policy, and submitted proposals for regulatory and legal acts in the field of social services. In particular, the project’s findings were incorporated into strategic documents and the process of developing the state policy on deinstitutionalization.
The project does not provide direct assistance to individuals; instead, it focuses on systemic changes designed to facilitate the transition from institutional care to community-based living and improve the quality of services for thousands of people with disabilities.
As part of the “Inclusive Future” project, “The League of the Strong” conducted a national study on access to livelihoods and the labor market for people with disabilities during wartime. The findings revealed deep-rooted systemic barriers that people face in terms of employment and financial stability.
- 1,019 people with disabilities participated in the survey
- 621 employers took part in the study
- Only 15–18% of people with disabilities in Ukraine are employed
- 68% of respondents can afford only basic necessities — food and clothing
- Only 7% of people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities are employed
Following the public presentation, the study’s findings served as the basis for further advocacy efforts. The team presented them at a press conference and a special event, conducted a thematic training session in Dnipro, participated in seven FSL Cluster meetings, and developed recommendations for humanitarian programs. In addition, 25 of the organization’s internal policies were updated based on the data obtained.