In the Myrhorod community, located in Poltava region of Ukraine, every household tells a story of daily hard work and a deep love for the land. Well-tended flowerbeds, cosy homesteads, and fertile gardens and orchards all speak to one truth: life goes on, even in the shadow of war.

Following the start of the full-scale invasion, many local residents found themselves in a dire situation. Families were forced to cut back on everything, often having to choose between paying for utilities or buying essential medicines—postponing even the most basic needs for “better times.”

In this context, the Emergency Livelihoods Programme implemented by the Estonian Refugee Council in partnership with ACTED through the Ukraine Response Consortium became a crucial step toward greater stability and self-reliance for the Myrhorod community. Thanks to the U.S. government support, nearly 200 war-affected families received meaningful support to earn a living and meet their basic needs through activities like livestock and poultry farming, vegetable cultivation, service provision, handicrafts, and food production.

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Greenhouse grants proved to be especially popular. In recent years, the region's climate has shifted, with hotter and drier summers, prompting villagers to increasingly focus on vegetable cultivation. A greenhouse allows for harvests regardless of weather conditions and provides access to fresh vegetables and greens nearly year-round. "While others were still planting, we were already cooking borsch from our own vegetables," says Nina from the village of Harkushyntsi with a smile, pointing proudly to her rows of plants. Her homestead was recognized as one of the best in the community.

Some recipients used their grants to purchase modern equipment and improve their production. Olha, another participant of the program, bought a milking machine. "There aren’t many cows in the village, so people really appreciate fresh, homemade milk and cheese," she explains. Her dairy products are now in steady demand.

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Valentyna, also from Harkushyntsi, used the grant to purchase a dough mixer. She bakes various types of bread and makes dumplings ‘varenyky, pelmeni’ and cabbage rolls ‘holubtsi’ for sale. However, due to problems with the joints, kneading dough by hand was becoming increasingly difficult. The new equipment has significantly reduced her physical workload. Most of her customers are neighbors, though she occasionally receives orders from the nearby town of Myrhorod. While profit remains modest, she now has more energy to devote to her work. She also runs a YouTube channel where she shares recipes and stories from her life.

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One year after the programme's completion, the quality of life in the Myrhorod community has noticeably improved. Residents are now better equipped to care for themselves. Those who installed greenhouses are satisfied with the results and are already considering expansion. The livestock and poultry acquired through the grant support allow vulnerable families to feed themselves with nutritious food, while the new equipment has improved economic activities enhancing their livelihoods. Many people say they consume most of what they grow or produce, selling only small surpluses. At the same time, they now have choices that were previously out of reach—whether to purchase essentials, support loved ones, or reinvest in their farms.

These changes have given people confidence that their work matters—and that it has a future. The grant was not just cash for livelihoods—it was a boost for new ideas, plans, and recovery. Here, in the heart of rural Ukraine, people know that real life is built with their own hands.