The Dolyna town in Ukraine and the Ustrzyki Dolne commune in Poland were united by a common need – the need to provide good medical care for children with disabilities. Both places have received large numbers of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian aggression. These are mainly women with children who need assistance, including psychological support. Introducing rehabilitation, recovery and psychological support services for children is a difficult challenge for both communities. Due to the lack of adequate experience, conditions, equipment and budgetary resources, it is not easy to undertake them alone. The two local governments have therefore decided to work together, across borders.

As part of the project 'SOS for children's health' (acronym SOS4Children), the partners plan to improve the physical and mental health of children with disabilities with the support of the Interreg NEXT Poland – Ukraine 2021-2027. The signing of the partnership agreement on 5^th March in Ustrzyki Dolne is the beginning of a common journey towards this goal.

This project is another example of how international partnerships and joint efforts can enhance community development, emphasised the Mayor of the Dolyna town, Ivan Dyriv.

Thanks to this agreement, a Children's Health Rehabilitation and Sensory Integration Centre will be created to support our youngest residents, enthuses the Mayor of Ustrzyki Dolne, Michał Wnuk.

The existing Children's Health Centre in Dolyna will be modernised and a new rehabilitation facility, the Children's Health Rehabilitation and Sensory Integration Centre, will be established in Ustrzyki Dolne.

The Children's Health Rehabilitation and Sensory Integration Centre will be established here.

The centres will receive new specialised equipment to provide comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation. Young patients from both villages will be able to benefit from new medical services: rehabilitation, sensory and speech therapy, psychological care, palliative care. In addition, existing treatment, diagnostic, preventive, intensive and emergency care services will be developed in Dolyna. Thanks to the cooperation between the two facilities, children from Poland will be able to receive treatment in Dolyna and children from Ukraine will be able to receive rehabilitation in Ustrzyki Dolne. The partners will work together to improve the professional competence and exchange experience of the medical staff of both centres. An information campaign will help create interaction between the centres and local residents to raise awareness of children's health.

The total project budget is 2,067,985.09 EUR, of which 1,716,427.63 EUR is Programme funding.