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The population of Ukraine is now around 20 million less than in 1991, the year of gaining independence. Due to full-scale war, nearly 5 million Ukrainians moved abroad, especially youth and young families. Additionally, Ukraine bears daily casualties among Ukrainian servicepeople and civilians. Therefore, Ukraine ages rapidly, with older people constituting 25% of the population, according to the latest data from UNHCR.
Starenki Charitable Foundation, established in 2017, works to address the needs of older people living alone in Ukraine by providing essential support and promoting dignified ageing. The foundation’s core activity is the distribution of basic aid packages, which help meet everyday needs of older people who often lack family support and face social isolation. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, Starenki has significantly adapted its work to respond to emerging humanitarian challenges. In addition to regular assistance, the foundation has supported older people affected by the war through emergency aid provision following evacuations from frontline areas and during infrastructure disruptions such as blackouts.
Starenki operates through a network of local partners across ten regions of Ukraine. These partnerships enable the foundation to identify needs at the community level and ensure that assistance is delivered effectively and in a timely manner. At the same time, the organization continues to expand its volunteer base, engaging communities in cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, and Dnipro, and involving younger people — particularly students — in supporting older generations. Beyond direct aid, Starenki contributes to shaping age-friendly society in Ukraine. The foundation works to strengthen intergenerational connections, reduce social isolation, and challenge stereotypes around ageing. Drawing on international experience and good practices, Starenki also collaborates with and
supports local initiatives that promote the wellbeing and social inclusion of older people, ensuring they are recognized as active and valued members of society.
Regular support for lonely older adults who have relied on our assistance since 2017, achieved by bringing together local businesses, educational institutions, and youth organizations; crisis response in the regions where we operate;
Organizing social events (“tea parties”) to encourage dialogue between younger generations and older adults and to promote this practice in regions at the local level, including transferring this practice to local organizations;
Covering the lives of older adults, their rights, and interests in the media and at national and international conferences; conducting educational lectures; organizing annual awareness campaigns in October on the occasion of Older Persons Day.
Since 2022, the Foundation has been supporting older people during the cold season, when attacks on critical infrastructure often leave Ukrainians without electricity and heating. Starenki provides warm kits designed to help older people cope with winter conditions and temporary power and heating outages. The kits include essential items such as a duvet, flashlight or candles,thermos, hot water bottle, pillow and blanket. The warm kits are meant to provide minimal daily comfort and safety for older people in cold seasons in Ukraine.
Older adults in Ukraine have become increasingly isolated, because they are often separated from their families (displacement, military service, or loss). Starenki organizes social gatherings, known as “tea parties,” which create a safe and welcoming space for communication, creativity, and shared experiences. These events help support the emotional well-being of seniors. The initiative actively engages younger volunteers, including students, fostering meaningful interactions between generations. Starenki is working to expand this practice across regions and smaller communities in Ukraine, as it represents a simple and effective approach to supporting the social inclusion and reintegration of older people into community life.