The study is devoted to substantiating a new integrated model of development of Ukrainian communities based on the concept of Humanity 5.0, which combines spiritual, intellectual, social and economic dimensions of development. The relevance of the work is determined by the deep transformations that Ukrainian communities are experiencing in the conditions of war losses, demographic crisis, changes in social practices, weakening of traditional institutions and the need to form a new culture of coexistence, cooperation and solidarity. An analysis of modern Ukrainian and European approaches to community development (LEADER, integrated strategies, public participation models) revealed the need to develop systemic solutions focused on the development of human potential, spiritual and mental health of society and strengthening cooperative forms of the economy. The work summarizes the theoretical and methodological principles of the Humanity 5.0 model, which considers a person as a creator, co-creator and bearer of dignity, and the community as a space for revealing talents, forming trust, responsibility and social unity. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the state and challenges of the Valkivska urban territorial community, which became a pilot for the implementation of the integral model. Based on demographic, social, economic and cultural-educational research, the need for creating a comprehensive project for the development of human potential, covering the spiritual, intellectual, mental, cultural and socio-economic levels, is substantiated. The article presents the structure and content of the project “Valkivska community — integral community of Humanity 5.0”, which consists of four systemic areas: the formation of human potential, the development of integral health, the construction of a cooperative economy and the implementation of innovative and digital solutions. The leading project “Formation of creative human potential”, focused on spiritual and intellectual education and the creation of a new culture of interaction in the community, is presented in detail. The priority projects of this systemic project: “Community through the Eyes of Children”, “My Place of Strength”, “Vision of the Valkiv Community 2035–2045”, “Development of Cooperative Culture”, "Development of the "Valkiv Open University for the Development of Integral Communities of Humanity 5.0" are aimed at developing spiritual identity, intergenerational dialogue, social interaction, creativity and integral thinking. The conditions for the successful implementation of the model are analyzed: a culture of trust, horizontal and vertical cooperation, facilitated dialogues, open spaces of creativity, leadership of service and community development assessment indices. It is proven that a comprehensive integral approach, based on the values of dignity, solidarity and responsibility, can become the basis of a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of Ukrainian communities and contribute to the restoration of the country on new civilizational principles. The experience of the Valkiv community proves that creative human potential is the driving force of integral development and can become a model of humanistic progress for other communities in Ukraine.

Abstract. The study identifies the main channels of hostile destructive influence within Ukraine’s information environment, assessing their effectiveness and role in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Despite the escalation of armed confrontation, a considerable share of Ukrainian citizens continued to consume Russian media, which broadcast anti-Ukrainian narratives and justified aggression as the “protection of the people of Donbas” or the defense of Russian and Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine. Although state authorities recognized these threats, they were unable to prevent the activities of Russian and pro-Russian media resources. Bans on certain outlets, bloggers, and influencers had only limited effect, as many continued subversive activities by migrating to alternative platforms. A key factor in strengthening resilience to hostile influences proved to be the promotion of media literacy. Ukrainian civil society played an important role in countering enemy propaganda by debunking disinformation and reducing the impact of information and psychological operations. The role of prominent influencers was particularly significant given their wide reach. At the same time, a persistent problem during the localized stage of the war was the failure to foster among citizens an understanding of the conflict as existential for Ukraine, which led to underestimation of the risks posed by Russia’s pursuit of imperial ambitions in foreign policy. Keywords: Russian-Ukrainian war, local war, information warfare, destructive influences, discursive practices

Problem. Effective spatial development of territorial communities requires integration of ecological and landscape planning into urban planning documentation. However, current Ukrainian legislation provides limited regulation of landscape planning as part of comprehensive spatial development plans, which complicates environmental protection and sustainable land use. Goal. The goal of this study is to analyze the normative and legal framework governing the development of landscape plans within comprehensive spatial development plans for territorial communities in Ukraine, identifying gaps and inconsistencies. Methodology. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of Ukrainian legislation, including laws, government resolutions, and state building norms related to spatial planning and landscape regulation. Comparative legal analysis and document content analysis methods were used. Results. It was found that key regulatory acts, such as the Law on Regulation of Urban Development (2011) and the 2020 amendments on land use planning, provide a general framework but insufficient detail on landscape planning. The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 926 (2021) and State Building Norms DBN B.1.1-14:2021 define the structure and requirements for landscape planning more clearly. Some discrepancies remain between required content and actual objects reflected on landscape plans. Originality. This study highlights the insufficient integration of landscape planning in urban development legislation and suggests the need for more precise normative regulation to ensure environmental and landscape protection within territorial community planning. Practical value. The results can inform legislative improvements and help planners better integrate landscape considerations into spatial development plans, promoting sustainable and balanced land use in Ukrainian territorial communities.

This article examines the processes of consolidation within the Ukrainian community in Greece following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. It explores how self-organized initiatives by Ukrainians in Greece during the initial phase of the full-scale war transformed into institutionalized forms of civic and volunteer engagement, and assesses their contribution to providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as well as supporting Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Greece. The study highlights the activities of Ukrainian civil society organizations, grassroots initiatives and volunteers, focusing on the collection and delivery of humanitarian aid, the implementation of information campaigns in support of Ukraine, and the provision of comprehensive assistance to newly arrived Ukrainians. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between these structures, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Hellenic Republic, Greek governmental institutions, and local civil society organizations, which facilitated effective coordination, optimized resource allocation, and strengthened the overall capacity of the Ukrainian community. A pivotal moment in the development of the Ukrainian diaspora in Greece was the 2022 unification of various Ukrainian associations into a United Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece. This consolidation enhanced communication, organizational coherence, and the visibility of the Ukrainian community within Greek society. The article also traces the role of diaspora institutions in preserving Ukrainian identity through Sunday schools, cultural initiatives, educational programs, and artistic projects. The findings suggest that the consolidation of the Ukrainian community in Greece has not only been a critical factor in increasing the volume and effectiveness of humanitarian support to Ukraine but has also served as a vital mechanism for developing a robust civic resource capable of playing a significant role in the post-war reconstruction and development of Ukraine.

This systematic review examines the role of project management in restoring the economies of Ukrainian territorial communities, particularly in the post-2022 context marked by conflict, infrastructural damage, and socio-economic disruption. Utilizing the PRISMA methodology, 52 peer-reviewed studies (2018–2024) were analysed to identify strategies, success factors, and challenges in applying project-oriented approaches to local governance. Key findings reveal that digitization, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive frameworks significantly enhance recovery outcomes by improving transparency, resource allocation, and community engagement. For instance, digital tools reduced project delays by 20% in Mykolaiv, while cluster models in Lviv fostered economic diversification. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies (affecting 70% of projects), resource scarcity (85%), and skill gaps (60%) persist as critical barriers. The review raises the question of the fit between global funding architectures and local contexts, suggesting that the purpose of implementing hybridized structures is to address this discrepancy. The recommendations include dispersion of management authority, establishing capacity development programs, and using flexible, conflict-neutral approaches to project structuring. Therefore, policymakers, local governments, and international organizations must adopt participatory frameworks that combine technical expertise with socio-political flexibility.Copyright© 2025 The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the license CC-BY 4.0., which permits any further distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Article’s history: Received 15th of October, 2025; Revised form 19th of November, 2025; Accepted 4th of December, 2025; Available online: 30th of December, 2025. Published as article in the Volume XX, Winter, Issue 4(90), December 2025.

Based on the methodology of linguistic landscapes (LLs) and semiotic landscape research, this article highlights recent changes in the LL of German cities. The article explores LL data collected by the author in German cities and towns, mainly in the state of Hesse. Additionally, images from social media, especially from groups of Ukrainians in Germany, are also included in the analysis. The presence of Ukrainian symbols (flags and national colors) and language appeared as a reaction of the German society toward Russia's full-scale invasion and the war against Ukraine. Forced mass migration, known also as the Ukrainian refugee crisis, transformed language surroundings in the German big cities as well as in small towns and villages, where refugees are settled. Ukrainian language and symbolics are markers of identity (on the bottom-up level) and support (on the top-down level). They appear in public and semi-public spaces and are constructed by a variety of actors including state organizations, small and middle businesses, non-government organizations, and Ukrainian communities (formed by traditional diaspora, work migrants, and newcomers). Ukrainians in Germany actively form their places of belonging and enhance them with national symbols and language when interacting with German authorities and society, and these processes are reflected in LL tokens.

Abstract This paper adds to the growing body of literature investigating Ukrainian women refugees’ framing of their experience as forced migrants. Using semi-structured interviews with 11 Ukrainian women refugees currently residing in Romania, we explore how these women navigate the complexities of adaptation and integration in Romania. We examine their perception of refugee status, negotiation of belonging to various transnational social spaces and problematization of their lived experiences as women, mothers and main decision-makers of their families. We are equally interested in identifying the factors that empower them to rebuild their lives and foster resilience in the host country. Our analysis shows that resilient adaptation is the result of an accumulation of everyday problem-solving, professional achievement and anchoring in re-invented roles as caregivers and advocates for Ukrainian communities.

The article examines the need to implement a project approach to managing the development of territorial communities in Ukraine in accordance with the standards and experience of the European Union (EU). Scientific approaches to determining the essence of project management in the public sphere are analyzed, the main trends of its development in the context of the decentralization reform are summarized. It was determined that the project-program management model is an effective tool for ensuring the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the activities of local self-government bodies, as well as increasing the effectiveness of strategic budgeting and the effective use of international technical assistance. The regulatory-legal and institutional-administrative bases of the EU and Ukraine in the field of application of the project approach to local development have been studied. In particular, the main methodologies, approaches and tools of project management in the public sphere, as well as the principles of new public management, good governance and sustainable development, as well as the concept of multi-level governance, are analyzed. The main directions of adaptation of these standards to Ukrainian practice have been determined, namely: harmonization of regulatory and legal procedures, development of institutional capacity and personnel potential, digitalization of management processes, development of partnerships in the format of multi-level governance, as well as implementation of innovative financing mechanisms for local development projects. It is substantiated that the integration of European principles of project management into the public administration system of Ukraine will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the implementation of strategies for the development of territorial communities, strengthening the institutional capacity of local authorities and forming a new management paradigm focused on results and sustainable development.

The article examines the role of adaptive sport as a tool for the social integration of youth with disabilities within Ukrainian communities. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the significance of adaptive sport in building inclusive environments and to identify ways to enhance its effectiveness in the context of decentralization and community development. The research was conducted in the Obukhiv community and involved 60 respondents, including young people with disabilities aged 16–25, coaches, and representatives of local non-governmental organizations. A combination of methods was applied: surveys, structured interviews, observation, and an experimental intervention. For the experimental group (n=20), a 16-week program of adaptive sport was implemented, which included two training sessions per week with a combination of general physical exercises, individualized tasks, team games, and elements of psychological support. The control group (n=20) continued with their usual lifestyle without systematic involvement in sport. The findings demonstrate that participation in the adaptive sport program significantly improved the index of social integration, self-esteem levels, and the frequency of participation in sports activities. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed statistically significant and practically meaningful changes (p<0.05; effect size >1.0). The study also revealed key barriers to participation, such as insufficient infrastructure, limited access to specialized equipment, lack of qualified coaches, and psychological factors related to self-confidence and social stigma. At the same time, important motivating factors were identified, including opportunities for socialization, health benefits, and role models from Paralympic athletes. The results confirm that adaptive sport is an effective mechanism for promoting social inclusion of youth with disabilities and can be recommended for integration into local community development strategies.

Revising the ‘locations of elaboration’ in group analysis shows that large groups have no less developmental and therapeutic impact on the individual and his relationship to society than small groups. The group-analytic large group can be considered as the potential space where the relations between individuals and their society can be investigated, elaborated and transformed. If free floating discussion is facilitated in the interaction among large group members, including the conductors, communication will allow the creation of a community in which even unbearable conflicts can be named and often contained and elaborated. Large groups provide a unique space in our modern life, where disordered relations with internal and external authorities can be faced and many other collective preoccupations coped with. Groups of 40+ participants are optimally prone to the elaboration of emerging shared concerns ranging from inclusion to rejection, socio-political identity formation, the splitting to subgroups and the restoration of peace-oriented matrices, as well as the accompaniment of war processes and other existential matrices. Adding to the experiences with large groups per se, the potential and experiences with mixing large and small groups (e.g. the Sandwich or the Reflective Citizenship models) provide for even more unique opportunities to elaborate and digest social threats and excitements. Such multidimensional therapeutic space, enabled by fluid ‘locations of elaboration’ (Foulkes, 1948; Friedman 2024), extends the traditional group-analytic space for growth and therapy. These processes will be exemplified by a recent three-year process with Ukrainian colleagues.

The study focuses on analyzing the popularity of various types of physical activity among school-age children in selected European Union countries, which is particularly relevant in the context of reforming physical education in Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to identify the main trends in children’s involvement in different sports in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The research is based on national studies, official statistical reports, and report cards on children’s physical activity. The results indicate the dominance of football among boys and the consistent popularity of swimming among both genders in the analyzed countries. The study also reveals discrepancies between school physical education practices and students’ interests, as well as the significant influence of social factors on the choice of sports activities.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of modern approaches to strategic planning for the development of territorial communities in Ukraine in the context of socio-economic instability and growing external challenges. The impact of martial law, economic risks, demographic changes, and limited resources on the implementation of strategic documents at the local level is revealed. It has been determined that effective strategic planning in territorial communities is based on a well-founded combination of analytical tools and a clear methodological approach, which ensures the high-quality formulation of goals and the consistent implementation of strategies. To comprehensively assess the internal potential of a community and the external conditions influencing it, various methodological tools are widely used in the theory and practice of local strategic planning. The key methodological tools of strategic analysis (SWOT, PESTLE, SMART, LogFrame) are characterized and their role in ensuring the effectiveness of management decisions is determined. The practical results of the application of strategic management are analyzed using examples of real communities. Typical problems of the strategic process are summarized, in particular, the declarative nature of documents, staff shortages, weak stakeholder participation, and the absence of a monitoring system. Conclusions are drawn regarding the prospects for the implementation of adaptive, flexible models of strategy taking into account digital technologies, institutional capacity, and active public participation. Under conditions of wartime and socio-economic instability, a development strategy ceases to be merely a tool for long-term forecasting and transforms into an adaptive mechanism for crisis response and sustainable governance. Directions for further research in the field of local strategic management in the context of military and post-war transformation are proposed.

The article explores the personality of Vasyl Topolnytskyi — an ideologist, founder, and organizer of the Ukrainian cooperative and credit movement in Canada during the first half of the twentieth century. It highlights his life path, the social environment of his formation, and the key factors that shaped his worldview and determined his active participation in Ukrainian public life overseas. The study analyses Topolnytskyi’s contribution to the development of cooperative ideas among Ukrainian immigrants, as well as his understanding of cooperation as an effective means of economic self-help, social integration, and national consolidation. The article identifies the contribution of the cooperative structures he established to strengthening the economic, cultural, and national foundations of the Ukrainian community in Canada. Special attention is given to Topolnytskyi’s founding of the first Ukrainian credit unions, particularly “Carpathia Credit Union”, which became a center not only of financial assistance but also of cultural and educational activity. The mechanisms of organizing and managing cooperative institutions are examined, including the principles of financial responsibility, trust, and mutual support that he consistently implemented in practice. The study outlines the impact of the economic crisis of 1929–1930 on the cooperative movement and Topolnytskyi’s role in its revival and adaptation to new social conditions. The article emphasizes Topolnytskyi’s leadership qualities and communicative skills, as well as his ability to unite the community around common national, cultural, and socio-economic goals. His activity as a publicist, editor, and civic leader is also examined — one who shaped public opinion, promoted cooperative ideas through the press, and strengthened the sense of solidarity among Ukrainians in Canada. His work is shown to have not only economic but also ideological significance, affirming the values of active citizenship, service to the common good, and responsibility toward the nation. The study concludes that Vasyl Topolnytskyi made a significant contribution to the history of the Ukrainian cooperative movement and to the development of the social and cultural life of Ukrainians in Canada. It stresses the need for further comprehensive research into his life and intellectual legacy as an integral part of the history of Ukrainian emigration, its socio-economic institutions, and its strategies of cultural self-preservation.

The paper discusses how the war affects decentralization processes in Ukraine including changes in fiscal responsibilities and distribution of power. The discussion is based on the thesis that decentralization increases local resilience and plays a crucial role in the future recovery. However, the conducted analysis supports the idea that more decentralisation is not necessarily connected to better economic outcomes. Improving local governments’ performance is a crucial point for future decentralization in Ukraine. Despite the recognition of Ukrainian decentralization reform as one of the most successful and advanced in terms of its implementation even before the full-scale invasion, there were still a number of unresolved issues hampering the development of capable communities (hromadas), including low managerial capacities of local authorities, and lack of understanding of the management system at the local level. The full-scale russian invasion brough new challenges and put a lot of Ukrainian local communities under severe pressure to make immediate decisions. However, according to expert opinions, the decentralization was one of the main factors of survival of many Ukrainian local communities during the first days and weeks of the invasion as local authorities already had an experience of making independent decisions without getting a ‘call from Kyiv’. Recently local communities in Ukraine lost a significant part of their financial resources due to the changes in tax legislation and got a significant task to ensure recovery and rebuilding which is an extraordinary challenge in the current situation.

The purpose of this article is to substantiate the conceptual foundations of organization territorial communities’ spatial planning in post-war Ukraine by GIS and providing an example of practical implementation these position for the territory of Lysyanska community the Cherkasy Region. The main material. The theoretical and methodological foundations of geoinformation support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning in post-war Ukraine are considered, including consideration of essence and features the organization this type of work, analysis the experience of using GIS to solve spatial planning problems at the regional level, substantiation of structural components the system of geographic information support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning, and the examples of practical implementation the theoretical developments for Lysyanska territorial community the Cherkasy Region. In general, geoinformation support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning in Ukraine should be directed to the cartographic component of the relevant strategic and planning documents, primarily to the making of a comprehensive plan for spatial development of the territory as a mandatory component of land management documentation, where planning decisions for prospective using the community territory are cartographically visualized. Geoinformation support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning in post-war Ukraine should cover the main components of spatial planning and land use management in the context of individual communities. Accordingly, in the structure of geographic information support system for spatial planning of an individual community, the following blocks are distinguished: general geographic, inventory and cadastral, land use monitoring/landscape change monitoring unit and territorial development planning block. The practical implementation of geographic information support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning can be the creation of: 1) A comprehensive GIS product for community territory management; 2) A specialized GIS product aimed at solving certain spatial planning tasks, such as the making of a comprehensive, strategic plan for the development of the community territory; 3) Geoportal of the territorial community on the Internet; 4) Separate GIS projects containing a certain set of vector geodata and/or maps of structural components (blocks) of geographic information support system for territorial community, for example, a map of monitoring land use with a correlated geodata database The proposed theoretical propositions were tested on the territory of Lysyanska territorial community the Cherkasy Region by creating two separate GIS projects – GIS project of the general geographic block of geoinformation support for organization territorial communities’ spatial planning and GIS project of Lysyanska communities land fund for inventory and cadastral block. Conclusions and further research. Spatial planning of territorial communities in Ukraine, being an integral part of the formation of strategy for development these territorial units, the organization of rational use the available resources and formation of sustainable land use, acquires special importance during the post-war time due to the provision of greater financial revenues to local authorities under the conditions of decentralization. The practical implementation of the above requires prompt processing and analysis of numerous materials, including textual, graphic, cartographic both at the stage of collecting initial data on the territory of the community, and at the stage of analysis, modeling and management decision-making, which can be implemented through geographic information support. The system of geographic information support of spatial planning for individual community includes the following blocks: general geographic, inventory and cadastral, land use monitoring/landscape change monitoring unit and territorial development planning block, which generally provides systematization of available resources in the geodatabase form with the possibility of cartographic visualization in the form of strategic and planning documents. A promising area of research is the development of conceptual foundations for creating a mobile application on iOS and Android for visualization of the community’s territory geodatabase in formats for official and public use, including the geoportal form for public monitoring of the implementation of planning decisions and the state of land use.

ABSTRACT This article examines how the presence – or absence – of a functioning nation-state shapes national identity in diaspora. Drawing on comparative fieldwork among Ukrainian communities in Romania, Moldova, Transnistria, Poland, and the Czech Republic, it shows that identity is sustained not through constant affirmation, but at critical junctures – via education, institutions, commemorations, and symbolic acts. Where the Ukrainian state maintains engagement, identity proves resilient; where it withdraws, identity fades or realigns with host-state frameworks. The findings challenge essentialist views of ethnicity and language as sufficient markers of belonging. Instead, identity emerges as a strategic enactment shaped by institutional scaffolding and state presence. The article contributes to debates in nationalism and diaspora studies by refining theories of identity construction and proposing a typology of diaspora–state relations, ranging from ‘symbolic continuity’ to ‘institutional displacement’.

Abstract Background Polish segment of the RIVER-EU project aimed to assess health system barriers to HPV vaccination among Ukrainian migrants and refugees (UMR) in Poland. Objectives To evaluate effects of an HPV vaccine educational intervention on knowledge and vaccine intent in UMR parents in Poland. Methods A 4-component intervention was conducted. This method was used based on the effectiveness of another evidence-based HPV vaccine educational intervention on vaccine completion in a low-income migrant population. Its transferability was checked and adjusted for local needs. A study was conducted among 178 UMR parents (February-July 2024). Recruited parents were registered to the network of primary care clinics in Rzeszow, Poland. Four Ukrainian GPs were trained to deliver 9 group interventions; this had to be changed to 27 individual sessions after an erroneous suspicion of HPV vaccine adverse effects which spread out in Ukrainian community and resulted in recruiting crisis. Results Majority of participants were female (84.3%) and those aged >30 years (77.5%). For 59.6% UMR knowledge scores about HPV were low (≤50%). Only 30.3% knew all possible routes of HPV transmission, 39.9% knew male HPV-related neoplasms. The intervention significantly improved HPV knowledge by 63.4% (pre: mean 5.2, SD ± 2.1; post: mean 8.2, SD ± 1.7; p < 0.0001). Parents who attended individual education had lower pre-intervention scores, however, they outperformed parents who participated in the group sessions in post intervention knowledge. Ukrainian mothers and parents with higher SES significantly improved the vaccine intent after intervention (56.6% to 64.8%, p = 0.04 and 55.3% to 73.9%, p = 0.046 respectively). Conclusions The findings underscore the importance of advocating for culturally appropriate interventions to improve HPV vaccination knowledge and intent to vaccinate UMR children.

The article systematises and comprehensively analyses key marketing imperatives, on the basis of which a conceptual model of strategic management of rural economic development in the context of contemporary socio-economic transformations has been developed. It is theoretically substantiated that in the context of intensifying urbanisation processes, digitalisation of society and globalisation challenges, the traditional model of rural economic development, focused mainly on extensive raw material production, is losing its relevance and does not ensure sustainable socio-economic progress. It is emphasised that the deepening demographic crisis, the reduction of the labour force and the degradation of social infrastructure require a change in the management paradigm for rural areas. It has been proven that effective strategic management of the rural economy should be based on marketing imperatives that set new benchmarks for sustainable development. The main scientific approaches to the classification of marketing imperatives based on functional, managerial, value and industry criteria have been analysed, and their complementarity in the construction of an integrated management system has been identified. A holistic approach to the formation of a conceptual model for the development of the rural economy is proposed, based on five interrelated marketing imperatives: territorial branding; diversification of economic activity and creation of added value; digital transformation; cooperation and building value chains; sustainability and implementation of green marketing tools. It is argued that their systematic integration creates a synergistic effect that contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of rural areas, attracting investment, revitalising local entrepreneurship, improving quality of life and strengthening territorial identity. The proposed model is seen as a conceptual roadmap for state and local authorities, aimed at ensuring post-war economic recovery, increasing social cohesion and long-term sustainable development of rural communities in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to rethinking the role of marketing — from a secondary management function to the strategic core of the territorial development model.

BackgroundDespite the availability of HPV vaccines, uptake remains low among Ukrainian adolescents. Educational interventions can enhance parents’ knowledge and intent regarding HPV vaccination.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a prospective, culturally tailored, evidence-based HPV vaccine face-to-face educational intervention on knowledge and vaccine intent among Ukrainian migrant and refugee (UMR) parents in Poland, utilizing a pre-post design.MethodsA study was conducted among 178 UMR parents between February and July 2024. Using telephone calls, research staff recruited consecutive parents registered to the network of primary care clinics “Medyk” in Rzeszów, Poland. Eligible parents were those having children aged 9–17 years, who had not completed the HPV vaccination. They completed pre- and post-data on HPV knowledge and intent. Four female Ukrainian GPs were trained to deliver 9 group interventions (2 h each); this had to be changed to 27 individual 1-h sessions after an erroneous suspicion of HPV vaccine adverse effects, which spread out in the Ukrainian community and resulted in a recruiting crisis. Data were analyzed using McNemar’s test and multilevel regression analysis.ResultsThe majority of participants were female (84.3%) and aged >30 years (77.5%); 59.6% of UMR parents presented a low knowledge level (≤50%). Only 30.3% knew all possible routes of HPV transmission, and 39.9% knew male HPV-related neoplasms. The intervention significantly improved HPV knowledge by 63.4% (pre: 5.2, SD ± 2.1; post: 8.2, SD ± 1.7; p < 0.0001). Parents who attended individual education had lower pre-intervention scores but outperformed parents who participated in the group sessions in post-intervention knowledge. Ukrainian mothers and parents with higher SES showed a significant improvement in vaccine intent after the intervention, from 56.6 to 64.8%, p = 0.04, and from 55.3 to 73.9%, p = 0.046, respectively.ConclusionThe study finds that educational interventions for UMR parents can improve their understanding of HPV and support informed vaccination decisions for their children. The integration of specific approaches—such as culturally sensitive messaging, the utilization of trained Ukrainian presenters, and tailored health literacy strategies based on the community needs—may provide critical support for future implementation efforts.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and it is one of the major global health problems. Most of the people with obesity first of all visit a primary care physician. However, the diagnosis and management of such patients is often entrusted to other healthcare professionals, such as endocrinologists, nutritionists, gastroenterologists, etc. Due to the shortage and often inaccessibility of highly specialised medical care, most obese patients do not have a diagnosis and do not receive rational treatment for their disease. Despite the growing prevalence of obesity and its association with other comorbidities, the percentage of doctors diagnosing and treating obesity is low. The objective: to identify challenges and gaps in the work of family physicians in the treatment of obesity, to analyze the needs and opportunities for improvement. Materials and methods. As part of our study, we developed and implemented an anonymous online questionnaire targeting primary care physicians. Results. At the time of publication, 130 doctors had completed the questionnaire. The analysis of the results shows that most of the surveyed doctors had relatively short professional experience – up to 5 years. At the same time, 28.2% of the respondents had a significant work experience of more than 20 years, and 18.3% of the survey participants had work experience in the range of 10–20 years. Of the 130 doctors surveyed, as of the beginning of December 2024, 99 physicians worked as general practitioners (76.15%). Also, 20 general practitioners (15.38%) who provide outpatient care, and a few obstetrician-gynaecologists, gastroenterologists and endocrinologists completed our questionnaire. 21.1% of doctors reported that there were no scales in their offices, and about 20% said they did not have a height meter. These figures indicate a significant shortage of basic equipment necessary for quality screening, monitoring and management of overweight (OW) and obese patients. Conclusions. Only 25% of doctors follow current Ukrainian and international recommendations for screening and diagnosing obesity and OW. Almost a third of doctors inform patients about their diagnosis of OW or obesity. However, barriers to communication, such as fear of a negative patient reaction or lack of time, require the implementation of training programmes to develop doctors’ communication skills. Currently, the data presented are interim, our research is still ongoing, and we will definitely share the results with the medical community in Ukraine.