Mariia Tyshchenko, a project researcher and honorary doctorate recipient at Malmö University, has established the nonprofit organization “Poruch” in Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they have focused on emergency aid and humanitarian efforts. Mariia Tyshchenko fights for security and freedom. The goal is to create a society where all people have equal rights.
In 2015, Mariia Tyshchenko came to Sweden to participate in the Swedish Institute’s educational program, the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP), and the course “Sustainable Public Management” offered by Malmö University.
– “Sweden opened up an international dimension with new perspectives, ideas, and contacts, which gave me a renewed determination to expand and develop the democratic values and principles that we stood for and continue to stand for,” she says.
Since then, Mariia Tyshchenko has collaborated with faculty from Malmö University on issues related to social sustainability and social innovation in Ukraine.
“I see myself as an activist. Research is the foundation that allows me to contribute to change,” she says.
It started with strengthening local communities
In 2016, Mariia Tyshchenko founded the nonprofit organization “Poruch,” which works actively to support local communities in Ukraine, strengthen civil society organizations, promote the integration of internally displaced persons, and build peace in post-conflict areas of the Donbas.
“I care about people, and I care about people getting involved in their local communities, because that kind of participation is at the heart of an inclusive and mature democracy,” says Mariia Tyshchenko.
The projects are carried out in collaboration
Mariia and “Poruch” have launched approximately 119 projects, often focusing on women, young people, and people with disabilities in Ukraine. The projects are carried out in collaboration with local organizations and international partners. Mariia Tyshchenko has worked extensively to implement gender equality and anti-discrimination plans at both the local and national political levels in her home country.
“It has been very successful, but there are still those who oppose it, often for religious reasons,” she says.
“Apathy and a sense of ‘powerlessness’ were the biggest challenges at the start of our work as the NGO ‘Poruch.’ People in post-Soviet countries lacked personal conviction and had little understanding of social responsibility, and the idea of participating in a formerly hierarchical structure as an equal citizen didn’t exist.” We changed this by giving people democratic tools, Mariia Tyshchenko continues.
There is a great need for aid and support for Ukraine
Due to the war, all projects in Ukraine are currently on hold. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there has been a great need for military, humanitarian, and financial support for Ukraine. Support is also needed for civilian crisis management and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
“Right now, we’re focusing on emergency aid and humanitarian efforts. In collaboration with Malmö University, we helped evacuate people with disabilities from Kharkiv to Sweden,” says Mariia Tyshchenko.
“I’m also involved in finding study opportunities abroad for Ukrainian students. You can’t study or concentrate on an exam when you hear bombs falling overhead. We need help simplifying the procedures so they can study in other countries,” she continues.
Russia’s 2022 invasion had a personal impact on Mariia Tyshchenko. Her hometown was occupied. The invading forces committed horrific crimes. She was forced to sleep on the floor of a subway station with her son, while the sound of explosions thundered overhead. They were forced to move to western Ukraine, and from there they fled to Sweden.
Research on geopolitical aspects and human security
In 2022, Mariia Tyshchenko was awarded an honorary doctorate from Malmö University for her work in the fields of human rights, gender equality, and peace. Mariia Tyshchenko’s research focuses on identifying barriers to women’s social inclusion in decision-making during and after times of war and on developing strategies to address these challenges in Ukraine and in host countries for Ukrainian persons under temporary protection.
– “A focus on geopolitical and human security aspects could lead to the development of a special research program and new networks within security studies,” she says.
Learn more about Mariia Tyshchenko
Mariia Tyshchenko has been nominated as a Champion of Local Democracy by the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICDL). Read more about the nomination for Champion of Local Democracy here.