Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and massive destructive attacks across the country, the involvement of Ukrainian civil society in recovery processes has significantly increased. At the same time, the ongoing war has created obstacles and increased challenges for the civic society sector. This shows the research "Honestly about Recovery," conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation on ISAR Ednannia’s request.
Research illustrates the main problems for civil society organizations (CSOs) in the recovery sphere:
- Lack of technical support from the state.
- Shortage of qualified staff and volunteers.
- Lack of systematic and coordinated cooperation with local authorities.
- Accessibility of information on activity algorithms and strategies in recovery processes
- Lack of trust between public and local authorities.
According to researchers, solving these issues may come from: the development of tools and mechanisms for effective coordination between CSOs and local self-government bodies (LSGBs); mapping existing projects and needs, prioritizing recovery areas, and distributing roles for each stakeholder about the regional context and population needs; implementing measures to increase trust between CSOs and LSGBs through transparent procedures and regular joint meetings, ensuring nationwide support for CSOs in the recovery sphere, including bureaucratic facilitation and institutional support for civic initiatives; and developing educational activities to engage youth to develop careers in the sphere of Ukraine's recovery and renovation.
Importantly, for the effective renovation of Ukraine's oblasts, cooperation between CSOs, local self-government bodies, the state, and international donors is essential to facilitate effective engagement of human resources, improve coordination, and increase trust among the renovation process participants.
Research in Ukrainian is at the ISAR Ednannia Analytical Library.
This research is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in partnership with the Ukrainian Center of Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM). The contents are not the responsibility of ISAR Ednannia and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
