The project involved the engagement of civil society organizations and active citizens in the development, implementation, and monitoring of post-war community development, the organization of a multi-level dialogue and discussions on a shared vision of post-war recovery and development, and the involvement of the diaspora and temporarily displaced persons abroad in the post-war development of communities and Ukraine as a whole.
The project was implemented with the assistance of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and funded by USAID.
Project areas of activity
Engagement of citizens in the development and implementation of post-war community development strategies.
Evaluation and recommendations on the efficiency of using the resources of community-owned enterprises and budgetary resources for post-war recovery.
Monitoring the involvement of civil society in the development and implementation of post-war recovery and development for both Ukraine and selected communities.
Analyzing initiatives of the diaspora and temporarily protected persons (TPP) in the EU, and establishing collaboration with diaspora organizations and TPP.
For over a year, the Russian army has been daily destroying infrastructure across Ukraine. Ukrainians are losing their property, and community infrastructure is being devastated. Therefore, the reconstruction and restoration of Ukraine must be considered now. The project is focused on involving citizens in monitoring the use of social and financial resources for the inclusive recovery of Ukraine.
The target communities selected for the project are Shatsk community in Volyn region, Berezhany community in Ternopil region, and Bakhmach community in Chernihiv region.
Project findings
In the target communities, information was gathered from residents, priorities were identified, and recovery concepts were developed.
An analysis of budget expenditures for aid in the target communities within the context of recovery was conducted
Recommendations have been developed regarding the recovery budget, including best practices.
Recommendations have been developed to improve budget procedures and the efficiency of public utility companies in restoring local infrastructure.
The process of engaging civil society in the development and implementation of the recovery plan at both national and local levels has been analyzed.
Interested parties were engaged in open discussions on recovery assistance issues.
According to various data, the number of Ukrainians in the whole world ranges from 11 to more than 30 million people. The Ukrainian diaspora has shown its effectiveness in supporting the Ukrainian struggle for democratic values and freedom after the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. It was the diaspora that became the backbone of volunteer activities abroad, took an active part in the defense and advocacy of sanctions, weapons, and the necessary assistance for the country’s economy. The diaspora also actively promoted Ukraine’s membership in the EU and initiated numerous support measures. Thanks to the efforts of the diaspora, Ukraine received an additional mechanism of influence on national governments and the necessary material and non-material assistance. Meanwhile, many citizens who fled the war unwittingly became part of the newly created diaspora, greatly increasing the size of the diaspora. Ukraine as a country is interested in uniting the diaspora in different countries and building effective communication to promote national interests.
As a result, there is no comprehensive data on the number and structure of the diaspora, and the diaspora acts out of sync both among themselves and in relations with the country of origin. The need to improve the situation is due to the constantly growing number of members of the diaspora. According to the UNHCR, more than 79,200 people crossed the borders of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the number doubled in the following days to about 179,500 on February 25, 322,800 on February 26, and 490,400 on February 27. The lack of a comprehensive communication and mobilization strategy can impair the potential of the diaspora and cause disconnection from events in the country of origin.
From March to September 2023, the ANTS Network project, in cooperation with the Institute Respublica, conducted a large-scale study of the Ukrainian diaspora in Europe, particularly in Italy, Germany, and France.
The purpose of the study was to:
- Conduct a thorough study of the Ukrainian diaspora centers and explore effective ways to improve the diaspora’s interaction with Ukrainian institutions, official agencies, and Ukrainian emigrants in the host countries.
- Analyze the changes within the diaspora after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the massive emigration of Ukrainians abroad.
Based on the study, recommendations were developed for Ukrainian authorities on methods of effective interaction with the Ukrainian diaspora in the aforementioned European countries.