Ukraine: setting the scene for an inclusive recovery
Ukraine is planning for recovery and reconstruction as it continues to fight for its freedom. John Smith Fellow Victor Liakh, president of East Europe Foundation (EEF), shares his perspective on the role civil society can play in rebuilding his country.
Why is it important to plan for recovery and reconstruction now, while the war is still going on?
The full-scale recovery of Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure can only begin after the end of large-scale hostilities and the liberation of our territories from the invaders.
However, plans for the reconstruction of the country are already underway. These processes are happening within the government and civil society, both nationally and locally. I believe this is the right approach. Now is the ideal time to agree on the key principles that should underpin Ukraine’s future reconstruction.
This is not about returning to the pre-war state. It is about a full-scale development and integration into the European community. This must be based on sustainable development principles and comply with the European Green Deal, which is also a guarantee of meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession.
Other considerations include significant involvement of local government bodies and public participation in decision–making. Digital tools will be important to strengthen participation and ensure transparency and inclusivity.
In June, you organised a side event at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin, focusing on “inclusive recovery and reconstruction”. Can you explain what this means?
Inclusiveness means engaging every Ukrainian citizen. Our unity and solidarity are powerful assets for Ukraine. It is essential to preserve and strengthen them.
The dialogue on Ukraine’s post-war recovery and reconstruction should involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Our partner network includes hundreds of civil society organisations and local communities. Through our expertise, we aim to amplify the voices of Ukraine’s entire civil society.
It is crucial not only to achieve victory in war but also to secure a just peace. When every Ukrainian feels their voice is heard and valued, it fosters unity and mobilises resources for post-war reconstruction. Inclusiveness also aligns with the important principles of the European Union. Given Ukraine’s commitment to European integration, we adhere to EU values as guiding principles.
What is the role of civil society organisations in recovery and reconstruction?
According to a nationwide study of the civil society sector in Ukraine, which we organised last year with the support of the EU, 90% of civil society organisations plan to participate in the country’s or their community’s reconstruction. In fact, they are not waiting for the war to end but are already involved in this work.
The civil society sector, especially local NGOs, are well aware of the needs and problems on the ground. They are flexible and quickly engage in addressing challenges. Our network of over 600 NGOs in different regions of Ukraine enable EEF to quickly respond and provide support exactly where it is needed.
Government bodies – both central and local – need to work with the civil society sector for the best results. For example, when rebuilding a hospital, it is not enough to construct the walls, purchase equipment and cover the roof. The project needs to be inclusive and consider safety and accessibility for different population groups. This process needs to be transparent and accountable. Civil society in Ukraine has good experience in these areas.
With Ukrainian society under such enormous pressure, how can civil society organisations build social cohesion and unity?
The resilience, unity and self-organisation of Ukrainian society, and its ability to resist a much larger aggressor has surprised and impressed the world. But when the war is of such high intensity, with daily losses, and the enemy engaging in hybrid warfare – including cybercrimes, propaganda and disinformation – it is difficult to remain united and resilient.
As civil society, we can help find common ground among people with different war experiences, create platforms for interaction, and support those in need. Civil society organisations are engaged in volunteering, education, human rights advocacy, combating disinformation and solving community problems. And they can reach very diverse audiences including internally displaced people, military personnel, veterans and vulnerable groups.
After the Russian shelling of the Kyiv children’s hospital Okhmatdyt on 8 July 2024, Ukrainians united to help each other. Hundreds of people came to help clear the rubble and bring water. Businesses announced funds for the victims and the hospital itself, raising over 140 million UAH in a day. Private hospitals offered free patient care. Unity is ingrained as a value in our society, despite any individual differences, as we have repeatedly shown in such terrible circumstances.
Why is it important to develop human capital alongside planning for physical reconstruction and economic recovery?
There is a deficit of human resources in Ukraine. Over 6 million Ukrainians have gone abroad, about 6 million have become internally displaced, and more than 700,000 Ukrainians are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (data from 2023).
Adding to this is the decline in birth rates, and over time, we expect a reduction in the economically active population. The demographic composition of the population is also changing. We need women to become more economically active – to take on positions and work that were traditionally done by men.
Post-war Ukraine will need women to play an enhanced role in all socio-political and reconstruction processes. That’s why initiatives like the Ukrainian Women’s Leadership Programme, run by John Smith Trust and the University of Edinburgh Business School are essential. Programmes like this can help unlock women’s leadership potential so they can acquire relevant knowledge and plan their return home when the security situation allows.
What specific new skills and knowledge do Ukrainians need?
Ukrainians will need to master many new skills, become more versatile and ready to adapt to in-demand professions. We will need specialists in construction and engineering. We will need entrepreneurs to develop small and medium-sized businesses, revitalising the economy in communities. And we will need metallurgists, energy specialists, and mining professionals to restore the extraction industry.
There is much discussion about the need to attract people back to Ukraine and to facilitate the return of refugees. As time passes and refugees integrate into their host societies, we know returning will not be easy. Another important task, already underway, is reintegrating veterans into civilian life. The civil society sector is playing an important role here.
It is unequivocally necessary for us to learn to ask for help and turn to professionals – psychologists, psychotherapists. We need to train psychologists and social workers who can work with people who have had traumatic experiences. Both now and after the war, mental health needs attention.
What is EEF doing to support digital transformation?
We are helping the Government to implement digital transformation at all levels, nationally and locally. This includes almost all processes, from preparing legislative changes, to creating new digital registries, services, and platforms built on them, and training public servants and civil society representatives to work with them.
For instance, EEF took an active part in the creation of the Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property from scratch in a matter of months. This is the basis for the national eRestoration programme, which helps people report incidents to the state online and receive funds for reconstruction or repair.
Another example is the E-DEM e-democracy platform. This allows Ukrainian communities to launch services for electronic petitions, public consultations, and participatory budgets, so people can take part in local decision-making.
The most valuable asset of any country is its people. How educated, active, and motivated they are determines how strong the civil society of the country is and how high its demands on the political elite can be.
What’s the single most important message you want readers to take away?
By helping Ukraine, Western democracies are not engaging in charity; they are investing in their future – a new world order truly built on democratic values. We are holding back the tide of authoritarianism at our borders, giving the West time to make the right decisions and build independent economies and political systems free from the whims of deranged dictators.
Belgian chemist Ilya Prigogine received the Nobel Prize for his discovery in chemistry that certain systems reorganise into greater order when they face changes in their environment. Disorder becomes a critical player, an ally that can provoke the system to self-organise into new, better forms of existence.
My message is exactly this. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as paradoxical as it may sound, is making us stronger and more resilient. And for the Western civilised world, Russia’s aggression is currently becoming a source of reflection about ourselves.