With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the beginning of the year and all the restrictions imposed ever since, UNHCR had to seek alternative means for implementation of community mobilization activities, including community support initiatives (CSI). Community training and meetings had to be reformulated into an online format to the extent possible. It is noteworthy that alternative means of outreach to communities along the contact line were barely available in view of unreliable mobile and internet connections, as well as poor technological awareness among the residents.
UNHCR and partners supported 154 community groups in zone 1, on both sides of the line of contact (0-20 km). The initiatives were meant to strengthen vocational skills, facilitate community leadership and foster community preparedness to respond to emergencies. Most of the CSIs along the contact line were conducted in the community centres earlier supported by UNHCR and other donors. In NGCA, UNHCR’s focus was on social cohesion among the groups of people with specific needs. One such active community in the city of Luhansk was supported with IT equipment. This enabled the initiative group of persons with disabilities to conduct a series of dialogue sessions and workshops among various age groups to strengthen community support towards persons with disabilities and to foster inclusive attitudes.
A special project of community mobilization was conducted in 21 regions, aiming to empower IDP groups and strengthen their capacity to design and implement grassroots advocacy strategies and participate in decision-making processes in host communities. In zone 3, UNHCR supported 122 communities, a 12% increase from 2019, following the expansion of the project to two additional regions (Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia). Among the 122 IDP communities, seven represented ethnic minorities (Crimean Tatars and Roma), 18 focused their activities on persons with a disability, and 25 worked with children, while nine communities focused on youth, and eight conducted activities in support to the elderly. Among a subset of 108 communities for which data is available, 61% of 771 active community members were women. Women represent on average 58% of the IDP population in Ukraine, a percentage also reflected in their participation in community affairs. About 9% of the community members included in the programme were persons with a disability, in line with the estimated percentage among the population targeted under the 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan.
Through this project, communities benefited from multiple capacity building activities to enhance institutional capacity and build organizational sustainability (webinars, individual training courses, mentorship, experience exchange). Overall networking was enhanced through exchange visits and online experience-sharing webinars. A coalition of 18 communities continued advocacy on housing issues, assisting local authorities in the process of receiving subventions from the central budget for temporary housing for IDPs, and including IDPs into local housing programmes. At least 18 community members participated as candidates in local elections and four were elected to city councils. At least four community leaders are advising local councils on IDP related issues. In two regions (Kherson and Kropyvnytskiy) regular dialogue platforms are conducted between local authorities and IDPs. 41 communities supported through this project took the initiative to participate in COVID-19 response, engaging with local authorities (coordination teams; needs assessments and distribution of food parcels) and providing support to vulnerable groups (remote psychological counselling, sewing and distribution of face masks) and raising funds to support hospitals in remote locations.