Community Safety, Recovery, and Development Discussed in Velyka Oleksandrivka

 

A working group meeting dedicated to community safety, recovery, and social cohesion was held in the Velyka Oleksandrivka community. The event brought together representatives of local government, law enforcement agencies, medical and educational institutions, and activists from civil society organizations working together to improve residents’ lives.

Security Amid New Challenges

One of the central topics of discussion was the security situation, which, according to participants, has deteriorated recently. Particular attention was paid to the growing number of FPV drones, which pose a significant threat, especially to settlements near the contact line.

Among the key initiatives and needs raised during the meeting:

• Community police officers emphasized the importance of expanding the use of radar analyzers to track the direction and speed of FPV drones. This will allow for the prompt notification of the public and enhance the safety of patrol officers on the ground.
• It was proposed to create a messenger group to promptly inform the public about dangers.
• There is an urgent need for armored vehicles to evacuate people from dangerous areas, especially from settlements located in the combat zone.
• The issue of the availability of repair kits for the rapid restoration of damaged roofs and windows after shelling remains relevant.
• Despite the funds allocated for the installation of the warning system, its coverage reaches only a portion of the population, requiring additional investment.

Social Cohesion and Development

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the social aspects of community life and its development:

• The high level of initiative among young people was noted; they actively participate in workshops and offer their own ideas regarding the arrangement of spaces and education.
• More than 2,200 internally displaced persons live in the community. Issues regarding their adaptation, job searches, and improvements in living conditions were discussed.
• A veterans’ space has already been established in the community, which could be enhanced through additional improvements. There is also a need to train specialists in veteran support and to develop a community-level veteran support program.
• The Inclusive Resource Center, which serves not only children in the community but also those in neighboring settlements, requires renovation of its premises and repair of the roof.
• The Velyka Oleksandrivka community has a mobile Administrative Service Center that provides services to people with limited mobility and IDPs by traveling to the village councils. There is a need to set up an additional waiting area and a children’s corner in the new building.
• It was proposed to install drinking fountains at children’s sports fields to improve the environmental situation and ensure access to water.
• The need was expressed for high-quality training for children and youth to teach them how to cope with crisis situations and stress caused by air raid alerts.

Risk analysis as a tool for planning and engaging donors

Particular attention was paid to the possibility of conducting a comprehensive risk analysis in the community. The experience of the Union Foundation in the Chornobaivka and Kherson communities, as part of the Impulse Project, implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation with funding from Norway (Norad) and Sweden (Sida), was presented.

Such an analysis allows for:

• Strengthening community safety: through the development of joint solutions and local initiatives.
• Attracting international funding: thanks to the availability of substantiated data and analytics.

The methodology includes:

• In-depth research among residents.
• Consultations with various target groups.
• Identification and categorization of risks (pre-war, wartime, post-war).

 Expert assessment and preparation of practical recommendations, particularly regarding communication.

For the Velyka Oleksandrivka community, this approach can serve as an effective strategic planning tool, enabling the identification of the population’s actual needs and the development of concrete projects to address them.

Meeting participants emphasized that an effective response to challenges and community recovery is possible only through close cooperation among the government, service providers, the civil society sector, and residents themselves. Such collaboration forms the foundation for the safe and sustainable development of the Velyka Oleksandrivka community.