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The Novovorontsovka Community hosted a meeting of the Working Group on Public Safety and Recovery, during which participants identified the community’s current needs and development priorities amid a complex security situation.
The event brought together representatives of local government, the police, medical and educational institutions, and civil society organizations who are working together to improve the safety and quality of life for residents.
Public Safety and Protection
One of the key topics of discussion was the current security situation and response measures.
Key aspects included:
- Strengthening law enforcement efforts: increasing the number of patrols, guarding critical infrastructure, and enforcing curfew compliance.
- Combating crime: fighting looting, illegal arms trafficking, and drug trafficking.
- Evacuation measures: relocating civilians from high-risk areas.
- Documenting war crimes: recording destruction and collecting evidence of damage to civilian infrastructure.
- The growing threat of drone attacks requires adapting security measures.
Special attention was given to issues of protecting critical infrastructure and the civilian population, specifically:
- the construction and repair of protective structures;
- installation of mobile shelters;
- protection of windows in medical and administrative buildings.
Preparing the population also remains a key element, including training on drone and fire safety, as well as first aid.
Social Cohesion and Recovery
The second discussion block focused on community development and support for the population:
- the development of veteran policy and the creation of a veteran space;
- work with youth, children, and internally displaced persons;
- strengthening social cohesion as the foundation of community resilience.
Participants also discussed changes in the Working Group’s activities:
- expanding its functions and thematic focus;
- updating the membership to facilitate more effective cross-sectoral collaboration.
Risk analysis as a planning tool
Special attention was given to the possibility of conducting a comprehensive risk analysis within the community.
The community was presented with practical experience in conducting a comprehensive risk analysis, which the Union Foundation has already implemented in the Chornobaivka and Kherson communities. This approach is being implemented within the framework of the Impulse Project, implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation (EEF), with funding from Norway (Norad) and Sweden (Sida).
Such an analysis allows for:
- enhancing 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;
- identifying and structuring risks;
- expert assessment and preparation of practical recommendations.
For the Novovorontsovka community, this approach can serve as an effective strategic planning tool, though it requires active involvement from both local authorities and residents.
Effective responses to challenges and community recovery are only possible through close cooperation among authorities, services, the civil society sector, and residents themselves. Such collaboration forms the foundation for the safe and sustainable development of the Novovorontsovka community.
