The Vysokopillia Community hosted this year’s first meeting of the Working Group on Public Safety and Recovery. Meeting participants, including representatives of local government, the police, the State Emergency Service, medical and educational institutions, and civil society organizations, jointly identified the community’s current needs and development priorities.
Public Safety and Protection
One of the central topics of discussion was the current security situation and response measures. The following key aspects were highlighted:
- Reducing crime: A positive trend was observed in the decrease in residential burglaries and fraud, as well as violations of the curfew and rules for passing through checkpoints.
- Countering drone attacks: The growing threat of enemy drones requires the adaptation of security measures.
- Protective structures: The construction and repair of protective structures, as well as the installation of mobile shelters, remain a priority, especially near playgrounds and administrative buildings.
- Safety in educational institutions: The need to install video surveillance and metal detectors in schools, particularly in light of the resumption of in-person learning.
- Infrastructure: The improvement of public transportation stops.
- Road safety: Road repairs and traffic sign installation.
- Water supply: Addressing water supply issues in certain communities.
- Public education: Conducting training sessions on drone safety, fire safety, and first aid.
Social Cohesion and Recovery
The second discussion block focused on community development and public support:
- Expanding the Working Group’s Functions: plans are in place to broaden the group’s scope of activities to include support for veterans, social inclusion, youth engagement, social and administrative services, healthcare, and strengthening vocational and technical training.
- Veterans policy: developing veterans policy, establishing a veterans’ council, and supporting veterans’ employment, education, and entrepreneurship. Particular attention was paid to preparing the community psychologically for the mass return of veterans.
- Social services: launching a social taxi service and further developing social services.
- Children and Youth: Work with children and families, particularly with socially disadvantaged families, orphans, and foster and adoptive families. Support for youth policy and training of specialists.
- Public Works: Street lighting, particularly energy-efficient and rechargeable systems.
- Sports infrastructure: renovation of sports fields and installation of exercise equipment.
- Support for IDPs: providing information and opportunities for internally displaced persons to return to the community.
Risk analysis as a planning tool
Special attention was given to the possibility of conducting a comprehensive risk analysis in 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:
- 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, risk identification and mapping, expert assessment, and the preparation of practical recommendations. For the Vysokopillia community, this approach can serve as an effective strategic planning tool that requires the active involvement of 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 Vysokopillia community.
