The Ukraine Recovery Plan presented at the Lugano conference (Switzerland) set out the main principles for reconstruction. Among them is the clear necessity to account for inclusion and democratic citizen participation in decision-making. At the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (IMiP) we firmly believe that ensuring full engagement and participation of citizens in the recovery process is essential to prevent rising tensions, promote stability, and strengthen sustainable peace. Inclusive reconstruction requires a long-term approach focused on building the resilience and sustainability of territorial communities. This approach integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions into recovery strategies, develops human capital, and reduces the root causes of vulnerability while ensuring the implementation of sustainable development practices.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, tools for citizen participation in decision-making were largely part of local democracy and were used mainly to discuss general issues related to coping with the consequences of the war. However, even the most common instruments amounted to symbolic public participation and did not provide adequate means for collaboration with state institutions. As past experience shows, consultations alone will not be sufficient for effective post-war recovery in Ukraine.
Accordingly, it is necessary to apply a conflict-sensitive approach to develop effective tools and solutions. The emergence of new types of local strategies, designed with local interests in mind and synchronized at regional and national levels, is critical. Such synchronization will require additional coordination efforts, new forms of collaboration, and effective trust-building instruments. During martial law, the criteria for citizen participation in decision-making must be balanced and applied in the most effective manner.
In light of the above, IMiP has developed principles of inclusive reconstruction that guide our work:
Principles of Inclusive Reconstruction:
- Building local capacity and preventing paternalism. Territorial communities must have sufficient capacity to ensure sustainable development. Inclusive recovery aims to expand the opportunities of residents and communities, recognizing their autonomy and self-reliance in shaping their own future. This involves providing access to information, resources, and skills that enable participants to make informed decisions, exercise their rights, and actively contribute to local recovery.
- Consideration of local context and community resources. Territorial communities should be able to function primarily on their own resources without creating security risks. By incorporating local resources and cultural elements into recovery programs, integration becomes contextually relevant and aligned with the social and cultural fabric of affected communities. This approach helps foster a sense of ownership, pride, and connection among residents, strengthens social cohesion, and increases community resilience.
Local resources are often accompanied by a wealth of local knowledge, experience, and traditional practices. Engaging territorial communities and holders of traditional knowledge in recovery and integrating these practices with modern approaches can achieve more effective and culturally appropriate integration.
Support for veterans and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is essential for local development and successful recovery. Reintegration policies, including disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration broadly understood, should form the basis for the recovery and economic growth of territorial communities. Inclusive recovery should provide conditions for skills development and employment for veterans and IDPs. This can include vocational training programs, employment services, entrepreneurship support, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the economic self-sufficiency of these groups. Applying principles of inclusive recovery will help them restore personal capacity and the sustainability of their communities by equipping them with relevant skills and employment opportunities.
- Balance between inclusion and stability (crisis management).Finding a balance between inclusion and crisis management is critical to achieving effective and sustainable inclusive recovery.
While crisis management focuses on immediate response and meeting urgent needs given available resources, inclusion ensures that in the recovery process the interests of all segments of society are taken into account and specific needs are met. Thus, balancing what should be done with what can be done is a serious challenge.
The request to participate in developing a joint solution should come from local actors (state institutions, communities, civil society representatives and local businesses). All engagement methods and decisions must be aligned with available resources and national strategies.
To ensure strategic and operational adaptation to conditions of survival and community development during war, as well as their subsequent reconstruction, current and effective solutions require substantive consultations and involvement of the public, experts and stakeholders. Therefore we have prioritized creating a system of practices to ensure public participation in Ukraine’s recovery process. We believe that effective public participation will secure the best recovery for Ukraine and its economic and democratic prospects.
Institute of Peace and Understanding (IMiP) is a leading Ukrainian non-governmental, non-profit organization that helps groups and communities reach understanding in conflict situations and make complex collective decisions. The IMiP team has more than 20 years of experience implementing and promoting restorative practices.
This document was developed by and represents the exclusive position of the organization. The statements in the text are informational and advisory in nature and may be used with reference to this document.