Research for help: what IDPs of Khmilnytsia Community Survey revealed

Publication date: October 16, 2024

To help IDPs integrate into community life, in particular, to provide them with more support, awareness of their rights and opportunities to influence local affairs. The importance of such steps was highlighted by a survey conducted and presented in the summer of this year by the Khmilnyk-based NGO Pravo.

A significant number of displaced persons who have taken refuge during the war in the Khmilnyk Community experience isolation and have difficulty integrating into public life. At the same time, few displaced persons are actively involved in decision-making at the community level, and those people are not sufficiently aware of their rights or opportunities to participate in public life.

Such conclusions were reached following a Capacity of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Influence Decision-Making within the Khmilnyk City Territorial Community Survey*, carried out in August this year by the Pravo NGO in Khmilnyk. During the event held on August 26 at the Murashnyk Resource Center**, the organization presented the results of a survey among 80 people displaced to the community since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

The study aimed to investigate the ability of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to influence decision-making processes in the Khmilnyk City Territorial Community, as well as to identify factors affecting their participation in these areas and opportunities for improving the integration of IDPs into public life.

We talked to Vitalii Dorokh, the Head of the Pravo NGO, about the survey itself, its results, and the further practical steps the organization has already begun to take.

• We talked to Vitalii Dorokh, the Head of the Pravo NGO, about the survey itself, its results, and the further practical steps the organization has already begun to take.
• Can you share a little bit about the survey? Did your organization carry it out independently or in cooperation?
• The research was carried out by our organization. We developed a questionnaire, engaged interviewers, analyzed the results, and prepared a report, which we presented. The survey was conducted in order to reach a better understanding of the challenges and needs of IDPs that arise when they try to convey their opinions and positions to local authorities.
• Did you anticipate the results of the survey as the Head of an NGO and a person who constantly communicates with IDPs and does a lot for them?
• For us, the results of the survey were quite obvious. To be honest, public participation in decision-making processes is rather low. This applies to both local residents and IDPs. The survey once again confirmed the issues related to participation in decision-making processes, such as lack of awareness, lack of specific knowledge and skills, and so on, are relevant for both locals and IDPs.
• Was the survey presentation useful for you as researchers? If so, in which way?
• The event was held in the form of a discussion, and we invited representatives of NGOs, local authorities, and IDPs themselves. Together we discussed how the situation could be improved, in particular through new initiatives to facilitate the integration of IDPs and create a more inclusive environment in the community. We heard from the participants about their willingness to cooperate. And the results of this survey will be the foundation for further work and implementation of projects aimed at improving the lives of IDPs in our community.
• What kind of initiatives and projects are we talking about?
• These include information and training events. Many people expressed a lack of awareness of all the processes taking place in the community, as well as a lack of knowledge and skills that would help them use the tools of public participation available in the community.

• In your opinion, what is the value of such a survey?
• The results of this study provide answers to many questions regarding the level of integration, obstacles to integration, and the challenges faced by internally displaced persons when representing their interests in relations with local authorities.
• You presented the results of the study in August. Can we now discuss certain steps towards the implementation of the proposals you mentioned above?
• We have developed a training course aimed at introducing participants to the tools of public participation and providing them with practical skills to use them in action. We have also already conducted training on project writing, information security, and information literacy.

*The full survey can be found HERE or downloaded at the bottom of this article.

** Read more about the activities of the Anthill Hub here:

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