Social cohesion brief Social cohesion brief The United Nations Development with a number of partnering UN agencies Programme has been active and present in (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA). The brief is based eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior mostly on practices and experiences of UNDP to the conflict, with a focus on community Ukraine’s work via UN RPP. development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on Social cohesion refers to the state of a addressing the specific conflict-related society’s convergence, or the “common development challenges built on this earlier bonds” that unify different people and engagement, established partnerships, groups that share space or territory . started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme It reflects the quality of relationships (UN RPP). UN RPP is a multi-donor funded between individuals and groups in a society framework programme formulated and (horizontal aspect) and also between people led by the UNDP in collaboration with the and the institutions that serve them (vertical Government of Ukraine and in cooperation aspect). Key approaches to measuring social cohesion Troitske Pryvillia Social cohesion can be Lozno- Oleksandrivka measured: evidence-based Bilolutsk Nyzhnia Duvanka analysis Bilokurakyne Novopskov Markivka Svatove LUHANSK OBLAST Milove Starobilsk Krasnorichenske Chmyrivka Bilovodsk Shulhynka Kreminna Rubizhne The Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Sievierodonetsk Novoaidar Sloviansk Siversk Krasna Talivka Shyrokyi Zvanivka Lysychansk Nyzhnioteple Index (SCORE) for eastern Ukraine is an Hirske Kramatorsk Shchastia Soledar Zolote Stanytsia Katerynivka Slovianoserbsk Druzhkivka Sentianivka Luhanska analytical tool designed to improve the Pervomaisk PopasnaKlynove Krynychanske LUHANSK Mykolaivka DONETSK OBLAST Bakhmut Kadiivka Alchevsk Svitlodarsk Brianka Novosvitlivka understanding of societal dynamics in Kostiantynivka Lutuhyne Sukhodilsk Novhorodske Debaltseve Pokrovsk Krasnodon Chornukhyne Petrovo- Ocheretyne Vuhlehirsk KrasnosLUHANSKillia OBLAST Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well Verkhnyotoretske Izvaryne Novohrodivka (NGCA) Avdiivka Antratsyt Pervomaiske Khrustalnyi Rovenky Dovzhansk Petro Mykhailivka Miusynsk Novodarivka as selected areas along the Sea of Azov Mykhailivka Voznesenivka Krasnohorivka Makiivka Shakhtarsk Torez Liubymivka Biriukove Pavli DONETSK Naholno- vka Tarasivka Shyroke Dmytrivka Diakove Mariinka Ilovaisk coastline in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. This Velyka Novosilka Mospyne ZAPORIZHZHIA Vuhledar DONETSK OBLAST Dolynske Amvrosiivka Komyshuvakha Vozdvyzhivka (NGCA) Tavriiske Olhynka helps to identify strategic entry points for Kalmiuske Bilenke Preobrazhenka Huliaipole Volnovakha Orikhiv policies and programs that contribute to Mala Tokmachka Khlibodarivka Vodiane Voskresenka Kamianka Dniprovska Pidhirne Myrne Telmanove Rozivka strengthening social cohesion . ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST Ostrykivka Pavlopil Chernihiv ka Bilmak Nikolske Hnutove Velyka Bilozerka Tokmak Sartana Plodorodne Novoazovsk Berestove Chkalove Manhush Novouspenivka Novobohdanivka Mariupol Osypenko SCORE for eastern Ukraine has built a library Vesele Melitopol Berdiansk Prymorsk of more than 200 indicators since its first wave Pryazovske Botieve Hirsivka Yakymivka in 2017 that can be used to measure different SEA OF AZOV aspects in societies seeking to transform Kyrylivka conflict. Data is available at regional, sub- regional and city levels, and disaggregated by various demographics. The SCORE 2019 findings cover government The SCORE also gives an option for predictive and non-government-controlled areas of analysis and shows how support for one Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, including statement may influence support for another responses from residents along the contact within a selected group of respondents. Such line, ex-combatants, and a city booster from analysis helps identify strategic entry points selected cities of Donetsk and Luhansk for advocating or implementing positive and oblasts. desirable changes in society. How can SCORE be used? High social tolerance • Profile target groups based on context- Tolerant passive group Tolerant active group appropriate criteria (i.e., displacement Have less negative stereotypes and Are most economically and status, gender or political preferences, feel less threatened; report a lower politically secure; have more contact group characteristics, inter-relationships) tendency to migrate and lower trust and are more ready for dialogue with and analyse them to understand their in the local authorities; are less different groups; are more satisfied anxious with their locality experiences, perspectives and concerns. For example, the initial programming Low civic engagement High civic engagement focus has been on IDPs, however, evidence suggested that IDPs have been gradually Intolerant passive group Intolerant active group integrating into host communities. At the same time, ex-combatants emerged as a Are less satisfied with their locality; Justify violence more often; have distinct group facing similar tensions to are less ecomomically and politically stronger negative stereotypes and secure; have less contact and are feel more threatened; are more those IDPs used to experience. less ready for dialogue with different anxious groups • Identify entry points and key actors for greater efficacy of programs: SCORE Low social tolerance helped identify change-makers in the society, constructive types of civic activity, and entry points that can address either passive civic behaviour or radicalisation. A cluster analysis was used to identify key groups based on their views of different scenarios for conflict resolution in government and non-government- controlled areas. Such an approach provides a better understanding of the motives behind different conflict resolution visions and helps identify entry points for a dialogue towards a common future. • Adjust and refine programming rationale. SCORE demonstrated that disempowerment is the main explanation for the outmigration of young people from the Donetsk and Luhansk GCAs. Their perception of not being given opportunities for making a difference, is identified as a powerful negative driver. A belief that they could change nothing was driving them away more than any other considerations, including fragile security or the lack of jobs. Based on this insight, programmes aimed at civic empowerment through better institutionalised participation in decision making, support for socially minded business, and innovation will put local young people at the centre of change, help them become change-makers. A meeting of a Community Security and Social Cohesion Working Group in Sloviansk Social cohesion is based on the voluntary collaborative approaches. The “Peace decision of an individual to participate in Ambassadors” is a network of teachers that Community community life. UNDP Ukraine provides a receive UNDP training and get other support mobilisation: a framework that helps community members for innovative school projects. “give and take” “get a taste” of cooperative practices, practice of social develop a shared vision and strategy, and University students become multipliers cohesion impact politics. and active agents of change among young people. UNDP has helped universities and Youth programs at schools and universities students that live and study in difficult foster self-government, while school conditions in conflict-affected areas in parliaments and other forms of participation eastern Ukraine, some of them IDPs from that provide young students with the the conflict area, to develop community experience of being in charge nurture projects, form environmental movements, civic responsibility and accustom them to engage in various forms of activism, and democratic practices. “move and shake” others at the university and in the community. UNDP Ukraine supports teachers, helping them to be better prepared to teach in a UNDP Ukraine works with communities reformed school environment, manage at the local level. To include different conflicts constructively, and develop voices from the community, and to secure representation regardless of a person’s Even though CSWGs function sustainably group affiliation, vulnerability, age, income, through various regulations or decrees gender, occupation, etc. UNDP encouraged adopted by local councils, they are a and supported the creation of Community rather flexible tool. Practically, CSWGs Security and Social Cohesion Working attract resources and enhance cooperation Groups (CSWGs). The CSWG, as an open between different stakeholders. The dialogue platform and community level UNDP community mobilisation approach advisory body, contributes to strengthening encourages intercommunity cooperation. both vertical and horizontal ties in the social Thus, the CSWG network that has been cohesion matrix. created helps to consolidate work at the regional level, exchange best practices, and UNDP Ukraine supports CSWGs in 48 enhance coordination. communities across in four oblasts. Regular meetings of CSWGs are attended by local As a democracy tool CSWGs help to build authority officials, initiative and advocacy community dialogue, blurring the line group representatives, civic activists, between "we" and "they" in a community, representatives of vulnerable groups, and increasing trust. In such a way, the local businesses representatives, and working groups are transforming the security services providers. Any community relationships