"Recovery is an Investment in the Future": How People Become the Main Resource for Rebuilding Communities

Rebuilding communities after war is more than just numbers in a budget. The driving force behind change lies in people with the knowledge and skills to turn ambitious plans into reality. Education, training and collaboration between all stakeholders — governments, businesses and residents — are key components of success. These efforts help to prioritise needs, use resources wisely and create sustainable long-term solutions for community development. 

Svidomi, together with the Right to Protection Charitable Fund, explores how people become a critical resource for recovery and what it takes to implement change successfully.

Sustainable funding is essential for post-war reconstruction in Ukraine, according to the government. At reconstruction conferences and in the country's recovery plan, Ukraine emphasises investment and increased grant aid for reconstruction. Preliminary estimates suggest that between $150bn and $250bn will be needed to rebuild and modernise housing infrastructure alone.  

The existence of a recovery plan indicates that the government recognises the need to develop individual recovery projects and the importance of investing not only in infrastructure but also in people, education and social resources.  

But this is a large-scale plan for the whole country. Not all communities can afford to start rebuilding now or even to do damage control. But those not directly at risk near the front lines have already begun the process. In the Kyiv region, bridges destroyed during the initial Russian invasion from the north in 2022 have already been rebuilt.  

The community of Novhorod-Siverskyi in the Chernihiv region, liberated from Russian occupation at the end of March 2022, is a case in point. At the end of 2024, parts of its territory are still classified as active combat zones, but the community is eager to restore its infrastructure and activities. Security remains a top priority for both the Chernihiv region and the community itself.  

Because of the damage to infrastructure, communities often perceive funding as their primary need and greatest challenge. However, without addressing local needs, understanding the context and preparing specialists, a significant amount of resources could be wasted. For example, rebuilding infrastructure or constructing new buildings is only part of the work. If the purpose and added value of these structures for the community are not considered, they may end up as mere symbols of missed opportunities. 

For example, a community may receive funding to rebuild a school. On the face of it, this is a significant step forward. However, without considering the needs of teachers, students, and their families or creating a programme to modernise the educational process, the renovated school will remain just a building. Successful reconstruction requires investment not just in walls but in the knowledge that will move the community forward. This is the foundation of the Better Than Before approach to reconstruction.  

Knowledge is transformed into well-developed reconstruction projects. Elvira Radkovska, project manager at the Right to Protection Charitable Fund, believes that such projects should involve both the administration and community members, as well as external experts.  

Another critical issue is the efficient use of resources. If communities lack sufficient expertise, they run the risk of spending money on initiatives that will not have a long-term impact. Bringing in professionals with experience in project management and financial planning is therefore essential.  

It's important to note that budgets are not limited to funding from the government or international donors. Community recovery also relies heavily on the activities of local residents, local businesses and volunteers. Grassroots initiatives often act as catalysts for change, demonstrating how even minimal resources, multiplied by enthusiasm and knowledge, can produce significant results.  

The size of the budget is, therefore, only one element of successful regeneration. Communities that invest in the development of their residents develop strategies based on local needs, and understand the importance of effective management are far more likely to achieve sustainable development. Recovery is not just a process of rebuilding; it is an investment in the future, where educated people become the most important resource.  

Rebuilding communities after war is a complex and multifaceted process that goes beyond the size of the budget allocated. While funding is an integral part of any reconstruction project, its effectiveness depends on many other factors, with human resources and knowledge playing a central role. Even the largest budget cannot guarantee success without careful planning and the presence of qualified professionals capable of turning plans into reality.  

To ensure that the restoration process is smooth and systematic and does not place additional burdens on the community, it is essential that all aspects of the restoration process — from planning to implementation — are studied on an ongoing basis. Educating community members and implementing new technologies in sectors that need to be restored are also crucial.  

In 2023, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told the "Ukraine Recovery" conference that the "Better Than Before" approach to reconstruction was a priority for Ukraine. The government plans to introduce new standards for building infrastructure, requirements for schools and hospitals, and mandatory bomb shelters.  

"Safety, accessibility, energy efficiency and green technologies must become mandatory parameters for the new infrastructure during the reconstruction," the Prime Minister emphasised.  

This means that communities already planning their recovery must consider new standards of infrastructure, space and technical support for their residents. Rebuilding a house to the standards of the 1980s is no longer an option. Modern legislation, residents' needs and new technologies all need to be taken into account. Education, therefore, plays a key role in the reconstruction process.  

According to Tetiana Yerokhina, a civil protection consultant at the Right to Protection Charitable Fund, the Novhorod-Siverskyi community faces many challenges. Its administration is dealing with urgent problems, and not all specialists have the experience or knowledge needed for recovery processes.  

"Knowledge of legislation, analytical skills, forecasting ability, stress resilience, and communication skills are universal requirements for local government professionals. At the same time, effective reconstruction requires specific expertise in demography, ecology, architecture, economics and social issues. Support from international non-governmental organisations and countries providing technical and expert assistance is essential," says Yerokhina, stressing the importance of educating communities and involving specialists in the recovery process. 

Education is key to mobilising community resources. Local government representatives need to adopt modern approaches to project management, strategic planning and investment attraction. This will enable more effective use of budget resources and the creation of long-term solutions for the community. 

For example, in 2023, the Chernihiv region was unable to spend most of its allocated reconstruction funds due to poor-quality project documentation from local community contractors.  

Elvira Radkovska, Project Manager at the Right to Protection Charitable Fund, stresses that the ability to develop project documentation for recovery programmes is a priority for communities.  

Resident education programmes also increase awareness and activity. They empower people to participate in the recovery process, stand up for their rights and propose ideas to improve living conditions. Active residents can influence local government decisions and drive change in their communities.  

One of the most important aspects of reconstruction is cooperation between government, business and the community. Businesses can become key partners in the reconstruction process by offering their resources, technology and expertise. For example, involving local entrepreneurs in rebuilding schools or hospitals not only develops infrastructure but also provides jobs for local residents.  

Svidomi has previously reported on how the administration and businesses in the Novhorod-Siverskyi community are receiving training on reconstruction and applying the knowledge gained to their recovery processes.  

Education not only addresses immediate problems but also lays the foundation for future development. Every training session, education programme or consultancy is an investment in creating a community that can not only survive a crisis but thrive in its aftermath.  

Funding, education, new technologies, and concepts are essential for recovery. However, reconstruction is impossible without people actively participating in the process—from planning to project completion. Specialists in various fields, designers, and administrators, together with residents, identify the community's needs and create programs to address them. Qualified professionals are indispensable for successful recovery.  

Elvira Radkovska, project manager at the Right to Protection Charitable Fund, notes that communities in Ukraine face a shortage of skilled workers in various fields. This makes it crucial to attract workers from other regions and invest in training and upgrading local staff to ensure sustainable community development.  

"In the Novhorod-Siverskyi community, an incentive programme has been developed for employees of community health care facilities. It includes funding to improve working conditions for medical staff and to attract new professionals. The community is also implementing initiatives to support other professionals, such as measures for economic growth and the creation of new jobs. The Youth Council involves young people in projects that promote community development and improve the skills of young professionals," says Radkovska, highlighting how the community is already addressing the needs of people in the recovery process.  

Training local authorities to improve their capacity is therefore crucial. Well-trained local authorities can communicate effectively with residents, listen to their ideas and needs, and work with international partners and organisations.  

However, reconstruction is not the sole responsibility of the government. Community involvement at every stage — from planning to implementation — promotes shared responsibility and a sense of ownership of the results. The potential of any community lies in its people — those who live, learn, work and run businesses in the area.  

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the local economy, and their recovery has a direct impact on the community's standard of living. However, like local governments, businesses also need knowledge and resources, especially in regions severely affected by war. Learning how to manage risk and adapt to post-war life will make businesses more resilient and integrate them into the new local economy.  

Reconstruction is not just about rebuilding houses or a destroyed school. It is a process that requires the active participation of all segments of the community: residents, administrators, small businesses, social workers and others. People are the key to successful reconstruction. It is, therefore, essential to invest in education in order to design recovery programmes and secure the necessary funding to implement them.

The initiatives are carried out by the Right to Protection CF within the framework of the pilot project “Build Back Better: Prevention, Preparation, and Protection of the Population through the Restoration of Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Water Supply, Hygiene, and Sanitation Infrastructure,” which is being implemented in collaboration with the 3R Risk Reduction Consortium and supported by the NGO ACTED.