Project Insights

As the project transitions into a more analytical phase, the following preliminary findings emerge: 

• Human Service Organisations (HSOs) have had to reorient their operations in response to Russia's illegal full-scale invasion in 2022. While some organisations have managed to maintain their physical locations, others have been compelled to evacuate and relocate their operations. This adaptation to the evolving demands necessitated a bridging of their expanded activities with their core missions, resulting in challenges related to organisational capacity and increased complexity in their operations. These challenges encompassed the continued provision of welfare services, the sourcing and safe delivery of humanitarian aid, and the support of individuals wishing to flee or those who were internally displaced. Moreover, there arose an urgent need to enhance managerial and organisational capacities. Initially, this presented significant obstacles due to the scarcity of available support; however, these experiences in organisational development have cultivated greater dynamism and enhanced learning capacities among HSOs. Respondents indicated that their organisations are now better positioned to address the recent uptick in demands related to mental health and trauma care from the populations they serve.

• There is a notable shift in the demands placed on HSOs, moving away from primarily humanitarian support toward a greater focus on mental health and psychosocial support services. Even organisations that had not previously engaged in such services now recognise the necessity to develop and provide this type of support. The principal challenge in fulfilling these emergent demands lies in enhancing and accessing relevant organisational capacities, such as recruiting psychologists or trauma specialists, as well as overcoming resource constraints to sustain such initiatives. In some instances, resource providers undervalue the work of specialists, often expecting them to perform as volunteers. As one respondent articulated, "I don't like to ask for volunteer [referring to asking relevant professionals for support]; I think people that have experienced war should not be asked to volunteer" (Respondent 10). Nevertheless, this shift in demand on HSOs has fostered increased opportunities for collaboration among organisations with overlapping focuses on mental health and psychosocial support, as well as with local authorities. This indicates a trend toward the formation of 'densified' networks, which could enhance the societal acceptance and legitimacy of HSOs, thereby providing a robust foundation for collaborative reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

• For smaller, locally-based HSOs, mobilising resources remains a significant challenge. Funding opportunities are often time-bound, contributing to a desire for more secure and sustained support. Respondents expressed a persistent lack of resources necessary to maintain organisational operations, while decision-makers articulated a perception that their efforts are undervalued by funding entities. The complexities inherent in the grant application processes, coupled with a lack of relevant organisational capacity and the realities of operating in a war-torn context, contribute to burnout and emotional strain among decision-makers, leaving little room for rest and recovery. Despite these formidable challenges, the commitment of smaller HSOs remains resolute. The recent USAID funding freeze has exacerbated these difficulties, further underscoring the critical need for ongoing support.

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