Forum 2000, in cooperation with the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), present this new policy brief on one of the most important challenges for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): The way forward for Ukrainian refugees.
One of the remarkable aspects of the past few months has been the scale of the involvement of local communities and civil society in the Ukraine response in CEE. Much of the burden has fallen on community organisations and individuals, who have worked assiduously and stepped in to fill gaps that public institutions could not. It is easy to forget the fact that formal and structured civil society only emerged in the region three decades ago, after the fall of Communism, and until 2022, the civil society and government have often had a fraught relationship. Yet, in the context of the Ukraine response, these actors have learnt to coexist and, in many cases, recognize the value of a synergetic approach.
Hrishabh Sandilya offers insight into the key issues that policymakers, philanthropy and civil society should consider as they continue to support Ukrainian refugees in CEE. The brief is based on the workshop at the 26th Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, co-hosted by the EPIM, and several follow-up conversations on the ground.
In this document you will find:
- The Big Picture | Some initial thoughts to keep in mind.
- Recapitulating the Needs | Some of the most salient needs, ranging from the immediate to the medium- and long-term.
- Looking forward | Where and how to intervene.