Supporting Ukraine during the war – FBA's role

Sweden has been a large donor to Ukraine for several years, both in terms of reform-oriented development cooperation and humanitarian aid. FBA has had a long-standing presence in the country and has established itself as an important partner at local, regional, and national levels.

In response to the acute crisis following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and contributing to the bilateral strategic objectives of Sweden’s reconstruction and reform cooperation with Ukraine, FBA has both expanded and adapted its work in the country.

Ukrainian Partnerships and Local Presence

To effectively adapt our support to the rapidly changing situation in Ukraine, FBA works in close collaboration with a wide range of government actors and civil society organizations within the country. We continuously monitor developments on the ground, which is facilitated by having a staff member stationed at the embassy in Kyiv. Nine experts are also seconded by FBA to international missions and organizations such as the EU's international crisis management mission (EUAM), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN RCO).

FBA supports Ukraine’s ownership of its reconstruction and reform efforts, by being responsive to Ukrainian priorities and designing activities in close dialogue with national and local actors.

International and Swedish Cooperation

FBA cooperates with several international actors and EU institutions that are central to the Swedish strategy to support Ukraine’s EU accession. FBA also maintains close dialogue with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Swedish authorities, and other actors active in Ukraine.

What FBA does

FBA works in the following key areas:

1. Democratic governance and reform
2. Veterans sustainable and gender-equal reintegration, and security and social cohesion.

There is a strong correlation between reforms in democratic governance – which foster trust between the state, decision-makers, and individuals – and strengthened resilience in Ukrainian society, as well as its reconstruction. Similarly, effectively addressing the acute security-related consequences of the full-scale invasion is a prerequisite for long-term reform efforts.

Gender equality is a Swedish priority. The Swedish national action plan for women, peace, and security emphasizes giving special priority to work with women, peace, and security in Ukraine. To ensure that the specific needs of women, men, girls, and boys related to security and reconstruction are addressed, FBA integrates a gender equality perspective into all its activities in Ukraine. FBA also carries out specific activities on gender equality to promote women’s equal participation in reform and reconstruction efforts, gender-responsive leadership (GRL), and to increase knowledge of how the war affects gender equality in the country.

Democratic governance and reform

FBA works on strengthening democratic governance with a focus on defence reform, support for Ukraine’s EU accession, and countering hybrid threats. Given the role of the defence sector in Ukraine, the future security architecture is vital for democratic governance and reform in the public sector. Reforms related to transparency, governance, and anti-corruption will be central, especially during the transition when emergency laws are lifted. FBA contributes by raising awareness of the reform needs within the defence sector, beyond the military operational level, and of how Ukraine’s international partners, with a focus on the EU, can support this.

FBA also contributes to democratic governance and reform by supporting The European Union Advisory Mission EUAM Ukraine in gender-responsive leadership. FBA also partners with the Swedish National Defence College and the Ukraine National Defence University (NDUU) to strengthen Ukrainian leaders in both the military and civilian security sectors, with a focus on leadership in crises.

Veterans sustainable and gender-equal reintegration, and security and social cohesion

Ukraine’s veterans are currently estimated to more than a million, a figure that is expected to increase many times over once the war ends. Over three and a half million people have been displaced internally, and nearly 7 million are refugees outside Ukraine due to the war. The country’s ability to take care of the large number of people who have participated in combat or been forced to flee is crucial for long-term stability and reconstruction.

FBA has an extensive experience in reintegration processes around the world and policy development in this area. FBA works for both the social, economic, and political reintegration of veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees within Ukraine, with a clear gender equality perspective and a focus on inclusive processes.

The Needs of Veterans, Internally Displaced Persons, and Returnees

A central part of the work focuses specifically on veterans’ reintegration. FBA works with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to increase the conditions for sustainable economic reintegration, a crucial issue for Ukraine’s reconstruction and for veterans’ return to civilian life. FBA also collaborates with the Association of Administrative Services Provision Centers (AASPC) to develop and implement training on how to engage with veterans for staff at municipal service offices (SNAPS/ ASPC). These offices serve as important contact points between citizens and the state/municipalities for administrative services at the local level.

Learn more from the perspectives of some Ukrainian veterans and read more about FBA’s work to support veterans’ reintegration.

FBA also supports the Ukrainian police's capacity to meet the security needs of both women and men during the full-scale invasion, and to strengthen social cohesion in particularly war-affected areas. Here FBA works with Ukrainian partners to highlight the importance of social cohesion and inclusion, in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes.

FBA also conducts research in collaboration with Uppsala University to examine how frontline experiences can affect soldiers' and veterans' attitudes toward gender equality, which in turn can contribute to preventive efforts against gender-based violence.

Publications and media

Over the years, a wide range of publications have been produced. These have been used, for example, by Ukrainian municipalities to conduct their own conflict analyses and to identify needs for the reintegration of veterans in their local communities.

Factsheet: Veteran Reintegration in Ukraine 

Films from 2023   

One year after Russia's invasion, FBA produced several videos with our own experts as well as our Ukrainian partners to highlight the importance of civilian support in strengthening Ukraine's resilience and ability to cope with the consequences of the war.

Civilian Support for Ukraine

Despite the ongoing war and an unpredictable future, civilian support is crucial for laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable peace in Ukraine. But what does civilian support entail, and what are the long-term challenges facing the country.

Rule of Law and Democratic Resilience in Ukraine at War

For almost a decade, extensive decentralization efforts have taken place in Ukraine. Since 2015, FBA has worked together with 15 Ukrainian municipalities to improve citizens' access to public services and enhance their knowledge of their rights.

Local communities' support to internally displaced persons

The war has forced millions of Ukrainians t within their country. Providing basic community services – such as restoring lost passports or other personal documents – can pose a challenge for host communities. FBA and its partners support local Ukrainian authorities in continuing to deliver essential services and increasing the knowledge of internally displaced persons about their rights.

Reintegration of Veterans

Tens of thousands have been injured and killed in Russia's war against Ukraine. Over three million individuals, including veterans and their families, are estimated to need support from the Ukrainian Veterans Department once the war is over. How can Ukraine tackle the complex task of assisting veterans in transitioning from military to civilian life?

Reconstruction and Long-Term Peace

How can actors like FBA navigate a new security landscape with a significant focus on military armament, as well as in a context where there are vast and urgent humanitarian needs?