On 19 February, during the press conference “Luhansk: mood, fears and hopes” the director of the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation (DIF) Irina Bekeshkina, presented a new project “Reintegration of Donbass in Ukraine through communication.”

According to Ms. Bekeshkina, Ukraine must not only win back its territory, it must fight for the minds and hearts of the people who need to feel they belong in a Ukrainian state.

Professor of psychology, pedagogy and conflict, Andriy Hirnyk from the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, presented the survey of the attitudes of residents of Luhansk region, conducted by DIF, in the cities of Starobilsk and Siverodonetsk. The expert noted the disappearance of stability and dramatical deterioration of material condition of the people in these regions.

When asked what first needs to be done in order to return to a normal life in these areas, respondents unanimously agreed that it is necessary to stop the war. The remaining requests were related to the opening of new industries, the repair of roads, buildings, timely payment of pensions and salaries. These are urgent steps that people expect from local authorities.

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