Attachments
SUMMARY
Following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, hromadas located in frontline areas have faced severe humanitarian and economic barriers. Amid the constant threat of shelling, shifting front lines, and periods of occupation, security risks created extremely unfavorable conditions for households to sustain their livelihoods. Alongside insecurity, these areas have experienced displacement, damage to infrastructure and homes, and restrictions on market functioning. Despite these challenges, residents continue to live in high-risk areas, certain businesses remain operational, and local authorities continue playing a key role in maintaining the basic functioning of hromadas.
Although various actors have conducted research on food security and livelihoods, there remains a gap in in-depth qualitative evidence on local economic systems, adaptation strategies, and the factors shaping the resilience of local businesses. To help address this, REACH, with support from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), conducted a study to understand how households and local actors sustain livelihoods amid insecurity, displacement, and demographic shifts linked to outmigration. The assessment aimed to profile economic systems in selected frontline hromadas, identify livelihood strategies and decisionmaking dynamics among vulnerable households, and explore the barriers and enablers shaping the resilience of small and medium-sized producers and businesses.
The study focused on six hromadas located within 30 kilometres of the frontline in Ukraine’s north, east, and south: Kyrykivska (Sumska oblast), Oskilska (Kharkivska), Stepnenska (Zaporizka), Tomakivska (Dnipropetrovska), Borozenska (Khersonska), and Shevchenkivska (Mykolaivska). Data collection relied on purposive sampling to capture perspectives from vulnerable households, local businesses, agricultural producers, and local authorities. In July 2025, the REACH field team conducted 20 key informant interviews with local authorities, 31 with business representatives, and 67 with households. Qualitative data was analysed using MAXQDA software, with themes drawn from the research questions. The findings reflect conditions at the time of data collection and are intended to inform emergency livelihoods programming by providing insights into needs, coping strategies, and existing capacities in frontline communities.
Key Findings
1. Local Authorities
Local authorities reported that the greatest impact of the conflict on local livelihoods has been the sharp decline in population, which has reduced the available labour force. This issue has been further compounded by the mobilisation of men into Ukraine’s defence forces. Labour shortages were reported as particularly severe in the agricultural sector, as well as in public services such as education and healthcare.
Business activity has declined across all hromadas, with Borozenska, Oskilska, and Shevchenkivska reporting the most severe effects due to extensive mine contamination of farmland. Kyrykivska, Tomakivska, and Stepnenska were less affected by contamination but still reported damage to cultivated fields from falling rocket and drone debris.
The combination of insecurity, infrastructure damage, and economic decline has led to reduced revenues for local budgets while simultaneously increasing expenditure demands. These include support for displaced populations, infrastructure repair, and maintaining essential services.
Uncertainty caused by continued hostilities and the threat of further destruction discourages investment and long-term economic planning. Additional factors, such as extreme weather and environmental degradation (e.g. destruction of forests in Oskilska), were also seen as barriers to recovery.
Authorities identified key priorities including infrastructure rehabilitation, utility system autonomy, demining, resumption of offline education, housing support for IDPs, and attracting qualified staff. Many stressed the need for training and re-skilling programmes to address shifting labour market needs.
All six hromadas reported a need for financial support, machinery, utility equipment, and winterisation aid. In Borozenska, officials raised specific protection concerns over residents collecting firewood in mined areas.