Kharkiv remains one of the main hubs for internally displaced persons, despite constant shelling and proximity to the front line. Working in such regions requires not only methodological training, but also specific logistical capacity and stress resistance of the team.
The Yasno Research & Consulting Group specialists were tasked with assessing the effectiveness of the assistance provided by HEKS EPER (repair work, equipment, furniture) and determining the real level of comfort and dignity of living conditions for different categories of beneficiaries.
The key challenges of the study were working in a high-risk area, the need for an objective assessment of the technical condition of buildings (from inclusiveness to energy efficiency), and assessing the needs of people who lost their homes due to the war.
The Yasno Research team has a permanent resource and local presence in Kharkiv, which allows us to conduct full-fledged field research even in difficult security conditions. We applied a comprehensive approach that combined visual audit and sociological expertise.
The first stage involved 5 site visits, focusing on:
- Analysis of the condition of private rooms and common areas, quality of renovation work carried out over the past 2 years.
- Assessment of the building’s compliance with the needs of low-mobility groups, women and children.
- Collection of visual evidence of equipment use and repair results.
The second stage involved in-depth interviews with center managers and beneficiars, which helped to find answers to the main audit questions.
- How did the building become a shelter, who are its residents and how long have they been there?
- Whether safe spaces for women and play areas for children have been created.
- To what extent do furniture and equipment meet “urgent” needs, not just formal lists?
The study provided data that could not be collected remotely:
- A correlation was established between the quality of the arrangement of common areas and the duration of people’s stay in the shelter. Direct feedback was received from beneficiaries regarding the “sense of dignity” of living conditions.
- Specific technical barriers for people with disabilities were identified that require further development, despite the renovations.
- A list of unmet needs (long-term housing) was formed, which will help HEKS EPER plan budgets more effectively for subsequent periods.
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