The International Republican Institute together with the Sociological Group ‘Rating’ conducted a focus group study "Life in the de-occupied territories through the eyes of residents: problems of reconstruction and priorities for future development".

   Key findings:

   
• Residents who stayed during the      occupation and those who returned after the de-occupation were motivated      by the same reasons – having      a family, private property, work, and an emotional connection to home.      While both groups reported feeling afraid of danger in the occupied      settlements, the level of fear was lower than that of the uncertainty of      migration.
   
• Residents face a lack of basic      resources and living conditions but demonstrate resilience and a desire to      rebuild their communities.
   
• The economy is recovering      slowly, with a shortage of jobs, and with businesses remaining destroyed.      In the healthcare sector, there is a lack of staff, equipment and      accessible pharmacies.
   
• The proximity to the frontline      and mined areas are serious obstacles to recovery.
   
• Communications, roads, and      housing are priority areas for recovery. The extent of foreign donor      assistance depends on how well known the affected region is.
   
• Education remains remote or      mixed due to the lack of proper shelters, and some schools have closed due      to lack of students and migration.
   
• Older participants are more      interested in participating in the reconstruction process, while younger      people are less interested, in part due to lack of skills and time.
   
• The unwillingness to engage in      the reconstruction process is linked to a lack of trust in local      government and the belief that reconstruction should be carried out by specialised      organisations and people.