Ukrainian diaspora

Engaging the Global Ukrainian Community in Ukraine's Recovery: Democracy and Human Rights Dimensions

Key contacts: Professor Maria Koinova, PAIS/University of WarwickLink opens in a new window, Principal Investigator

Funding: Faculty of Social Sciences (2023), Research England Policy Support Fund (2023-2024), ESRC-IAA (2024-2025)

Partners: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (ODIHR) and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)Link opens in a new window

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Overview

Programme Overview

Warwick-OSCE-ODIHR-ICMPD Multi-stakeholder Training in Warsaw, 26-28 June, 2024

This impact-driven research programme is designed to foster engagement between governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental stakeholders and the Global Ukrainian Community (GUC) in Ukraine’s recovery and long-term reconstruction following Russia’s invasion. With an estimated global diaspora of over 20 million and an additional 6 million Ukrainian refugees currently residing in Europe, the potential for mobilising these communities is immense.

However, a major obstacle persists: stakeholders often lack sufficient knowledge about each other and the diverse perspectives that inform their actions. Even when diaspora members establish contact with policymakers, their full potential to advocate for democracy and human rights in Ukraine’s recovery remains largely under-utilized.

This initiative builds on the expertise of Professor Maria Koinova, developed through her role as Principal Investigator of the European Research Council-funded project “Diasporas and Contested Sovereignty,” as well as through her earlier and subsequent research and publications. It also draws on her extensive conversations with stakeholders across six European countries related to the Global Ukrainian Community since 2022—Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom—and with institutions of the European Union, and international organisations.

Since 2023, the programme has been implemented in collaboration with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). Its core aim is to bridge knowledge gaps and promote inclusive, informed engagement with the Ukrainian diaspora and refugee communities in reconstruction and development efforts. Central to this mission is the deliberate integration of democratic values and procedures, ensuring inclusive GUC participation and safeguarding diversity and human rights in all interactions, initiatives, and policies related to Ukraine’s recovery.

Goals and Objectives

The major goal of this programme is to make policy impact by bringing together and creating a community of practice among: 1) policy makers who design policies on diaspora and refugees involvement - both in Ukraine and in host countries - and more generally policies and institutions that regulate relations between Ukraine and its diaspora and refugees, 2) representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, recent refugees and other members of the Global Ukrainian Community, and 3) representatives of Ukrainian civil society. The project focuses on Ukraine as well as Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, and EU institutions.

At the heart of this programme is the intentional integration of democratic values and processes, ensuring inclusive participation by the GUC and protecting diversity and human rights across all interactions, initiatives, and policies related to Ukraine’s recovery.

Exploring Possibilities with OSCE-ODIHR (2022-2023)

Exploring Possibilities with OSCE-ODIHR

This programme began in summer 2022, when the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE-ODIHR) sought Professor Koinova’s expertise on diasporas and contested sovereignty to support emerging initiatives focused on the Ukrainian diaspora’s role in reconstruction and development. She was first invited to speak at a diaspora-focused event during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on 6 October 2022, and later participated as an expert in a follow-up OSCE-ODIHR workshop on 24 February 2023.

The collaboration continued with a small workshop in July 2023, hosted at OSCE-ODIHR premises in Warsaw and supported by a University of Warwick FSS grant. It brought together representatives of Ukrainian civil society from the UK and Germany for in-depth discussions.

These engagements laid the groundwork for a broader stakeholder training initiative planned for 2024 and informed the OSCE-ODIHR report “Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in Reconstruction and Development. Report from Expert Discussions,” presented online in December 2023 and published in January 2024.

This collaboration inspired also Prof. Koinova's piece "Why the Ukrainian Diaspora Must Be Involved in Ukraine's Recovery?" in LSE's EUROPP Blog, March 2024.

Pre-Ukrainian Recovery Conference 2024

On 19-20 April 2024 the official pre-Ukrainian Recovery Conference “Diaspora and Global Ukrainian Community: Strong Partners for the Recovery of Ukraine,” took place in Berlin, 19-20 April 2024. Professor Koinova was invited to moderate a panel among policy stakeholders on Ukraine’s EU accession and the role of the Global Ukrainian Community in it. As a result of this conference, she also co-authored a policy note in June 2024, together with the conference organisers, Nataliya Pryhornytska (Open Platform and Alliance of Ukrainian Associations in Germany) and Kateryna Pavlova (CRISP), as well as Oleksandra Keudel (Kyiv School of Economics). The 2024 report titled “ "Why and How Involve the Global Ukrainian Community for the Recovery of Ukraine," Berlin: Open Platform e.V. and CRISP e.V. demonstrates best practices and recommendations for engaging the Global Ukrainian Community in four areas: business dimension, human dimension, local and regional dimension, and EU dimension.

Major Training with OSCE-ODIHR and ICMPD (2024)

Training

A major multi-stakeholder training event was held from 26–28 June 2025 at the OSCE-ODIHR premises in Warsaw, Poland, co-organised by the University of Warwick, OSCE-ODIHR and ICMPD with financial support from the Research England Policy Support Fund. The training brought together 36 participants, including representatives from Ukrainian civil society, government officials, and members of international organizations throughout the UK, EU and Ukraine. The training was facilitated by six expert trainers from the University of Warwick, OSCE-ODIHR, ICMPD, the Alliance of Ukrainian Organisations and Open Platform (Germany), CRISP (Germany), and Facilitation Support (Poland).

Thematically, the training focused on the contributions and potential of the Global Ukrainian Community in supporting Ukraine’s recovery in key areas:

1) Transitioning from humanitarian aid to long-term recovery;

2) Rebuilding economic and social infrastructure and relationships;

3) The diaspora’s role in promoting democratization and human rights;

4) Freedom of movement and integration in host countries;

5) Diaspora engagement in transitional justice;

6) The Ukrainian diaspora as a stakeholder in Ukraine’s EU accession process.

The training also led to the formation of a new network and community of practice among organisations working with the Global Ukrainian Community across Europe, and identifying new opportunities for collaboration and synergies that were previously untapped.

Collaborative Policy Report with ICMPD (2025)

Collaborative Policy Report with ICMPD

The major training in 2024 set the stage for the development of a comprehensive report "Engaging the Global Ukrainian Community for Ukraine’s Recovery: Democracy and Human Rights Dimensions" co-authored by Maria Koinova with contributions from Roman Makukha and Magda Sabatello, 2025 as a joint publication by the University of Warwick and International Centre for Migration Policy Development.

This report presents a framework for engaging the Global Ukrainian Community (GUC) in Ukraine’s recovery, with a focus on democratic participation, human and minority rights, and democratic governance. It draws on insights from workshops and trainings led by the University of Warwick, OSCE-ODIHR, and ICMPD, as well as supporting research. The key message for all stakeholders—including the GUC, Ukrainian and host-state governments, the EU, international organizations, businesses, and civil society—is the need to embed democratic values and inclusive practices into all GUC-related efforts.

The report traces the GUC’s evolving role from humanitarian aid to broader engagement in business, civic, and political initiatives. It highlights the diaspora’s potential to support Ukraine’s democratic development through trust-building, freedom of expression, countering disinformation, and promoting diversity and rights—including gender, minority, and disability rights. It also calls for GUC involvement in democratic institutions, local governance, EU accession, and transitional justice, emphasizing the value of municipal partnerships and translocal projects. The final section offers practical recommendations to ensure Ukraine’s recovery is inclusive, participatory, and grounded in democratic principles.

Download the entire report.

Pathways to the Ukrainian Recovery Conference 2025

Pathways to URC2025

In an event leading to the Ukrainian Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, the policy-oriented conference "Ukraine’s Recovery: Building Back Better?" took place at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy on 6-7 February 2025. The conference brought together academics, policy-makers and experts who discussed aspects of Ukraine’s economic, social and institutional reconstruction. The special envoys of Italy, Austria and Norway provided insights to the debate as well. Professor Koinova was invited to join the first thematic panel where she addressed the role of the Global Ukrainian Community for recovery, and later gave a short interview with the EUI Global Governance Programme.

To acknowledge the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and 11 years after the warfare has started since Russia’s annexation of Crimea and interventions in Donbas in 2014, on 25 February 2025, Prof. Koinova and Dr. Taras Romaschenko (Bielefeld University) gave a talk “Three Years On: Global Ukrainians and Their Transnational Engagement with Ukraine” with the Centre for Studies in Democratisation at the University of Warwick. The talk discussed both the role of the Ukrainian diaspora and refugees, and potential pathways and challenges to return and reintegration.

Diaspora Lab at URC2025

Prof. Maria Koinova Gives a Keynote at the First Diaspora Lab at the Ukraine Recovery Conference

Picture of the event taken by Annabelle Gehm

Two impactful days at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome (10–11 July 2025) left Professor Maria Koinova and many other participants with a deep sense of appreciation for the resilience and commitment demonstrated by governments, international organizations, civil society, and businesses—all united in their support for Ukraine’s recovery amid immense destruction.

A standout moment was the inaugural Diaspora Lab organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), where Professor Koinova was invited to deliver the academic keynote address. The Lab convened an exceptional group of other speakers from IOM, Ukraine’s Ministry of National Unity, the Centre for Economic Recovery, the Ukrainian World Congress, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, OECD, GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation), Chatham House, and a range of Ukrainian civil society organizations: Association of Young Ukrainians/Italy, Razom/USA, Open Platform/Alliance of Ukrainian Associations/Germany, Foundation Ukraine/Poland, Promprylad Foundation/Ukraine, the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, as well as the International Trade Center, and the Global Center for Economic Growth at the University of Chicago.

In her keynote, Professor Koinova underscored the importance of interpreting evidence from other contexts with caution, given Ukraine’s distinct trajectory. Much of the existing research on effective diaspora engagement stems from countries recovering from intra-state conflicts—such as those in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Syria. Ukraine’s case, however, is different. It is enduring a conventional war following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022—an act of aggression against a sovereign state. Additionally, Ukraine has been granted a fast-tracked path toward EU accession, opening institutional opportunities unavailable to that extent to other post-conflict states. This process is further propelled by a population—both within and beyond Ukraine—that is deeply committed to democratic values and national sovereignty.

As the Diaspora Lab aimed to initiate a process for the formation of a diaspora alliance, Professor Koinova emphasised several key priorities to guide this process:

1. Professionalize the sector of Ukrainian organisations abroad to enhance their capacity and credibility.

2. Broaden access by recognising diaspora communities as key stakeholders and co-creators in Ukraine’s recovery policies.

3. Support the establishment of a robust, diaspora-facing ministry to coordinate engagement efforts.

4. Facilitate implementation of the new law on multiple citizenships to strengthen transnational ties.

5. Integrate the principle of translocalism to deepen and diversify diaspora engagement across borders.

6. Expand the geographic scope of engagement beyond Europe to include the Americas and countries in the Global South.

At URC2025, Professor Koinova also launched a new comprehensive report:

“Engaging the Ukrainian Global Community for Ukraine's Recovery: Democracy and Human Rights Dimensions” jointly published by the University of Warwick and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). The report is co-authored by Professor Koinova with contributions from ICMPD’s Roman Makukha and Magda Sabadello.

Publications and Visual Materials

Koinova, Maria with contributions from Roman Makukha and Magda Sabadello. 2025. "Engaging the Ukrainian Global Community for Ukraine's Recovery: Democracy and Human Rights Dimensions," A joint publication of the University of Warwick and International Centre for Migration Policy Development, 9 July.
Koinova, Maria. 2025. 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦, an interview with Maria Koinova, University of WarwickLink opens in a new window. European University Institute, Global Governance Programme, Florence, Italy, February.
Koinova, Maria and Taras Romashchenko. 2025 Three Years On: Global Ukrainians and Their Transnational Engagement with Ukraine. Online Event, University of Warwick, 25 February.

Koinova, Maria. 2024. “The Diaspora's Mobilization Post-Invasion Has Provided Crucial Support for Ukraine,"Migration Policy Institute, 24 October, 2024
Keudel, Oleksandra, Maria Koinova, Kateryna Pavlova and Nataliya Pryhornytska. 2024."Why and How Involve the Global Ukrainian Community for the Recovery of Ukraine,"Berlin: Open Platform e.V. and CRISP e.V.
Koinova, Maria. 2024. “The Translocalism Principle and How It Matters for Ukrainian Local Government and CommunitiesLink opens in a new window,” Research England PSF Grant, University of Warwick, Policy Memo, 11 June, 2024.
Koinova, Maria. 2024. “Four Types of Diaspora Entrepreneurs and How They Could Impact Ukraine’s RecoveryLink opens in a new window,” Research England PSF Grant, University of Warwick, Policy Memo, 16 June 2024.
Pavlova, Kateryna. 2024. “From Humanitarian Aid to Recovery: International Municipal Partnerships as an Opportunity for Sustainable Involvement of the Ukrainian DiasporaLink opens in a new window” Research England PSF Grant, University of Warwick, Case Study, June 2024.
Pavlova, Kateryna. 2024. “Unlocking Potential: How the Ukrainian Queer Community in Exile is Paving the Way for Ukraine's RecoveryLink opens in a new window,” RE PSF Fund, University of Warwick, Case Study, June 2024.
Pryhornytska, Nataliya. 2024. "Community of Bridging Managers: How Global Ukrainian Community Connects Germany and Ukraine for Sustainable Economic Relationships and ReconstructionLink opens in a new window,” Research England PSF Grant, University of Warwick, Case Study, June 2024.
Pryhornytska, Nataliya. 2024. "Social Entrepreneurship: New Ways for the Sustainable Reconstruction of UkraineLink opens in a new window,” Research England PSF Grant, University of Warwick, Case Study, June 2024.
Koinova, Maria. 2024."Why The Ukrainian Diaspora Must be Engaged in Ukraine's Recovery," EUROPP Blog, London School of Economics, 18 March.

Politics and International Studies