Our Approach

1. Decentralized, Demand-Driven Recovery

RFA believes recovery starts where people feel its impact most – at the local level. A decentralized, demand-driven recovery puts municipalities at the centre – grounded in the understanding that barriers to healthcare, education, and social services are the most pressing on the ground. Thus, municipalities, not the central government, should drive their own recovery processes.  

A demand-driven approach recognizes that municipalities’ needs and priorities vary, as each municipality is unique and so are its needs. For example, in some municipalities, a significant segment of the younger generation, including children, left during the war, leaving behind an aging population. In such cases, the municipality should focus on strengthening healthcare and social services to ensure that everyone has quality access to medical care and assistance tailored to their needs.  

Meanwhile those municipalities experiencing an influx of internally displaced persons, including young families with children, must adapt their education systems. For example, they must rapidly increase capacity to provide schooling for a significantly larger number of children. 

Thus, effective and meaningful recovery should address specific problems and challenges of municipalities – reflecting the needs of the most vulnerable groups among their citizens.  

2. Inclusive, Gender-Responsive Recovery

Inclusive, gender-responsive recovery must reflect the experiences, voices, and needs of all citizens — especially women, vulnerable populations, and marginalized groups. These include veterans, children with disabilities, and men and women aged 60 years old and above. RFA works to ensure no one is left behind, from planning through to implementation.  

To consider the needs of as many social groups as possible, the Project uses GBA+ — a comprehensive gender analysis methodology that allows municipalities to understand and respond to the variety needs of people of different age, gender, health status, ethnic or cultural affiliation, as well as additional characteristics that are often overlooked. For example, war, trauma and other factors are increasing the number of children with special educational needs. Data indicates this trend is expected to continue. These children have equal right to quality education with others, which is why RFA is working closely with municipalities, teachers and parents to ensure they can exercise this right and receive opportunity to lead full, meaningful lives. 

The same applies to war veterans today. Veterans return to their municipalities with injuries and disabilities, facing limited employment opportunities and challenges to reintegrate into society. In response, the project team is working with local governments and businesses to ensure that every veteran feels valued and can become an active participant in the municipality. 

People living in remote areas deserve special attention. Today, they face mobility challenges due to poor transportation infrastructure and lack access to basic services, including healthcare and social services. RFA’s goal is to identify solutions to ensure no one is left behind and has quality access to the basic services guaranteed to them by the state. 

3. Strategic Recovery Planning and Policy Development