Challenge statement
Challenge type: If you are working on multiple challenges, please indicate if this is your "big bet" or "exploratory" challenge.
Please note: we ask you to only submit a maximum of 3 challenges - 1x Big Bet, 2x Exploratory. Each challenge must be submitted individually.
EXPLORATORY
Challenge statement: What is your challenge? (Please answer in specific terms: "Our challenge is that...”.)
Our challenge is to ensure an innovative angle to Ukraine's UNDP country
programme as well as the internal capacity to anticipate and adapt to emerging
trends, embrace experimental ways of working, and forge partnerships that
promote transformative change while supporting Ukraine and its citizens who
face complex challenges in recovery, sustainable development, and achieving EU
accession goals, amplified by the ongoing war and economic disruptions.
Background: What is the history of your challenge? What is causing or driving it? Who is involved? How does the current situation look like? What undesired effects does it produce?
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a pressing issue in Ukraine, as it does globally, affecting millions of women, men, and children. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated vulnerabilities, especially among displaced
populations, contributing to increased risks of GBV. Public transportation areas are particularly susceptible to harassment, assault, and other violent acts due to the large number of people and the relative anonymity they offer.
UNDP seeks to understand how safety and security are perceived in public transport.
This concept outlines a comprehensive and multifaceted GBV prevention campaign targeting public transport users, designed to raise awareness, promote behavioral change, and enhance safety in both intercity and urban transport environments.
Quantitative evidence: What (official) data sources do you have on this challenge that better exemplifies the importance and urgency of this frontier challenge? You can add text, a link, or a picture.
the cost to
humanity of the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine has been vast[1].
Around 24,862 civilian deaths[2]. Over 3,67 million refugees have fled across
Europe[3].
6,5 mln. of Ukrainian refugees, 3,7 mln. of internally displaced persons, 2 mln
households were affected by damaged or destroyed housing, a fivefold increase
in poverty to 24,1% - up from 5,5%[4].
[1] Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was presaged
in 2014 by the illegal annexation of Crimea and its move to culturally,
politically, and economically integrate the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of
Ukraine into the Russian Federation, summarised from UN CCA 2023, p.5-9.
[2] OHCHR, Ukraine Civilian Causalities Update, 19 June 2023.
[3] IOM, Displacement Tracking Matrix. 2024 https://dtm.iom.int/ukraine
[4] World Bank Group. Ukraine https://data.worldbank.org/country/ukraine
Qualitative evidence: What weak signals have you recently spotted that characterizes its urgency? Please provide qualitative information that better exemplifies the importance and urgency of this frontier challenge. You can add text, a link, or a picture.
The Ukrainian
context is characterized by a dynamic yet challenging environment where social
and green transformations are critical for sustainable development.
According to a comprehensive UNDP-led Human Impact Assessment[1],
the war in Ukraine has significantly affected social inclusion Impact of the War on Social Inclusion and Vulnerable Groups. Around 45% of the population now belongs to at least one vulnerable group, such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and older persons. These groups have experienced the lowest income levels and face discrimination, especially in seeking employment or
accommodation. The assessment also highlights severe challenges related to gender equality, with 3.6 million people at risk of gender-based violence. About 55% of women reported feeling unsafe in their daily lives, and a significant number of women are burdened with unpaid domestic work, spending over 50 hours per week on chores.
A 2023 assessment on sexual violence completed by JURFEM, noted that 59% of participants surveyed reported experiencing sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Of the women who experienced sexual violence, 71% experienced sexual violence in the workplace, 35% on public transport, and 24% at home. The GBV AoR estimates that there are 2.5 million people in Ukraine in need of GBV assistance.
[1] Human Impact Assessment. UNDP, 2023
Value proposition: What added value or unique value proposition is your Accelerator Lab bringing to solving this challenge? Why is it your Lab that needs to work on this challenge and not other actors within UNDP, other stakeholders in the country respectively? Why is it worth investing resources to this challenge?
The Accelerator Lab's unique position within UNDP Ukraine allows it to act as a catalyst for innovative, community-led initiatives that address both environmental and social challenges. By leveraging its expertise in innovation methods, such as participatory design, co-creation, and systems thinking, the Lab can effectively support communities in scaling their green and social innovation projects. The Lab's ability to connect local initiatives with international best practices and funding opportunities further strengthens its role as a key player in promoting sustainable recovery and social inclusion amidst Ukraine's EU accession journey. Our focus on engaging diverse community groups, including women and youth, ensures a comprehensive approach that aligns with both local needs and broader development goals.
A GBV prevention campaign in Ukraine's public transport is an urgent and necessary intervention to address the growing threat of violence in public spaces. By educating the public, empowering survivors, and fostering
a culture of intervention and accountability, this campaign can make meaningful strides toward reducing GBV and ensuring safer urban environments for everyone.
UNDP would like to learn what new approaches would be efficient to for creating a cultural shift that promotes respect, safety, and dignity in Ukraine’s public spaces.
Through learning, UNDP aims to foster a culture of safety, respect, and vigilance within the railway and metro systems, making them safer spaces for all passengers, particularly women and girls.
Short “tweet” summary: We would like to tweet what you are working on, can you summarize your challenge in a maximum of 280 characters?
AccLab
Ukraine is promoting cohesive solutions and innovative angles to Ukraine's UNDP country programme as well as the
internal capacity to anticipate and adapt to emerging trends, embrace
experimental ways of working, and forge partnerships that promote
transformative change while supporting Ukraine and its citizens who face
complex challenges in recovery, sustainable development, and achieving EU
accession goals, amplified by the ongoing war and economic disruptions.
Learning questions
Learning question: What is your learning question for this challenge? What do you need to know or understand to work on your challenge statement?
How can we strategically embed integrative intelligence and research to accelerate behavioral change in Ukraine, with a specific focus on GBV-related issues and concerns, ensuring that UNDP Ukraine maximizes the benefits of internal expertise, new partnerships and innovative solutions for its interventions?
To what stage(s) in the learning cycle does your learning question relate?
Sense, Explore, Test
Usage of methods: Relating to your choice above, how will you use your methods & tools for this learning question? What value do these add in answering your learning question?
A.
Quantitative Survey
B.
Observation with Situation Simulation and Communication Campaign
C. Public discussion
Existing data gaps: Relating to your choice above, what existing gaps in data or information do these new sources of data addressing? What value do these add in answering your learning question?
Current data gaps include a lack of comprehensive data on the main GBV-related issues and concerns in public transport and limited information on the effectiveness of different educational interventions in the past. The new data sources will help address these gaps by providing real-time, ground-level insights into community needs and social innovation initiatives.
Closing
Early leads to grow: Think about the possible grow phase for this challenge - who might benefit from your work on this challenge or who might be the champions in your country that you should inform or collaborate with early on to help you grow this challenge?
The learning cycle comprehensive approach—sense, explore, test —will help ensure far-reaching and lasting effects. This initiative is not just about preventing violence but about creating a cultural shift that promotes respect, safety, and dignity in Ukraine’s public spaces. If successful, the campaign model could be expanded to other public spaces such as schools, universities, and parks across Ukraine.
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5Gender equality
11Sustainable cities and communities
16Peace, justice and strong institutions
17Partnerships for the goals
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