Ukraine Response: Learning Needs Analysis

In April 2022 RedR UK conducted a rapid Learning Needs Assessment (LNA) to identify priority capacity building needs of those providing humanitarian assistance to people inside and outside of Ukraine, who are affected by the conflict. As a result of this assessment, RedR commenced a series of free to access, contextualised, online facilitated training sessions on a variety of topics, available in Ukrainian, English, Polish, and Romanian. In November-December 2022, this second Learning Needs Assessment was conducted to understand changes in the context and current capacity strengths, gaps and learning needs to inform RedR’s next steps. Data for the LNA is drawn from: desk review of relevant literature including situation reports, research pieces, and other capacity and training needs assessments; an online survey conducted in English, Ukrainian, Polish and Romanian, and; individual consultation with key informants in a range of organisations and locations across the response. The LNA includes an analysis not only of capacity gaps and learning needs, but also identified capacity strengths in the response. It provides an overview of what learning activities are taking place, and which learning approaches are most appropriate in the current context. The role of local organisations and the role of RedR in strengthening capacity in Ukraine and neighbouring countries are explored, before recommendations are given for RedR’s next steps in supporting the sector with the ongoing response.

The assessment has found that existing capacities should be acknowledged and mobilised in the continued strengthening of the response, which should both seek to promote the exchange of these existing capacities and the strengthening of identified capacity gaps. Actors of all kinds have mobilised a lot of staff and volunteers across the response. The key informant interviews and desk review found that key strengths of local and national organisations include their flexibility, agility and strong understanding of the context. International organisations, meanwhile, were often found to lack this contextual understanding and to bring their assumptions and approaches from very different into this response. Conversely, where many local and national organisations are new to operating in a humanitarian response and lack an understanding of the underlying ethics and principles, systems, structures and stakeholders involved, international actors bring a strong understanding of these aspects and the ability to quickly mobilise humanitarian funding. More needs to be done to maximise these complementarities through the use of capacity sharing approaches and peer to peer exchange.