Norwegian authorities want to support Ukraine’s resilience and reconstruction, while also increasing Ukraine related expertise in Norwegian politics, public administration and business.
To achieve this, solid knowledge is needed. The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) is therefore allocating funding to research that develops and strengthens society relevant competence on Ukraine in Norway.
The Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet has now been awarded funding for three major projects on work life, municipal cooperation and researcher networks.
Building knowledge about working life in Ukraine
“I am particularly excited to get started on this project. The topic is hugely important and highly relevant. The project aims to support the many solidarity initiatives within the Norwegian labour movement related to Ukraine and make them even more effective,” says NIBR researcher Jørn Holm-Hansen.
He will lead the project “Working Life in Ukraine”, which will connect research based insights about Ukrainian work life with the knowledge needs of the Norwegian labour movement, public administration and business.
“This is pioneering work. Things are changing rapidly in this area, and there is very limited knowledge about Ukrainian work life and trade union organisation, even among researchers like us who work on Ukraine,” says Holm-Hansen, adding:
“Through this project, we will generate that knowledge, and keep it continuously updated.”
Among other things, the project will launch a new website tracking work life–related developments in Ukraine.
Holm-Hansen believes that understanding Ukrainian work life is essential.
“Most importantly, of course, for those working in Ukraine. But the Ukrainian economy also depends on some of the millions of labour migrants and refugees eventually returning. And there is substantial work ahead before Ukraine’s labour standards reach EU level, which is now a top priority for the country,” he says.
Strengthening knowledge about Ukrainian local governance
The second NIBR project, “Knowledge Programme on Ukraine for Norwegian Municipalities”, will provide Norwegian municipalities with a solid foundation for establishing and developing sustainable partnerships with municipalities in Ukraine.
“This initiative is crucial for strengthening local reconstruction cooperation and ensuring targeted, knowledge based support for Ukraine,” says project leader Aadne Aasland.
The project will in particular focus on how local governance functions in Ukraine.
Researchers will collaborate with, among others, KS (the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities), the Kyiv School of Economics and the Association of Ukrainian Cities.
“Norwegian municipalities show strong willingness to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction, but often lack a solid knowledge base. We aim to provide insights that make these partnerships more targeted and robust,” Aasland says.
Expanding the UKRAINETT researcher network
The third project NIBR has received funding for is a continuation of UKRAINETT, a network for researchers with an interest in Ukraine (uni.oslomet.no), initiated by NIBR after Russia’s full scale invasion in 2022.
The project will facilitate conferences, seminars, seed funding and outreach to researchers, public administration and the general public.
The project leader is NIBR researcher Marthe H. Myhre.
Strengthening vital cooperation
NIBR has conducted research on, in and with Ukraine and Ukrainians since 2008, with broad expertise in political reforms, local democracy, municipal services, language and identity across the country.
Kristian Rose Tronstad, head of research for the three project leaders, is pleased that NIBR has been awarded the projects.
“They make it possible to continue and strengthen our important cooperation with strong academic environments and organisations in Ukraine. Through these projects, we will deliver essential knowledge for Norway’s long term engagement in and with Ukraine,” says Tronstad.
