Reintegrating veterans through collaborative Research and Action

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Corioli Institute forged partnerships with local organizations dedicated to supporting the reintegration of Ukrainian soldiers returning from the frontlines. Collaborators include the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement, Pislya Sluzhby, and IREX, among others.

In summer 2023, guided by these partnerships, Corioli researchers conducted on-site interviews with Ukrainian servicemembers, veterans, and diverse stakeholders from government, civil society, and international organizations. This fieldwork informed the first annual "Out of War" conference held on October 13-14, 2023, at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The conference, titled "Global Insights to Support Strategies for the Reintegration of Ukraine's Frontline Returnees," brought together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and formerly armed actors from 18 countries to develop action-oriented strategies addressing veterans' social, economic, and psychological challenges.

Insights from the conference and from Corioli’s fieldwork were integrated into our newly released Project Report, "Between Frontline and Home Front: Reintegration, Resilience, and Participation Strategies for Ukraine's Veterans," published in November 2024. The report offers a detailed analysis of grassroots efforts, gaps in mental health, medical care, and economic opportunities, and provides recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on veteran reintegration.

The Corioli Institute is actively engaged in Research and Action initiatives to support the economic reintegration of Ukraine's veterans. Building on over a year of collaboration with local partners, we are contributing to the development of guiding principles for companies committed to employing veterans. This work includes supporting workshops in Kyiv, conducted in partnership with the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). These efforts aim to foster pathways for civic engagement, counseling services, and sustainable job opportunities for returning veterans.