Habitus mundi / Attitude Towards the World

The project addresses four interconnected challenges in the Banská Bystrica Region. First, people from Ukraine living in the region are not systematically included in local and regional decision-making processes. Second, there is a weak link between their everyday needs and public policies. Third, public institutions often lack structured data, safe consultation mechanisms, and effective communication channels connecting migrant communities with public authorities. Fourth, parts of the majority population are affected by solidarity fatigue, stereotypes, and limited direct contact with people affected by forced displacement.

People from Ukraine have been residing in the region for several years and constitute a stable part of local communities. However, their participation in public and civic life remains limited, and institutional responses are often slow or insufficient in addressing their evolving needs. As a result, many people from Ukraine have limited opportunities to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes that affect their daily lives and do not have their perspectives fully reflected in public policies.

This situation is reinforced by broader societal attitudes. According to Globsec (2023), more than half of respondents in Slovakia express negative attitudes towards accepting migrants from Ukraine, while 44% believe that Ukrainian migrants threaten Slovak values and identity (Globsec, 2024). These attitudes are reflected in lived experiences: nearly one fifth of Ukrainian respondents perceive attitudes towards them as rather or very negative, and 23.3% report experiences of rejection or unequal treatment (SAV, 2025).

Together, these factors contribute to reduced social cohesion and a persistent gap between lived experience and policy-making, limiting inclusive governance and the responsiveness of public institutions to the needs of affected communities.

The project aims to establish and operationalise a regional Ukrainian–Slovak participatory and advocacy platform hosted by Atrium BB in the Banská Bystrica Region, enabling structured participation of people from Ukraine in local and regional decision-making.

Main activities include mapping needs and barriers to participation among people from Ukraine through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, resulting in a structured assessment report. Based on this evidence, the project will develop the governance framework of the platform, including its statute, ethical code, selection criteria, and safe participation procedures. A representative Council of People from Ukraine will be established and trained as the core participatory body.

The Council will meet regularly, collect community inputs, identify key issues, and formulate structured recommendations. These will be further developed through community forums and thematic consultations involving people from Ukraine and members of the host community. Parallel consultations will be held with municipalities, the Banská Bystrica Region, schools, and public service providers to ensure continuous dialogue between communities and institutions.

The project will include knowledge exchange with a Norwegian partner focused on participatory governance and migrant inclusion. Communication and advocacy activities will run throughout the project to support awareness-raising, community engagement, and reduction of stereotypes, strengthening social cohesion.

The direct outputs of the project are:

1. a needs and barriers assessment report;

2. an established and operational Council of People from Ukraine;

3. a functioning participatory and advocacy platform linking communities and public institutions;

4. at least two policy briefs with recommendations for local and regional authorities;

5. a final advocacy report including a model for long-term cooperation;

6. documented outputs from community forums and consultations.

The project aims to strengthen participation, representation, and institutional dialogue for people from Ukraine in the Banská Bystrica Region, while improving social cohesion and trust between Ukrainian communities and the host society.

The key result will be the establishment of a functioning Ukrainian–Slovak participatory and advocacy platform hosted by Atrium BB, anchored by a representative Council of People from Ukraine (9 members and 3 alternates). The platform will enable structured participation in decision-making and dialogue with public institutions.

The project will include 16–18 Council meetings, at least 6 community forums or thematic consultations, and 6 consultations with municipalities, the region, schools, and public service providers, leading to more responsive and evidence-based local decision-making.

Key outputs include at least 2 policy briefs, a final advocacy document, and a model for long-term cooperation with public institutions. A communication and risk-response mechanism will address tensions, misinformation, and trust-related risks.

For people from Ukraine, the project will increase opportunities for participation and representation, supporting their shift from recipients of support to active contributors to local governance, strengthening their sense of belonging and integration.

A key long-term result is a sustainable participatory structure that will continue beyond the project. The platform will function as a permanent mechanism hosted by Atrium BB, supported by staff, volunteers, and the Ukrainian community, with key tools such as engagement formats, communication channels, and working methods embedded in its ongoing work.

Additional beneficiaries include public institutions, which will gain structured access to community feedback; the host community, which will benefit from improved understanding and reduced stereotypes; and civil society actors, which will gain a transferable model of participatory governance.