RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Job creation is a key priority, especially for men, who are seen in patriarchal communities as “breadwinners” . Small grants and support of socially-responsible enterprises can help achieve this aim, and should be aimed at both men and women . Men should be consulted to find out what employment opportunities are seen as appealing and rewarding (for example, men are less likely to agree to work in minimum-wage jobs, and prefer jobs that are more demanding but better paid, whereas women tend to be more flexible, agree more eagerly for various part-time and low-paid options) . 2. Men seem more “shy” in approaching humanitarian NGOs, but are more likely to approach institutions with questions that require expertise and a sense of control and achievement (legal consultations, administrative questions) . Thus, for community activation, one could suggest creating communal spaces that can benefit men, for example, legal advice offices (where free legal consultations and trainings can be offered, in particular with questions of employment, entrepreneurship, and labor migration) . As men are less likely to request consultations with psychologists, it is preferable to include psychological support as part of other initiatives aimed at men (legal/employment consultations, recreation events) . 3. Alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs are either completely absent or their scope is limited to governmental programs for men in probation, returning from prison, etc . Caritas could hold training sessions for some of their social workers on ways to assist beneficiaries and their family members with alcohol and drug rehabilitation (perhaps with information leaflets, hotline phone numbers and addresses of local/regional rehab centres — similar to leaflets that are informing women about GBV) . Collaboration with existing substance abuse rehab programs seems desirable . 4. Projects to resist domestic violence should not only provide information, but also focus on “success stories”, because many women do not believe that suggested algorithms really work . Two specific areas of focus have been identified in this study: economic domestic violence towards the elderly (adult children withdrawing their elderly parents’ pension and other benefits, selling their property, etc), and Caritas social workers experiencing domestic violence from their partners .

Caritas primary concern should be with well-being of their employees, volunteers and beneficiaries, so these two areas of focus need to be taken into consideration in planning future projects . 5. There is a shortage of residential facilities for the elderly (old age homes or day centres) . In some cases, need for such facilities is justified by beneficiaries by high costs of private home maintenance, especially heating costs in winter months . In other cases it is justified by domestic violence and conflicts with younger family members who abuse the elderly . And finally such residential facilities can offer better healthcare services and offer 24/7 assistance when necessary . Creation of such centres could be a suggestion for future Caritas activity . 6. Women who are already employed in “traditionally female” sectors (education, healthcare, social services, etc) enjoy a high level of prestige and respect in communities and can be further empowered and encouraged by additional material and non-material incentives, including trainings, hand-out materials, assistance in purchasing supplies and equipment for their work, etc . Job creation in “traditionally

female” sectors through humanitarian NGOs is also greatly appreciated (e .g . Caritas employed social workers) and offers not only a job and a source of income, but many skills that are useful in the future . 7. A focus on infrastructure can lessen women caregivers’ burden: public transport (e .g . “social taxi” to take beneficiaries to various institutions), doctors’ visits, mobile offices for social and administrative services, etc . Additionally, with home-based care, laundry services, hot home-cooked meals for vulnerable beneficiaries, haircuts, assistance with childcare and similar services can be offered by NGOs to lessen the burden of women at home, and free up some of their time for income-generating activities . Caritas social workers can also be trained to assist beneficiaries with online access to administrative and social services (many services can be more easily accessed with online registration, thus reducing the need to travel to social and administrative centres) . 8. Alongside with targeted assistance to vulnerable categories, Caritas could invest more resources into strategic long-term planning in collaboration with other NGOs and local government . Better coordination and distribution of responsibilities among various NGOs and alignment of activities with priorities and needs at municipal level, will result in more comprehensive and systemic coverage of various social needs . Some cases where municipalities requested NGO assistance were in helping organize mobile doctors’ visits, mobile centres for offering administrative and social services and training beneficiaries to use online services (this should be preceeded by securing highspeed broadband internet coverage in villages, where NGOs could also offer support), offering professional assistance of psychologists and social workers (contracts for service provision could be signed with Territorial centres – for instance, probation services often lack psychologists and social workers to accompany and reintegrate former convicts) .