UKRAINE 2019 UNHCR PARTICIPATRY ASSESSMENT Participants provided overall positive feedback to UNHCR’s self-reliance program, along with several suggestions for improvement. For those who have exhausted national asylum procedures, the situation is extremely complicated. Most work without authorization, and this places them at risk of extortion from the police and abuse by employers. Typically, the type of work available is physically demanding, poorly paid and unpredictable. Durable Solutions UNHCR interviewed 14 refugees and persons with complementary protection who integrated locally without UNHCR’s assistance. When asked to identify the main factors in their success, people mentioned their legal status, solid language skills, development of professional skills and persistence in establishing local contacts and networks. DID YOU KNOW Persons recognized as refugees in Ukraine qualify for naturalization after three years, but persons with another international protection status—“complementary protection”—cannot apply for naturalization, no matter how long they stay in Ukraine. Persons with complementary protection expressed frustration regarding the lack of opportunities for naturalization. This impacts on their ability to plan, establish and maintain relationships in Ukraine and with family abroad, as well as access stable job prospects. “With complementary protection not giving access to citizenship, we are hanging in the air. I have lived here for five years with the status. I have a wife, an official job, many friends, but still I do not feel like I am rooted. We are postponing having a child, as I do not know whether my document will be prolonged from year after year or I will be told to leave.” Holder of complementary protection from Syria in Uzhhorod “I have complementary protection. I am soon to retire from my job, and I am eligible to receive the retirement pension. What if the State does not prolong my document at some point? How will I be able to survive given my age?” Holder of complementary protection from Tajikistan, Odesa Asylum-seekers worry about the length of the procedure, during which they are uncertain about their future in Ukraine. In order to integrate, most groups requested support with access to employment, as well as advanced Ukrainian language courses. “I am an educated young man, I have a university degree and speak several languages. Yet I have been an asylum-seeker for the past seven years. What kind of durable solutions are we talking about?” Asylum-seeker from Syria in Odesa Feedback mechanisms The majority of participants knew how to provide feedback to UNHCR and partners. Some expressed their concern that they do not receive replies to their resettlement applications submitted directly to UNHCR. During the meetings conducted in the frame of the participatory assessment, UNHCR provided further information about its procedures, as well as the limited resettlement opportunities. Many participants said that when they come to UNHCR, they do not receive the desired and clear answer about how their problems can be resolved in Ukraine. In particular, there are often no answers to questions about resettlement and financial assistance. One of the participants mentioned that some communities of refugees and asylum-seekers, for example from the Russian Federation, do not understand UNHCR’s role in Ukraine if it is not able to carry out a large resettlement program. Some participants asked UNHCR to reply to them with a short confirmation to acknowledge receipt after they send a request by e-mail. 8