The armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has radically changed the life of local communities on the 'contact line'. In addition to serious issues of public security and social cohesion, local communities are acutely lacking new approaches, expertise and resources for the reconstruction and development of their territories.

Effective collaboration with the private sector is a prerequisite for the success of most communities. Private firms often bring innovation, experience and financial resources into a community. This is particularly important for the reconstruction of communities in eastern Ukraine.

This study highlights the main trends, barriers and prospects for socially responsible business development in Ukraine, with an emphasis on the eastern regions. It examines private sector engagement in the development of three communities in Donetsk Oblast (Velyka Novosilka, Druzhkivka, Novhorodske) and three in Luhansk Oblast (Bilovodsk, Sievierodonetsk, Shchastia).

This research was carried out based on the analysis of information from open sources, interviews with business representatives, local authorities and civil society organisations in communities on the 'contact line'.