Stregthening Local Capacities to Mitigate Small Arms Risks
Partner: The Small Arms Survey
Donor: NORAD through Norwegian People’s Aid.
Project implementation period: January 2026 – December 2026.
Local governments and administrative service centers in Ukraine play a vital role in ensuring the safety of citizens amid growing risks associated with the proliferation of small arms and armed violence. In partnership with the Small Arms Survey, the Center for Security Studies “CENSS,” and Norwegian People’s Aid, the project “Strengthening Local Capacities to Mitigate Small Arms Risks” is being implemented, aimed at enhancing communities’ ability to effectively respond to security challenges.
The project is based on the findings of a study conducted as part of the “Enhancing Local Arms Control and Risk Reduction in Ukraine” project (June–December 2025), which was implemented in partnership with the Small Arms Survey with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norwegian People’s Aid). During the research, particularly through focus groups, key challenges and needs of local self-government bodies and ASCs in the area of responding to risks associated with weapons and ammunition were identified.
As part of the new project, specialized training programs will be implemented for representatives of local governments and ASCs, aimed at safely responding to incidents involving weapons and ammunition, de-escalating conflicts, and adhering to proper safety protocols. The project also includes public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risks associated with the illicit circulation of weapons and the importance of proper registration.
The project aims to strengthen local capacity to prevent and reduce risks associated with armed violence and the proliferation of small arms, as well as to promote the creation of a safe and inclusive environment in Ukrainian communities through the development of knowledge, skills, and practices in arms control.