CONFLICT-SENSITIVE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES TO SUPPORTING SOCIAL COHESION AND REDUCING SOCIAL TENSION IN COMMUNITIES: A THEORETICAL REVIEW AND CASE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Relevance. The article examines the issue of social tension arising in Ukrainian communities due to the war. Reducing this tension is a critical task, as it has long-term and systemic impacts on society, especially under wartime conditions. Objective – to analyze the applicability of conflict-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches to addressing social tension, using the case study of the “Mobile Teams of Mediators and Psychologists for Community Conflict Management and Interaction Support” project. Methodology. The analysis employs a literature review and a case study of the project. Scientific novelty. The principles of conflict-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches have been systematized within the context of the war in Ukraine, adapted to local conditions, and their practical implementation evaluated for the first time. The article presents the case of the “Mobile Teams of Mediators and Psychologists for Community Conflict Management and Interaction Support” project, which integrates the principles of these approaches. Their implementation has been facilitated through work on multiple levels: individual, group, and intergroup. The adaptability, flexibility, continuous monitoring of social dynamics, diverse individual and group interventions, and a focus on a wide range of beneficiaries and locations have enabled the effective adaptation and application of these approaches in the Ukrainian context. Conclusions and prospects. Conflict-sensitive and trauma-informed approaches have demonstrated high effectiveness in projects aimed at conflict resolution in Ukraine, reducing tension and fostering constructive interaction. Further research should focus on expanding the adaptation and application of these approaches to the Ukrainian context.