STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE ACTIVITIES OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

Strategic planning in the activities of non-governmental organizations is designed to outline guidelines for responding to the needs of the target audience. Organizations of the third sector of Ukraine direct their activities to help the population affected by the war. For example, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine (URCS) seeks to respond to the dynamic humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by adapting its strategic plan to the changing needs of the affected population. The revision of the Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 is aimed at ensuring the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the programs and interventions of the URCS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find out the features of strategic planning regarding the involvement of communities in the activities of non-governmental organizations using the example of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine. This goal is achieved through the analysis of domestic and foreign scientific surveys, program documents of the URCS. This study provides a review of the research that provides practical advice for organizations to identify the capacity needed to support community engagement. This article attempts a practical synthesis of how the practice framework defines the needs of an organization's capacity to engage communities, which is necessary to further develop and test these capacities. Among other considerations, such work must take into account the considerable diversity that exists among NGOs. The article also showcases an example of the annual strategic plan of the URCS Community Engagement and Accountability Department for community engagement activities. Nevertheless, it is hoped that these practical observations and ideas will be tested and refined and ultimately lead to a better understanding of how organizations should prepare for optimal community participation.