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EVs in Social Resilience and Preparedness – Lessons from Ukraine

EVs in Resilience: Lessons from Ukraine

The project investigates the role of electric vehicles for social resilience and preparedness by analyzing their use in crisis and war situations in Ukraine and transferring lessons learned to Sweden. The results provide new knowledge and concrete recommendations that strengthen energy systems, societal preparedness and household resilience.

Projektledare
Active
Not applicable
2.5 år
7 miljoner SEK
Division: Do not use - Division Built Environment

Project Overview

The project explores the role of electric vehicles (EVs) in social resilience and preparedness by studying how EVs are used in crisis and wartime situations in Ukraine, and by transferring lessons learned to a Swedish context. The study is based on interviews with EV owners in Ukraine, complemented by interviews with EV market stakeholders and other key actors. It is conducted in close collaboration with the Ukrainian research institute State Road Transport Research Institute (SRTRI) in Kyiv. By combining perspectives on electromobility, energy systems, and household behavior, the project develops new knowledge about how EVs can contribute to societal resilience.

The EV as a Resource in Crisis

While EVs primarily function as a means of transport, under certain conditions they also have the potential to serve as an energy resource—for example, by providing backup power to homes, neighborhoods, and local communities. The project investigates the extent to which this occurs in practice, and the conditions that could enable such a role from a preparedness perspective.

Lessons from Ukraine for Mutual Benefit

Ukraine offers unique experiences of EV use under severe conditions, providing valuable insights into how EVs can be utilized in times of crisis and uncertainty. By analyzing these experiences, the project identifies strategies, drivers, and barriers that can strengthen energy systems, charging infrastructure, and preparedness in both Sweden and Ukraine.

Knowledge That Makes a Difference

The project’s results provide municipalities, government agencies, and energy companies with concrete recommendations for planning electrification and crisis preparedness. For households, the project increases awareness of how EVs can be used as part of home preparedness, contributing to a more robust and sustainable society.

 

Lars-Henrik Björnsson

Forskare
+46 10 516 69 64 Read more about Lars-Henrik

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State Road Transport Research Institute, SRTRI (Kyiv)
Funders without URL: The Swedish Energy Agency Project end date: Social sustainability in urban development Sekundär områdes navigation:
Mobility
Electromobility
Urban development

Forskningsprojekt : Miljonprogrammets tvillingområden i omställning

Miljonprogrammets tvillingområden
Översiktskarta Gottsunda och Biskopsgården

Miljonprogramsområden som Gottsunda och Biskopsgården står inför omfattande omvandlingsprocesser. Projektet ska utveckla och testa nya arbetssätt som stärker lokal ekonomi, social hållbarhet och inkluderande platsutveckling, samtidigt som effekterna av stadsutvecklingsinsatser synliggörs och värderas.

Koordinator och projektledning
Active
Byggd miljö Cirkulär omställning Mobilitet Resurseffektiva städer Samhällsbyggnad Stadsutveckling Systeminnovation Tjänsteinnovation
Region Uppsala Västra Götalandsregionen
3 år
9 016 375 kronor (Sökt bidrag 5 996 375 kr. Egen finansiering 3 020 000 kr)
Division: Använd ej - Division Samhällsbyggnad

Om projektet

Miljonprogrammets tvillingområden i omställning är ett forsknings- och innovationsprojekt som genomförs i Gottsunda i Uppsala och Biskopsgården i Göteborg – två områden med liknande förutsättningar och utvecklingsutmaningar. Projektet utgår från pågående stadsomvandlingsprocesser och undersöker hur fysisk utveckling, lokal ekonomi och social hållbarhet kan integreras för att skapa mer attraktiva, trygga och inkluderande livsmiljöer.

Projektet fokuserar på tre områden: 1. Områdesutveckling för minskad segregation; 2. Samhällsekonomisk transformation genom ökad sysselsättning och lokalt entreprenörskap; samt 3. Delaktighet och tillgänglighet genom universell utformning. Genom att följa och analysera konkreta insatser i de två områdena utvecklas metoder för att mäta och värdera sociala, ekonomiska och rumsliga effekter av stadsutveckling.

RISE leder projektet och ansvarar för metodutveckling, analys och utvärdering. Arbetet sker i nära samverkan med Göteborgs Stad, Framtidenkoncernen, Uppsala kommun, Uppsalahem och Hemmaplan. Resultatet blir nya verktyg, indikatorer och beslutsstöd som kan användas av kommuner, fastighetsägare och andra aktörer för att utveckla hållbara och inkluderande stadsdelar i hela Sverige.

Projektet finansieras av Vinnova genom ShiftSweden, ett av Sveriges nationella innovationsprogram inom Impact Innovation. Arbetet genomförs inom omställningslabbet Utnyttja momentum i stora omvandlingsprojekt, där forskare, kommuner och andra samhällsaktörer tillsammans utvecklar och testar lösningar för framtidens hållbara livsmiljöer.

Projektets tre fokusområden

1. Områdesutveckling – minskad segregation

Projektet ska utveckla och utvärdera integrerade insatser som stärker social, rumslig och miljömässig hållbarhet i Gottsunda och Biskopsgården. Fokus ligger på att minska barriärer mellan människor, verksamheter och stadsdelar samt att skapa mer attraktiva, trygga och sammanhängande livsmiljöer. Arbetet omfattar bland annat platsutveckling, utveckling av offentliga rum, levande bottenvåningar och torgutveckling. För att analysera effekterna används effektlogikbaserad områdesanalys, indikatorstyrning samt jämförande studier mellan de två tvillingområdena. Kvantitativa data kombineras med intervjuer, platsobservationer och andra kvalitativa metoder för att följa utvecklingen över tid.

2. Samhällsekonomisk transformation – ökad sysselsättning

Projektet ska stärka lokal ekonomi och skapa bättre förutsättningar för sysselsättning och entreprenörskap. Särskilt fokus riktas mot personer med svag anknytning till arbetsmarknaden samt lokala företag och verksamheter som bidrar till områdenas utveckling. Arbetet omfattar bland annat företagsinkubatorer, sysselsättningsinsatser och utveckling av modeller för lokalt värdeskapande. Effekterna analyseras med hjälp av BruttoLokalProdukt (BLP), som synliggör hur ekonomiska värden skapas och cirkulerar lokalt, samt Social Return on Investment (SROI), som värderar sociala och ekonomiska effekter i monetära termer. Före- och eftermätningar genomförs i båda områdena för att validera resultaten.

3. Delaktighet för tillgänglighet – inkluderande platser

Projektet ska utveckla och testa universell utformning som ett verktyg för ökad delaktighet och jämlik tillgång till stadens resurser. Målet är att skapa miljöer, tjänster och utvecklingsprocesser som fungerar för så många människor som möjligt, oavsett ålder, funktionsförmåga eller livssituation. Fokus ligger på tillgång till service, mobilitet, mötesplatser och möjligheten att påverka utvecklingen av den egna stadsdelen. Arbetet bygger på effektlogikbaserade platsanalyser, indikatorer för tillgänglighet och inkludering samt samskapande processer med boende och lokala aktörer. Projektet använder även så kallad double-loop learning, där både resultat och bakomliggande arbetssätt, normer och styrmodeller granskas och utvecklas.

Björn Hellström

Forskare
+46 73 035 54 04 Read more about Björn
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1.Ingen fattigdom
3.Hälsa och välbefinnande
5.Jämställdhet
8.Anständiga arbetsvillkor och ekonomisk tillväxt
10.Minskad ojämlikhet
11.Hållbara städer och samhällen
Uppsala Kommun Stadsbyggnadsförvaltningen Göteborgs kommun Stadsbyggnadsförvaltningen & Stadsfastighetsförvaltningen Uppsalahem AB Fastighets AB Hemmaplan Förvaltningsab Framtiden
Project end date: Stadsutveckling Sekundär områdes navigation:
Samhällsbyggnad
Social hållbarhet i stadsutveckling

Everything you need to know about social investments.

People in a big city photographed against the light

Many societal challenges are too large and complex to be solved by individual measures alone. This is where socially sustainable investments come into play. Those involved are 'tied to the mast', with funding linked to requirements for positive outcomes. But how can we ensure that these investments are as sustainable as possible?

The first step in social investment is to identify a social issue related to people's living conditions that you wish to address through the investment of early, preventive measures. Examples of such challenges include segregation, inequality in healthcare, and declining school results.

Long-term challenges that require several parties to share responsibility.

'It is important to identify where regular work does not go all the way. Typically, these are cross-sectoral issues where responsibility needs to be shared by several parties or activities. Many of these challenges are difficult to address within the constraints of short-term budgets and political terms of office,” explains Beatrice Amsenius, who works with the Social & Health Impact Centre (SHIC) at RISE.

It is important to identify areas where regular work does not suffice. These are usually cross-sectoral issues where responsibility needs to be shared by several principals or activities.

She provides a specific example of this gap: people with psychiatric disabilities who are not in employment. Scientific evidence shows that this group would benefit from a job where support is provided in the workplace, rather than going through various rehabilitation programmes, as is the current approach.

From a healthcare perspective, work is not considered a form of treatment. The Employment Service and the Social Insurance Agency believe that this group is too unwell to work. This means that people with psychiatric disabilities are caught in a void, as none of the relevant social actors are willing to take overall responsibility for their situation, says Beatrice Amsenius.

Special forms of financing are required

Several different financing models enable investments to extend across administrative boundaries and financial years. One such model is outcome-based loan financing. Kommuninvest, a credit market company owned by municipalities and regions, offers this model.

'Social Sustainability Loans' are designed to encourage municipalities to work on social sustainability. We place extra focus on impact assessment and follow-up. Our aim is to help municipalities adopt a more systematic and long-term approach to social sustainability,” says Björn Bergstrand, Sustainability Manager at Kommuninvest.

This form of financing can be granted for two types of investment. One type is a physical investment linked to a social initiative. The other type involves the physical investment itself constituting the social initiative. For example, this could involve installing more and better lighting in a socially disadvantaged residential area, which research suggests increases safety.

In order to achieve a positive outcome, it is important that all parties feel they have won. Conversely, if the outcome is not as desired, it is crucial that all parties feel they have lost.

‘Our social sustainability loans can be seen as one piece of the puzzle in a systemic shift towards a much more outcome-focused approach in the public sector.’ This approach places greater emphasis on actual change for specific target groups than on what has been done, focusing instead on follow-up and evaluation. It interacts well with developments elsewhere, such as social outcome contracts,” says Björn Bergstrand.

The importance of an intermediary in social outcome contracts

A social outcome contract is a financing model for social investments. Put simply, it is an agreement between different parties who have decided to work together to address a social challenge. These parties are often from both the private and public sectors. Together, they define the desired outcomes, the measures expected to have an effect and how progress will be monitored. Remuneration for the work is linked to the achievement of targets.

To achieve a good outcome, all parties must feel they have won. If the outcome is not as desired, all parties must feel they have lost. The idea is to encourage risk-sharing among the players and use this as a mechanism to drive change. Sometimes we talk about tying everyone to the mast. It shouldn't be so easy to abandon ship just because things get tough or another political assignment comes along,' explains Beatrice Amsenius.

This type of collaboration, like cross-sectoral work in general, requires an independent actor who can understand the different languages used by the various parties involved.

The intermediary's role is to understand how everything fits together and create a shared vision. It involves process management, but also being an active participant who suggests ideas. 'This is how we could define the target group, these are the outcomes we could measure, and this is how we could finance our work,' Beatrice Amsenius explains.

'This is an important pilot project from which we can learn lessons.'

RISE fulfilled this role within a social outcomes contract in the Stockholm suburbs of Hässelby and Vällingby. The City of Stockholm and the children and young people's social services in Hässelby-Vällingby recognised the need for initiatives to support children and young people at risk of substance abuse and crime.

'The aim was to engage with civil society in a systematic way so that they could provide a different kind of support to that offered by social services. The city therefore issued a reserved contract, meaning that only civil society and non-profit organisations could respond to the tender. Five organisations with expertise in different types of support were successful,’ says Beatrice Amsenius.

The evaluation of the project, which ran from 2021 to 2022, revealed positive findings, such as civil society actors finding it easier to reach the target group. There was also greater willingness among the target group to accept interventions. Social workers and civil society actors recognised the benefits of collaborating, working together to solve individual cases.

‘This was a pilot project from which all parties involved can learn. The key to all types of social investment is to be ambitious and scale up what you are doing so that it does not stop at one project,” says Beatrice Amsenius.

The concept of keeping track of

Social sustainability is about creating a society in which everyone enjoys good living conditions, both now and in the future. This requires social investments, i.e. targeted initiatives that will result in long-term socio-economic gains.

Social investment funds involve setting aside funds for preventive measures that extend across administrative boundaries and financial years.

Another approach is outcome-based financing and collaboration, which is often in the form of social outcome contracts. In this model, the public sector pays in full or in part when predefined outcomes are achieved. Risk sharing can occur between public authorities, as well as with private and philanthropic partners.

Use-of-proceeds social instruments are relevant for private and public real estate companies. Kommuninvest's Social Sustainability Loans are one example of this. These loans finance projects linked to the built environment that meet specific requirements and commit to annual reporting.

Sustainability-linked loans and bonds involve linking the interest margin to the borrower's fulfilment of social objectives within a specified timeframe.

Beatrice Amsenius

Innovations- och processledare
+46 10 516 50 44 Read more about Beatrice
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Last published: Social sustainability in urban development

Solutions in Social innovation

Submitted by IdaB-admin on

RISE offers packaged solutions for organisations that want to develop social sustainability. Whether you need to evaluate area initiatives, design outcome contracts or build inclusive urban environments, here you will find the right support to create measurable and long-term value.

Social sustainability that can be measured and monitored in urban development

Submitted by IdaB-admin on
Social sustainability
People walking in the city

Segregation, exclusion and mental ill health characterise many neighbourhoods despite extensive efforts. Short-term initiatives, a lack of measurability and unclear objectives mean that resources do not have the desired effect. At the same time, there is often a lack of capacity for analysis and collaboration between different actors – which is necessary to solve complex social challenges. How do you know which initiatives actually work and create long-term value?

RISE helps you develop and evaluate solutions for social sustainability with a scientific basis and measurable results. We offer tools for inclusive urban development, evaluate area initiatives and develop KPIs to monitor effects. Through SHIC, we support municipalities in designing welfare solutions with a focus on preventive measures, social outcome contracts and cross-sectoral collaboration that deliver measurable results.

Social sustainability in urban development

Measurability and optimisation for increased human and social sustainability in cities

Short-term strategies, unclear objectives or a lack of incentives are common problems in urban and community development. We have broad expertise and several different methods for understanding and managing these challenges.

Would you like help with human or social sustainability in cities?
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Cities are growing and the housing shortage, however you measure it, is huge. Nonetheless, plans for new housing are often met with protests and appeals from those already living in a district. People feel that what today makes them feel comfortable in their district is threatened by urban development. So, is it possible to allow a district to grow while current residents maintain or increase their sense of well-being?
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Everything you need to know about social investments.

Many societal challenges are too large and complex to be solved by individual measures alone. This is where socially sustainable investments come into play. Those involved are 'tied to the mast', with funding linked to requirements for positive outcomes. But how can we ensure that these investments are as sustainable as possible?

Why RISE

01

SHIC

– Independent knowledge platform for welfare development with a focus on preventive measures, outcome contracts and cross-sectoral governance.
02

Measurability and evaluation

– Methods for monitoring and optimising the effects of measures on security, inclusion and well-being.
03

Inclusive urban development

– Training, cultural life analyses and tools to ensure that urban development meets local needs.
04

KPIs for social sustainability

– Standardised key performance indicators for housing development and management linked to sustainability reporting.
05

Temporary solutions and testing

– Small-scale initiatives for rapid evaluation before measures are made permanent.

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