Report based on the results of an online survey conducted via an interactive structured questionnaire. The link was sent to potential respondents from the database of the Kherson Community’s research online panel.
Research objective:
To explore how Kherson residents perceive the current state and prospects for community recovery in the areas of education, culture, and environmental protection.
Key Findings
EDUCATION
• In the field of education, there is a growing fatigue with дистанційного навчання (remote learning). Compared to 2024, the share of those who see no alternative to it has decreased by 13% (from 34% to 21%). People would like to diversify it at least partially through blended learning, education in safe locations, and individual and asynchronous formats. At the same time, 45% believe that remote learning should not be fully abandoned even under favorable security conditions.
• Regarding higher education, most respondents (55%) would prefer that Kherson retains the same number of universities as before the full-scale invasion. Another 20% are willing to “sacrifice” private institutions, and only 2% support merging all Kherson universities into a single institution.
• One-third (33%) of prospective Kherson applicants plan to enroll in Kherson-based universities. The main reasons include:
– proximity (43%)
– high quality of education (41%)
– availability of дистанційного навчання (26%)
The first reason may seem paradoxical, as all Kherson universities have been relocated, yet residents still consider geographical proximity an important factor.
CULTURE
• The survey shows that Kherson residents currently living in the city and those outside it perceive the mission of cultural institutions quite differently. Among those outside Kherson, there are 16% more respondents who believe that the primary role of cultural institutions should be to organize events outside the city to draw attention to it, rather than focusing on cultural life within the community.
• Theater remains the number one art form for Kherson residents. The restoration of theatrical life is a priority for 62% of respondents — an increase of 15% compared to last year. Additionally, 66% believe that theater should be the leading art form, and 77% think that a theater festival should be held after shelling stops (before 2022, Kherson hosted two such festivals — “Melpomene of Tavria” and “Liutyi Liutyi”).
• Furthermore, 89% of respondents support the idea of creating a museum in Kherson dedicated to the events of the full-scale Russia–Ukraine war. At the same time, 49% believe that one or several buildings destroyed by Russian forces should be preserved as a reminder of the war.
ENVIRONMENT
• One of the most pressing environmental issues is the current situation at the site of the former Kakhovka Reservoir. 83% of respondents expressed concern about it. Nearly half believe that the consequences of the destruction of the Kherson hydroelectric complex will be felt for more than ten years.
• Public opinion on the future of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant shifted significantly in April 2025. A majority now believe it should not be rebuilt in its previous form. Instead, new hydraulic structures should be created to avoid flooding such a vast territory. Currently, 65% support this approach. More than half of respondents also believe that a nature conservation area should be established on all or most of the former reservoir’s territory.
• Almost half (46%) of respondents noted that the number and area of protected natural sites in the Kherson region should be increased, particularly in areas that are currently unsafe for people.
This material was prepared by the Community Foundation of Kherson “Zakhyst” within the project “Voice of Kherson Residents for Community Resilience and Recovery,” implemented under the “Impulse” Project by the International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation, with financial support from Norway (Norad) and Sweden (Sida).
The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Renaissance Foundation, the East Europe Foundation, the Government of Norway, or the Government of Sweden.
