The Central Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils is the second interregional event in 2025, dedicated to the further development of IDP Councils, taking into account new challenges and regional specifics. The event was attended by representatives of councils from Kirovohradska, Poltavska, Kyivska, Zhytomyrska, Cherkaska, and Vinnytska oblasts. The forum helped participants rethink their own experiences, build partnerships, and model long-term solutions to work together more effectively.
Goal of the Forum
- To facilitate the exchange of experience, raise awareness, and jointly develop ideas to strengthen the capacity and role of IDP councils in ensuring the integration of IDPs into host communities;
- To develop mechanisms for removing barriers faced by IDPs when exercising their rights and freedoms.
Participants
The Central Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils was attended by 96 participants. Among them were representatives of 32 IDP Councils, oblast military administrations, local state authorities and local self-government bodies, non-governmental civic and international organizations.
Key Speakers:
- Iryna Vereshchuk — Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine;
- Valeriia Vershynina— Executive Director of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”;
- Volodymyr Melnyk — Associate Protection Advisor at UNHCR;
- Natalia Zabolotna — First Deputy Head of the Vinnytska Oblast Military Administration;
- Illia Khadzhynov — Head of the IDP Council under the Vinnytska Oblast Military Administration.
Panel Discussions
Two panel discussions took place during the forum:
- “From Promotion to Impact: How IDP Councils Influence Government Decisions? Successful Cases of Advocacy Campaigns and Communication With Authorities: What Exactly Helped to Achieve Success?”;
- “Involving IDPs and Local Residents in Active Cooperation and Participation in the Work of IDP Councils”.
Workshop “The Territory of the Future of IDP Councils — 2027”
Group work and interactive methods helped participants form a strategic vision for the further development of IDP councils. Attendees also highlighted key development vectors and defined a list of practical steps to implement the first changes.
Presentation of the IDP Councils Portal
During the forum, the online platform for IDP councils, IDP Councils Portal, was presented. This is an online resource providing access to educational and methodological materials, legislative updates, relevant news, and an interactive map with key information about each IDP Council. The platform enhances the Councils’ visibility and contributes to their development.
Mini-Workshop “How to Present Your IDP Council in 3 Minutes”
During the event, participants improved their skills in presenting IDP Councils, analyzed key challenges, and received constructive feedback from colleagues and experts.
Game Quest “How an IDP Council Can Support Internally Displaced Persons”
The team at the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” developed the game to help IDP council members understand how the decision-making process works in a community, explore various scenario developments, anticipate the potential consequences of managerial decisions, and build skills in cooperation, argumentation, and compromise.
Forum Results
- Practical proposals and recommendations for implementation during IDP Council activities were developed.
- It was proposed to strengthen advocacy at the local level: housing, social programs, access to services, and a vacancy register for IDPs.
Media About the Forum
- Central Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils Held in Vinnytska Oblast (Novyny Vinnytsi)
- Interregional Forum of IDP Councils Held in Vinnytsia (24 Vinnytsia)
The event was held by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.