Held in Kyiv on August 27–28, the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils served as a platform for evaluating achievements, sharing experiences, and developing joint solutions for supporting and protecting IDPs and ensuring their voices are heard at both local and national levels.
A key theme of the discussions was the networking of IDP Councils and the creation of sustainable connections between them, alongside the need to support their capacity building and development.
Here are the overviews of the first and second days of the Forum.
The Forum in Numbers
- 342 participants, including 150 representatives from 103 IDP Councils of all levels and from all regions;
- 9 panel discussions, 4 research presentations, and 1 workshop with the participation of 58 speakers and moderators;
- 50 guests from various international organizations and institutions;
- 53 representatives from 23 non-governmental organizations.
Forum Objectives
- To develop joint solutions among representatives of the government, local self-government, IDP Councils, and national and international NGOs regarding the role of IDP Councils in integrating IDPs and engaging them in local and national policymaking;
- To discuss the development of the IDP Councils network across the country and to present the establishment of a nationwide coordinating body that unites all IDP Councils to strengthen their influence on decisions crucial for IDPs.
The Focus of the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils
Unity and coordination of the IDP Councils network across the country, building sustainable connections, and supporting the development of IDP Councils.
Participants
The Forum brought together 342 participants, including 150 representatives from 103 IDP Councils from all Ukrainian regions, representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the State Employment Center, other governmental bodies, Members of Parliament, members of the Inter-Factional Parliamentary Association “VPO of Ukraine,” representatives of local authorities, and NGOs supporting IDPs and cooperating with IDP Councils.
International organizations and institutions that attended the Forum: UNHCR, IOM, OCHA, UN Women, USAID, Danish Refugee Council, People in Need, HelpAge International, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Ukraine, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraine, the Embassy of Spain in Ukraine, the Embassy of France in Ukraine, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, the Embassy of Romania in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine, the Embassy of Indonesia in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ukraine, the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Ukraine, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, the University of Oxford, and others.
Key Speakers:
- Iryna Vereshchuk — Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories in 2021–2024;
- Matthew Johnson — Stabilization Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine;
- Karolina Lindholm Billing — Representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Ukraine;
- Uliana Bakh — Project Director at the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) in Ukraine;
- Sarah Elliott — Senior Community-Based Protection Officer at the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR);
- Tetiana Lomakina — Advisor and Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Accessibility;
- Uliana Tokarieva — Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine;
- Vasyl Lutsyk — Head of the National Social Service of Ukraine;
- Valeriia Vershynina — Executive Director of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”;
- Olha Ivanova — Program Director of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”.
Panel Discussions
Over the course of two days, the Forum hosted 9 panel discussions. The main theme was the formation and implementation of public policies in the areas of support and protection of internally displaced persons and the role of IDP Councils:
- “State Policy on Supporting and Protecting IDPs. IDP Councils as a Mechanism for Responding to Issues”;
- “Initial Results of IDP Councils’ Activities: Achievements, Successes, and New Challenges”;
- “Engaging Internally Displaced Persons: Regional and Global Experience”;
- “Providing Housing for IDPs: Impact and Engagement Mechanisms of IDP Councils”;
- “Combating Human Trafficking in Ukraine: Risks for IDPs and the Need for Involvement of IDP Councils”;
- “Inclusive and Accessible Environment for Diverse IDP Groups in Host Communities”;
- “Results of Cooperation between Relocated and Local Authorities through IDP Councils: Impact on Local Policies and Programs”;
- “Ensuring the Provision of Services, Assistance, and Social Support for IDPs”;
- “Promoting Employment of IDPs as a Prerequisite for Their Successful Integration into Communities”.
Research Presentations
The Forum featured 4 research presentations:
- “Study of Housing Policies and Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons at the Local Level”;
- “Promoting Employment of Displaced Women: Key Findings from a Comprehensive Survey and In-Depth Interviews on Community Integration”;
- “Report on Consultations with IDP Council Members on the Establishment of a Coordinating Body”;
- “Registry of Damages Caused by the Russian Federation’s Aggression Against Ukraine: Specifics of Applications from Internally Displaced Persons”.
Workshop
As part of the Forum, a workshop, “Monitoring the Activities and Evaluating the Effectiveness of IDP Councils: From Theory to Practice,” was held. Participants worked on the criteria for conducting such monitoring.
Forum Results
- The creation of the Congress of IDP Councils NGO was announced, and its founding documents were signed. The organization will coordinate the work of IDP Councils across the country. The main goal of the Congress of IDP Councils NGO is to unite over 800 IDP Councils to advocate for their rights and interests at the national level, develop a joint action plan, and strengthen their impact. You can learn more about this organization at the provided link.
- The workshop “Monitoring the Activities and Evaluating the Effectiveness of IDP Councils: From Theory to Practice ” resulted in the development of criteria for monitoring the activities and evaluating the effectiveness of IDP Councils.
Media about the Forum
“Voice of the Displaced: How IDP Councils Are Shaping the Future of Communities During the War” (Channel 24).
“The II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils Took Place in Kyiv: Results and Developments” (Gazeta.UA).
Read more about the work and developments of the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in the column by Valeriia Vershynina, Executive Director of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services,” for the online publication Rubryka: “A Year of Change and Achievements: How IDP Councils Impacted the Lives of Displaced People and Communities.”
The event was held by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine and with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).