The Organization will coordinate the activities of IDP Councils across Ukraine.
In October 2024, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine confirmed the registration of the public organization Congress of IDP Councils, initiated by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, which has actively supported IDP Councils since 2019. The Organization primarily aims to unite more than 800 IDP Councils registered in Ukraine as of October 2024, advocating for their rights and interests on a national level, developing a joint action plan, and strengthening their influence
It is crucial for IDP Councils to understand their roles, share best practices, collaboratively develop proposals for local programmes, contribute to national legislation, maintain a unified methodology, and engage in mutual cooperation. A key task of the new organization will be assisting Councils in addressing these issues. Congress of IDP Councils will provide advisory support, engage partners in cooperation, and conduct training. Planned activities for next year include developing a training programme and establishing an information and training web portal.
The establishment of the Organization represents a natural progression for the network of IDP Councils, which currently operate autonomously, focusing on local community issues with limited inter-council interaction. Until now, no centralised body has existed to unite the Councils or offer a cohesive development and action plan. Over the past two years, CF SSS has taken steps toward fulfilling this role: by conducting regular training sessions for the Councils, mapping their activities, organizing interregional and national forums for IDP Councils. The Foundation’s team has successfully held eight such forums, bringing together around 2,000 participants and driving further Councils’ development. At the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils, held in August in Kyiv, the Foundation officially announced the establishment of the public organization Congress of IDP Councils and signed its constituent documents. The Organization’s founders include heads and members of regional IDP Councils, with membership open to representatives from Councils at various levels.
To draw up the constituent documents for the new organization, CF SSS conducted consultations with the public and IDP Councils throughout the year, resulting in the drafting of the Organization’s Charter. These meetings were held to ensure the quality of the document and to take into account the opinions of the Councils. The newly established organization will unite IDP Councils, strengthen their influence on local policies and programmes, and, as a result, amplify the voice of IDPs and migrants, driving necessary changes for integrating IDPs into new communities.
Councils on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP Councils) are advisory bodies that initiate improvements and implement regional policies to ensure and protect the rights and interests of IDPs, first conceptualised by CF SSS in 2019, with the establishment of five initial Councils. As of October 2024, there are over 800 IDP Councils in Ukraine, with their locations available on the IDP Councils Map page.
The activities supporting IDP Councils are facilitated by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with funding from the United Nations Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR).