At the All-Ukrainian Forum of Social Change Leaders, which recently took place in Kyiv, representatives of the Ministry, Parliament, regional administrations, international organizations, and civil society agreed on a shared vision for social policy: a transition from short-term assistance to a system of support for Ukrainians based on the principles of trust, partnership, and mutual responsibility.
This was stated by Valeriia Vershynina, executive director of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”: “The forum focuses on practical models of work, not declarations. We are talking about the integration of IDPs not as ‘assistance,’ but as a path to economic independence. We are talking about social protection for children — from national policy to concrete community action. We are talking about human capital as a state priority, not a social burden. And we are talking about social cohesion as a tool for the return of Ukrainians and the restoration of communities.”
The All-Ukrainian Forum of Social Leaders was a landmark shift in Ukraine’s approach to social policy. It transformed discussions about assistance into discussions about recovery, independence, and human dignity.
“For the first time since the team was updated, the Ministry has brought together all the key players in one place — from parliament to communities. This is not about sharing experiences, but about aligning the vision between key players: what exactly is being done, who is responsible, and what changes we expect,” says Valeriia Vershynina.
Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, also supported the new approach, emphasizing that the main goal of the updated social policy is to support people: “Social policy is not just a set of benefits and payments, but a path to supporting people. Everyone who implements such approaches at their level, in their community, is a true leader of social change.”
International partners have also emphasized the importance of this approach. According to Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, representative of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, systematic social support should be a priority: “Social work is often underestimated, but it is the most important because it supports people on the ground every day. At UNHCR, we prioritize the social protection system at all levels in response to the challenges caused by the war.”
The forum served as a starting point for collaborative work on updating the country’s social system. Its result is a new culture of interaction, where the government, communities, and partners act as a team.
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The forum was organized by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine and the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.
