The two-day event took place on October 17-18, attracting over 100 participants.
Representatives from six regions, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Luhansk, and Donetsk, gathered at the forum.
Attendees included members of state and local authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the IDP Councils themselves. The forum was opened by Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
“Our Forum of IDP Councils is expanding across Ukraine; we are uniting and seeking new paths and directions for cooperation. I am here today to listen to you. We are open, ready to work, and stand together side by side. While we can hold many forums, the situation will not advance without practical implementation of ideas and practices on site,” Iryna Vereshchuk said.
The Poltava Region has become the first in Ukraine to establish IDP Councils in all its communities and has the largest number of councils in Ukraine. Currently, over 180,000 IDPs reside in the region, with housing being their primary concern. To address this issue, a pilot project has been launched in Poltava to re-purpose obsolete heritage properties for those forced to leave their homes. According to Iryna Vereshchuk, this model has the potential to be scaled up nationwide.
The forum also served as a platform for IDP Councils to communicate, share their activities, and learn about the work of their peers.
“IDP Councils are a testament to the resilience of IDPs themselves. They help develop programs for those in need of support. There are no easy solutions in this work. We must all learn and do our best to make what has been ineffective for years finally work. I am grateful to each and every one of you involved in this important work,” Valeriia Vershynina, Charitable Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, said.
“The value of IDP Councils lies in their facilitation of full participation of internally displaced people in community life, making communities more resilient and inclusive,” Federico Sersale, Head of Sub Office, UNHCR Dnipro, says.
“Ukraine sets an example for the world by ensuring meaningful participation of IDPs in public life. UNHCR and our partners will continue to support IDP Councils with training, mentoring, and resources. During the forum, I observed engagement, heard innovative ideas, and witnessed constructive discussions. These events truly provide opportunities for sharing experiences and enhancing coordination,” Federico Sersale said.
The Forum featured speakers, panel discussions, and workshops focusing on cooperation between local authorities and the public sector, as well as the experiences of IDP Councils in addressing the challenges faced by IDPs. One of the most pressing issues discussed was housing.
“The Poltava Region has mobilized all available dormitories to accommodate people. IDPs continue to arrive, making the housing issue particularly urgent. This led to the most vibrant discussions,” Oksana Luhova, Regional Coordinator of Charitable Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in Poltava Region, said.
Additionally, the Eastern Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils outlined the future directions of the Congress of IDP Councils. The foundational documents were signed at the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in August. During the workshops, participants discussed the functions and goals of this NGO and submitted applications for membership.
The event was organized by the Charitable Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with financial support from the UNHCR Ukraine.
