The inaugural All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils, which took place in Kyiv from November 1 to 3, centered on the protection of rights for nearly 5 million internally displaced persons, their integration into communities, and international best practices.
This major event drew close to 500 attendees and served as a platform for dialogue among IDP representatives, state officials, civil society, and international organizations.
Government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, local authorities, IDP Council members, numerous civil society and non-governmental organizations, and 58 international guests participated in the panel discussions.
The Forum was inaugurated by Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister for the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.
She pointed out that Ukraine faced an unprecedented challenge the previous year. No other country had experienced such a massive displacement of people in such a short span of time, yet Ukraine handled this situation. The current state of affairs with internally displaced persons is relatively stable.
The minister expressed gratitude to the regional authorities, international partners, and civil society for their on-the-ground efforts in addressing the needs of the IDPs.
“2023 is the year where our accumulated experience has become foundational for policy documents, specifically for the Strategy of State Policy on Internal Displacement and its implementation plan. Our pillars in the regions are the local authorities and civil society. Thanks to them, the government understands the needs of the IDPs in various regions. We also take into consideration the perspectives of our international partners, without whom aiding IDPs would be much more challenging. Based on these inputs, we shape our national policy regarding internally displaced persons,” remarked Iryna Vereshchuk.
Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UNHCR Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, civil society, and international organizations assisting IDPs.
“This event was organized by a dedicated team aiming to improve the situation of IDPs, their inclusion in host communities and decision-making processes. Displaced individuals should not face discrimination and deserve full participation in civic life. Over 500 IDP Councils in Ukraine is a remarkable achievement. Our collective goal now is to ensure their operations are effective,” stated Karolina Lindholm Billing.
Matthew Johnson, Stabilization Advisor at the US Embassy in Ukraine, delved deeper into the emergence of IDP Councils as tools for integrating IDPs into communities. He reminded attendees that, with the support of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and IREX, the first IDP Councils in Ukraine were established even before the full-scale Russian invasion, and this successful pilot initiative later received an extension.
“Today, the IDP Councils have become an integral part of the national strategy for the integration of IDPs, a priority in our activities, and a significant achievement for the Ukrainian government and civil society. As a result of the active work of these IDP Councils, we can see that the concerns and needs of IDPs are taken into account at the highest level,” stated Matthew Johnson.
Valeriya Vershynina, Head of the Board of Directors of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services,” noted that in just a year, 500 new IDP Councils have been established in Ukraine. These advisory bodies assist both the IDPs and the communities that host them.
“Thanks to the IDP Councils, communities that accept IDPs can become stronger. Likewise, the IDPs can have a choice — either to live without interacting with the community and dream of returning home or to embrace a new life, integrate, and leverage their experiences and opportunities in their new community,” highlighted Valeriya Vershynina.
During the panel discussion titled “Participation of IDPs in Shaping Future Policy,” Uliana Bakh, Project Director at IREX in Ukraine, emphasized the crucial role of youth.
“We must think of the future, and it is vital to engage with the younger generation to ensure children grow up as active citizens capable of influencing their futures through engagement with authorities. As part of the United Voices in Action project, we are implementing a youth program in fourteen Ukrainian communities, focusing on both IDPs and local teenagers. They work together, learning to design and implement essential projects while also mastering skills in analysis and teamwork,” shared Uliana Bakh.
Throughout the Forum’s panel discussions, strategic sessions, and presentations, participants discussed the effective state policy for supporting and integrating IDPs, enhancing services for displaced persons in communities, and future plans for the operation of IDP Councils, ensuring their effective and independent operation.
On the third day, an informal exhibition named “Your Strength – Striving for Victory” took place, organized by the IREX in Ukraine and the Opportunities Fair. The event featured a forum performance called “In the Circle” with interactive discussions as part of the United Voices in Action. Additionally, there was networking with various Ukrainian charitable organizations, where they shared their achievements and experiences with each other.
The Forum was attended by 157 representatives of all IDP Councils from 24 oblasts of Ukraine. They reiterated that no one but the IDPs themselves knows best what the IDPs need and how to solve their problems and expedite the provision of assistance. In this regard, the local authorities were initially guided by the experience of people who had been displaced back in 2014. The new IDP Councils can become a powerful driving force for change.
The decisions of the IDP Councils are not legally binding, yet some thought should be given to how to encourage the authorities to respond to these decisions and how to make the Councils a truly capable body. One of the tools that can contribute to the effectiveness of their work is monitoring the implementation of the recommendations provided by the Councils to local authorities. This was emphasized by representatives of the regional IDP Councils.
The Forum’s outcomes will be reflected in a concluding resolution, which participants and partners are finalizing this week.
The event was held by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories and with the support of the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR) and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). Its contents are the sole responsibility of the CF “Stabilization Support Services” and do not necessarily reflect the views of the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR) and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).
