From educational meetings for internally displaced persons to all-Ukrainian events, November was perhaps the busiest month for the team of the project, which supports the capacity of the social protection system. Here are the key results of our work.
Support for Communities and Social Protection Institutions
In November, we conducted:
- 16 seminars (topics: features of communication between social protection system employees and vulnerable population groups; provision of social services for IDPs based on the “money follows the person” principle; IDP living allowance per CMU Resolution No. 332 of March 20, 2022 (with amendments); social services and social entrepreneurship in Ukraine; collection, processing, storage, and ensuring the protection, confidentiality, and integrity of personal data while performing official duties);
- A training session on the basics of crisis counseling for social protection employees in Poltavska Oblast;
- 6 training sessions dedicated to working with the web portal of electronic services of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine (case management tool);
- 3 training sessions on the development of local target programs;
- Monitoring the status of five social protection institutions in Donetska and Dnipropetrovska Oblasts regarding their needs.
- 8 roundtables based on the results of work in communities within the project: social passports of communities and draft mid-term development plans for the social protection system at the local level were presented (based on public discussion results, relevant resolutions were adopted by city/settlement/village councils).
We conducted a seminar on communication with vulnerable population groups for social protection specialists from the Novoodesska community in Mykolaivska Oblast. Participants received practical recommendations on effective communication, particularly in high-emotion situations. The trainer primarily emphasized the importance of an individual approach, maintaining confidentiality, and creating a safe space for dialogue. According to the evaluation results, their awareness level increased by 65%.
The Ternopil regional project team held a seminar “Social Services in Ukraine and Social Entrepreneurship” for 50 representatives of social protection institutions and social service providers in Ternopilska Oblast. After the event, we received a request from two communities for support in implementing the tools presented during the seminar:
- Provision of expert and methodological support regarding the formation of the community social passport;
- Assistance in developing tools for the collection, systematization, and analysis of data necessary for updating social information;
- Assistance in conducting an assessment of the population’s needs for social services;
- Provide consultation support at all stages of work related to social support of the population and planning the development of the social sphere.
Thus, the seminar became not only an educational event but also a turning point in forming a new wave of cooperation between communities and the regional project team.
Also in November, we distributed 60 stationery kits to communities, supporting 16 social protection institutions.
Regional and All-Ukrainian Forums
In November, we organized three specialized forums for representatives of social protection institutions.
All-Ukrainian Forum of Social Change Leaders (November 6, Kyiv)
During the forum, representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, the Parliament, regional administrations, international organizations, and the civil society sector agreed on a joint vision for social policy: a transition from short-term aid to a support system for Ukrainians built on principles of trust, partnership, and mutual accountability.
The forum “The Social Sphere During Wartime: Regional Experience, Challenges, and Prospects” for Lvivska Oblast Communities (November 7, Lviv)
The event was attended by representatives of state bodies, local self-government, non-governmental organizations, and international partners working to strengthen the social resilience of communities. Discussions focused on successful practices of organizing social service provision in Lvivska Oblast communities during the war.
Southern Ukrainian Forum “Cities of Solidarity” for Communities of Mykolaivska, Odeska, and Khersonska Oblasts (November 27–28, Odesa)
The two-day forum united participants from government bodies, international organizations, social services, and the civil society sector — everyone working with IDPs, the elderly, people with disabilities, and families in difficult life circumstances. Southern communities are sharing solutions to ensure that people can receive support and live with dignity in their current locations. For the forum, we created a video about the social adaptation service implemented through the University of the Third Age (U3A).
Support for IDP Councils
In November, we conducted:
- Strategic sessions for 6 IDP Councils;
- 9 events for coordination of IDP Councils’ work, mentoring support (participation in IDP Council meetings; monitoring studies of Council work);
- 7 training sessions and workshops for capacity building of IDP Councils (topics: community experience in resolving IDP housing issues and the role of the IDP Council in this process; influence of the IDP Council on improving support for displaced persons; analysis and evaluation of local target programs regarding the consideration and satisfaction of IDP needs).
- 4 events within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence awareness-raising campaign;
- An online training for new members of IDP Councils (watch the recording on our YouTube channel);
- An online session for experience exchange between IDP Councils from Ukraine and Refugee Councils from Moldova.
With the support of the regional team in Rivnenska Oblast and in cooperation with the IDP Council of the Ostroh City Council, we conducted a local advocacy. As a result, city council deputies adopted the decision “On Approval of the Program for Providing Temporary Housing to Internally Displaced Persons in the Ostroh City Territorial Community for 2026–2028.”
III All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils (November 14–15, Kyiv)
The forum gathered representatives from the Office of the President of Ukraine, the government, the Verkhovna Rada, local authorities, international organizations, donor structures, and representatives of IDP Councils working in communities across the country. The program was built around three strategic directions: influence, sustainable development, and partnership. During the forum, our Foundation presented the Declaration of Intent “Sustainable and Quality Reconstruction: Involving Councils on Internally Displaced Persons in the Reconstruction Process.”
Support for IDPs
We conducted 9 educational and awareness-raising meetings for IDPs (topics: Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U) and opportunities for IDPs and the affected population; compensation for damaged and destroyed housing; use of housing certificates for destroyed housing; state financial guarantees for medical care).
Legal Consultations
During November, our legal team provided 1,135 consultations. Among the most relevant inquiries were housing issues, social payments and pensions, living allowances, and document restoration.
As of the publication date, the project has concluded the provision of legal consultations in 2025.
We will continue to support the improvement of the social protection system in target communities. All these initiatives are made possible thanks to the Support to the Capacity of Government Institutions and Local Communities to Strengthen Social Protection Systems in Ukraine project, which is being implemented with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.