The central objective of our project, “Supporting the Capacity of the Social Protection System to Register Internally Displaced Persons”, is to enhance the quality of social services and broaden their accessibility for IDPs nationwide.
Throughout May, we arranged numerous events for communities, inclusive of both IDPs and social protection system employees. Here’s an overview of our accomplishments.
Social Passport Development Workshops
We’ve been actively supporting communities in their efforts to revise and develop social passports. In the past month, our regional teams organized 12 workshops related to this subject across 8 oblasts: Vinnytska, Zhytomyrska, Zakarpatska, Kyivska, Lvivska, Poltavska, Cherkaska, and Chernivetska oblasts.
Uliana Hanusiak, head of the ASC department in Novoyavorivsk, Lvivska Oblast, asserts, “We’ve come to realize the significance of possessing a community passport — it’s akin to an identity card. Moreover, we’re currently handling numerous grant proposals.”
Nadiya Kozak, starosta of urban-type settlement Shklo and the villages of Solyhy and Stadnyky, adds, “Our community’s greatest asset and wealth are its people. It would be advantageous to have extensive knowledge about our community. Presently, we should turn our attention to supporting women and their businesses.”
Trainings for Social Protection Institutions
Across 9 oblasts — Donetska, Zhytomyrska, Zaporizka, Kyivska, Kirovohradska, Luhanska, Lvivska, Khmelnytska, and Chernivetska — we conducted 10 trainings tailored for social protection institutions. Subjects such as registration and provision of social services to IDPs, compensation for destroyed and damaged property, tackling professional burnout, and more were covered. Coordinating meetings with the institution heads were also conducted.
Educational Events for IDPs and Affected Individuals
We organized 29 educational activities aimed at IDPs and individuals affected by the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Topics such as compensation for destroyed property, labor and social rights, social protection of IDPs, and restoration of lost documents were explored in depth through webinars and trainings.
Viktoriya Katarhina, head of the Fond Dopomohy VPO NGO (IDP Assistance Fund) and a participant in the training in Stryi, Lvivska Oblast, said, “Thank you for a comprehensive explanation. The issue of repayment of a loan taken for a car no longer in possession is particularly pertinent for me. The information on registering an IDP lacking the necessary documents for unemployment status was informative.”
Support for the Establishment and Operation of IDP Councils
Our commitment to providing mentorship to initiative groups for the creation of IDP Councils and to newly established Councils remains steadfast. This year alone, we’ve aided in the formation of 17 IDP Councils in targeted communities across 8 oblasts.
An IDP from Bakhmut and participant of the meeting in Nadvirnianska community in Ivano-Frankivska Oblast expressed, “I truly desire such an IDP Council to be operational so that our voices can be heard by the authorities. We feel welcomed in this community, and my family doesn’t wish to return to Bakhmut. But we need assistance to live and work here. I wholeheartedly support this initiative.”
In addition to our coordination efforts, we’ve also organized events to promote gender mainstreaming in IDP councils. For instance, an anti-discrimination game, “Being a Woman,” was conducted in Boyarka, Kyivska Oblast.
Other events were specifically designed to involve the youth in IDP councils.
Yuliya Vashunina, a university student in Chernihiv, reflects, “The issues that affect me often differ from those that concern my parents. It would be wonderful if the youth could shed light on their issues and influence their resolution.”
Legal Aid
Our project’s legal team provided legal assistance in 543 cases concerning social protection institutions. Moreover, 2,114 IDPs and affected individuals received legal advice.
Partner Collaborations
Our regional teams had the opportunity to interact with partner organizations, which included representatives from UNHCR regional offices, the Proliska Humanitarian Mission, Kherson Neskorenyi NGO, Kovel City Center for Free Secondary Healthcare, Platforma Spilnykh Diy Integration Hub, International Organization for Migration, Cherkasy Regional Red Cross Society of Ukraine, Desiate Kvitnia NGO, UNDP, Stan NGO, and Kharkiv — Protection Cluster.
We are committed to continued efforts to improve the social protection system in local communities across all oblasts of Ukraine. Our initiatives are implemented with the support of the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.