An effective social protection system begins with a deep understanding of the needs of community residents. A social passport helps collect and analyze key data to make informed decisions aimed at developing the social services system.
In the fifth installment of our special project, we share the successes of the Nedoboyivska, Monastyryshchenska, and Lubenska communities, achieved through the updating of their social passports.Our Support for the Communities in 2023–2024
- Studied the accessibility and quality of social services available in the communities.
- Conducted workshops for social system workers and local authorities on compiling social passports.
- Updated and designed social passports.
- Helped develop medium-term plans for the development of the social protection system.
A social passport is an identity document containing information about the community’s resources and social characteristics that enables an assessment of the community’s potential.
Experience of the Nedoboyivska Community (Chernivetska Oblast)
Results achieved by communities after research and development of the documents:
- The establishment of the Municipal Enterprise Center for Social Services in the Nedoboyivska community has been advocated. The institution was officially created by a session decision.
- An agreement was signed on the provision of social services between the Nedoboyivska Village Council and the Center for Social Services of the Khotyn City Council, temporarily ensuring that community residents receive necessary services.
- An analytical report was compiled on the quality and accessibility of social services in the community. This report was presented to key community leaders: the head, the community secretary, all starostas, and the heads of the finance and investment attraction departments.
- A medium-term Plan for the Development of the Social Protection System was developed.
- Cooperation was established among institutions providing social services.
- To improve the quality of social services, modern office equipment and a year’s supply of stationery were provided to the Department of Social Protection and the Municipal Enterprise Center for Social Services.
- Collaboration with the Nedoboyivska community has become a vivid example in Chernivetska Oblast of effective and productive interaction between the community and the CO SSS in improving the quality and accessibility of social services. Social services have become a priority for the community leadership.
Snizhana Rodosiychuk, Secretary of the Nedoboyivtsi Village Council:
“The establishment of the Center for Social Services in the Nedoboyivska community is an important step in the development of the community’s social sector and the improvement of residents’ quality of life. The assistance and methodological support from the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” at all stages were crucial and very timely — just like the provision of computer equipment for equipping workplaces.”
Experience of the Monastyryshchenska Community (Cherkaska Oblast)
Results achieved by communities after research and development of the documents:
- A Comprehensive Program for IDP Support for 2024–2027 was developed.
- The areas of work of the IDP Council were expanded.
- Free meals for children of internally displaced persons were arranged.
- The list of social services available to IDPs was expanded.
- Project and cost documentation for the reconstruction of an unfinished hospital building into a multi-apartment residential complex were developed.
- A Strategy for the Development of the Community’s Social Protection System for 2024–2026 was created.
- The financing of social services through budget reallocations and the attraction of additional resources were optimized.
- Computer equipment in local administrative offices (starostats) was updated.
Zoriana Zavorotna, Deputy Mayor of the Monastyryshchenska Community:
“The community’s social passport has become an effective tool for shaping the community’s image and managing local development. Cooperation within the project has helped the community find new partners, expand the range of social services, and improve the computer equipment of starostats through grant projects and international technical assistance.
Overall, with the support of the CO SSS team, many beneficial changes have been implemented in the Monastyryshchenska community — particularly improving the management structure of social protection services and making social services more accessible to both local residents and IDPs.”
Experience of the Lubenska Community (Poltavska Oblast)
Results achieved by communities after research and development of the documents:
- A Plan for the Development of the Social Protection System was developed.
- A mechanism for interagency cooperation among institutions working to prevent domestic violence and support families in difficult life circumstances was approved.
- Training for social protection specialists, social service providers, and local government representatives was conducted.
Viktor Shcherbak, Head of the Social Protection Department of the Lubny City Council Executive Committee:
“The social passport gives us a clear understanding of how we can improve services and support the most vulnerable populations. This is just the beginning, and together we continue to work towards the development and well-being of our community. I sincerely thank everyone for their contribution to creating the Interagency Cooperation Framework. This document is a significant step toward improving the social service system, ensuring prompt and high-quality responses to the needs of our citizens. Together, we can successfully implement it, enhancing the level of support and protection for vulnerable groups.”
The social passports we helped update are available here: bit.ly/4ggkSi5
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.
The information is current as of March 6, 2025.