World Refugee Day, celebrated annually on June 20, is an occasion to once again draw attention to the stories of those who have lost their homes but not their strength and dignity. In Ukraine, this topic has become particularly poignant: the war has forced millions of people to leave their homes and seek refuge.
We are convinced that assisting internally displaced persons is not only about resolving humanitarian issues but also about supporting their cohesion and integration into new communities. To strengthen the capacity of the IDP Councils, which advocate for the rights of displaced persons at the local level, we held a series of educational events for them. The focus was on support, dialogue, and enhancing the role of IDPs in the life of communities.
In Zaporizhzhia, a round table titled “From Loss to Participation” was held. Participants discussed how people who have experienced forced displacement found the strength to act and support others. The spotlight was on the potential of IDPs as agents of change and the role of government and the civil society sector in integration.
“We learned about the valuable experience of IDP Councils from communities in the region regarding partnership with authorities and charitable organizations. Such meetings help unite IDP Councils, establish communication, expand contacts, and strengthen cooperation, which inspires new achievements,” shared Olena Kudiienko, head of the IDP Council under the Dolynske Village Council.
A particularly emotional project was the Human Library. Participants brought two items — one they took with them during evacuation, and another symbolizing their new life in the community. The personal stories told by the displaced persons became living testaments to the realities of war.
“The meeting brought together people united by a common tragedy — the loss of their homes and the traumatic events of war. Therefore, we not only discussed problems but also shared memories, even cried, and then analyzed the experience of integrating into new communities. Such meetings show that we are not alone, and that war is a tragedy for everyone,” said Nataliia Denysenko, head of the IDP Council under the Novooleksandrivka Village Council.
We supported a photo exhibition titled “New Faces of the Community: Stories of Invincibility” in Kalush, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast. The exhibition brought together 20 photographs and the life stories of the city’s new residents.
In Berehove, Zakarpatska Oblast, the documentary film Jamala’s Struggle was screened, followed by a discussion on the experience of internal displacement.
In Mykolaiv, examples of successful initiatives by displaced persons were presented. The meeting participants planned an awareness campaign to raise awareness about the rights and needs of IDPs and overcome stereotypes in this area.
In Kremenets, Ternopilska Oblast, members of the IDP Council shared their experiences of how the Councils facilitate the integration of displaced persons into communities. They also created a joint installation, “Tree of Hope,” symbolizing the strength of the community and the hope that each person carries within. Participants wrote wishes for Ukraine, their community, or personal dreams, and attached them to the branches.
One of the key activities in Dubno, Romny, and Chernihiv was the board game “At The Crossroads.” During the game, participants played the “Life of a Ukrainian Refugee” scenario, which recreates the difficult path of seeking refuge in another country.
In total, our regional teams conducted 24 activities across 23 oblasts.
We support the IDP Councils through the Support to the Capacity of Government Institutions and Local Communities to Strengthen Social Protection Systems in Ukraine project, implemented with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.
