The II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils commenced on August 27 in Kyiv. The event will span two days, addressing urgent issues and advocating for the rights of nearly 5 million people. According to the Ministry of Social Policy, this is the current number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine.
IDP Councils are associations of thousands of proactive displaced persons across Ukraine. These Councils serve as a platform for interaction between local authorities, IDPs, and other community residents. They are a powerful tool for influencing local policies.
The first day of the Forum, which brought together nearly 300 participants—including government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of the civil society sector, international organizations, and IDPs themselves—focused on discussing the detailed work of the Councils.
Currently, 25 oblast-level Councils, 114 raion-level Councils, and 730 local councils have been established in Ukraine, numbering 869 IDP Councils overall. “This is a significant achievement,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, who opened the Forum.
“The people involved in IDP Councils are professional, motivated, and dedicated. You believe in what you do, and you believe in your teams. This is why we already see results. Today, nearly 5 million internally displaced persons in the country are counting on the support of the IDP Councils, the government, the president, and the parliament. They want us to tackle these challenges together, and we will!” Vereshchuk emphasized.
“Strong communities are vital for the well-being of people and the resilience of Ukraine, and this is impossible without the active involvement of displaced persons in community life,” noted Matthew Johnson, Stabilization Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. He added that Russia’s attacks aim to divide Ukrainians, while the IDP Councils provide a platform for interaction between local authorities, displaced persons, and other residents. Together, they can address urgent issues.
“The U.S. supports IDPs, particularly through USAID programs and partners like UNHCR, IREX, and Stabilization Support Services. Recently, partners launched the United Voices in Action 2.0 project. The focus of this new program is to empower IDPs to become leaders in building unity within their communities. The program aims to support the integration of IDPs, allowing them to contribute to the overall recovery of Ukraine,” Johnson highlighted.
Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR’s Representative in Ukraine, emphasized that leadership at all levels—from the government to local authorities and IDPs themselves—enabled the establishment of over 800 IDP Councils. This not only facilitates the integration of displaced persons into communities but also aids in the development of the communities themselves.
“For UNHCR, the establishment of IDP Councils is an example and experience that we are sharing with other countries. We know that most displaced Ukrainians hope to return home. But as long as that remains impossible for many due to Russian attacks, our task is to work together. We must ensure that IDPs have equal rights and provide communities with the opportunities to fully utilize the knowledge and skills of their new residents,” she stressed.
The Forum will serve as a platform for analyzing achievements, exchanging experiences, and discussing the urgent issues facing displaced persons. Uliana Bakh, Project Director at the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) in Ukraine, is confident of this. According to her, IDP Councils represent unity and resilience. This is a demonstration of Ukrainian strength that gives us faith in victory. The name of the program—United Voices in Action—underscores its importance.
“For IREX, the development and support of IDP Councils is one of the key areas of work. We were there at the inception of the first Councils and are glad that this tool has evolved into a powerful movement, an effective mechanism supported by the state. We will continue to promote the development of IDP Councils and work with communities to help them understand how valuable a resource displaced persons can be,” Uliana Bakh emphasized.
Valeriya Vershynina, Executive Director of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”, thanked the representatives of communities and IDP Councils who came to discuss how to improve life in communities and address pressing issues, particularly regarding housing and employment.
“Despite the ongoing military aggression that has lasted for 10 years, we must begin building a future in a country where, I hope, there will no longer be discrimination against IDPs. A country where there will be better understanding of the challenges faced by those affected by the war. Where we will not divide ourselves based on categories, but rather help based on need,” Vershynina noted.
A new body, the Congress of IDP Councils, will now coordinate the work of hundreds of Councils, assist them in learning, and facilitate experience sharing. Valeriya Vershynina announced the creation of an initiative group for the establishment of the Congress during one of the panel discussions. The idea for this coordinating body was born last year during the First All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils, and it has now gained support and will be implemented.
The event was organized by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the Ministry for the Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, with support from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Ukraine and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX in Ukraine).
