The West Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils, which took place in Lviv on October 3-4, featured:
- Two days of in-person discussions, experience sharing, and idea exchanges;
- Around 100 participants from 8 oblasts of Ukraine;
- Five discussion panels and workshops.
The Forum focused on the most pressing issues — employment, housing, social services, and integrating IDPs into new communities — exploring ways to overcome these challenges together through cooperation among local authorities, civil society, and the IDPs themselves.
“It is important for people who join IDP Councils to share experiences and learn from each other. Sometimes an idea may seem good, but after learning from the experience of another community, you realize that it does not work. That is why coordination between regions and communities is important. This is how we can implement effective policies during the war and in the future.” stated Valeriia Vershynina, Executive Director of the CF “Stabilization Support Services.”
According to Maryna Krasnopolska, a protection advisor at the UNHCR Lviv Field Office, the value of IDP Councils lies in their role in enabling displaced people to fully participate in the civic life of the communities where they currently reside.
“In this way, people regain the initiative and the ability to influence community life through local advocacy and involvement in local policy-making. Supporting IDP Councils is a priority for UNHCR, as they give the displaced community a full voice in host communities, and the communities themselves become more inclusive and resilient in overcoming challenges.”
The most critical issues for IDPs were discussed in a World Café format. Participants formed three groups that addressed housing, employment, and social protection for IDPs.
“Each group had its own topic, and then changed it and moved to another table to complement the work of their colleagues. We worked hard, made suggestions and recommendations, and then presented the results of our work,” shared Oksana Yakovets, Regional Coordinator of the CF “Stabilization Support Services” in Lvivska Oblast.
Anzhela Babkina, Deputy Chair of the IDP Council in Uzhhorod, discussed the regional aspects of IDP Council activities in the west of Ukraine.
“The first feature of IDP Councils in 8 western oblasts is that they work in relative safety. The second aspect is the large number of IDPs. It is not just people who relocate, but also civil society organizations and businesses. Therefore, communities should make the most of this resource to become better. And the third aspect is that the evacuation is ongoing, and there are practically no places to settle people, so we have to look for joint solutions and distribute resources evenly,” Anzhela Babkina emphasized.
The West Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils also served as a platform to align the future work of the Congress of IDP Councils. During a workshop, participants discussed the structure, functions, and goals of this coordinating body.
This event was held by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the financial support of the United Nations Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR).
