In 2024, the project team continued working across Ukraine’s entire territory (excluding temporarily occupied areas).
The key goal of the project is to help the social protection system restore stable operations following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As part of the project, we upgraded technical equipment and provided advisory and methodological support to strengthen the capacity of 137 social protection institutions. By enhancing community resilience and building the capacity of IDP Councils, we helped the social protection system respond more effectively to challenges caused by internal displacement.
PROJECT GOALS FOR 2024:
- Strengthen the organizational capacity of the Ombudsman’s Office.
- Provide institutional support to social protection institutions.
- Offer advisory and methodological support to social institution employees.
- Provide advisory and informational support to internally displaced persons (IDPs), individuals who have returned to their permanent residences in Ukraine after forced displacement within the country or abroad due to the war, as well as other war-affected individuals regarding their rights and available services.
- Advocate for laws and policies beneficial to IDPs, individuals who have returned to their permanent residences in Ukraine after forced displacement within the country or abroad due to the war, and other war-affected individuals.
- Develop and support the capacity of IDP Councils.
- Support communities in updating social passports and implementing plans for developing the social protection system.
- Promote long-term solutions for social housing for IDPs.
PROJECT TEAM
More than 140 people worked on the project across 24 oblasts — regional coordinators, lawyers, social specialists, and the central office team in Kyiv.
KEY RESULTS
EQUIPPING 120 WORKSPACES FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS
As part of the project, we identified institutions most in need of equipment upgrades, procured, and delivered the necessary tools. In 2024, we upgraded 120 workspaces and provided:
- 237 multifunction devices (MFDs);
- 120 cartridges for MFDs;
- 399 laptops;
- 146 uninterruptible power supplies;
- 4 SSD drives and 2 routers;
- 144 sets of office supplies (pens, paper, folders, binders, etc.);
- 375 packs of A4 paper;
- Equipment, furniture, and renovation materials for the Ternopiska Oblast Center for Social Services (24 items).
286 TRICYCLES FOR TERRITORIAL CENTERS
In some communities, social workers must travel 15–20 kilometers one way to reach elderly individuals living alone, people with disabilities, or those in difficult life circumstances. Their mission is to deliver food, medicine, clothing, and hygiene products, and assist with household tasks.
As part of the project, we provided 286 tricycles (153 electric and 133 mechanical) to social workers in territorial centers of target communities. With these new vehicles, they can move faster and provide necessary social services more efficiently.
EVENTS FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION INSTITUTION REPRESENTATIVES
Throughout the year, we conducted:
- 97 seminars for social protection institution employees (attended by 3,109 people);
- 52 training sessions on preventing professional burnout (attended by 1,183 people).
Additionally, we organized two forums as part of the project:
- Social Sphere During Wartime: Challenges and Prospects, Best Practices for Communities of Ternopilska Oblast: Ternopil, September 20, 2024 (156 attendees);
- Social Sphere During Wartime: Challenges and Prospects, Best Practices for Communities of Zakarpatska Oblast: Uzhhorod, December 4, 2024 (149 attendees).
These forums brought together representatives of the government, local self-government, the civil society sector, and social institutions to exchange experiences and ideas. Focused on cross-sectoral communication, these platforms helped develop joint strategies to tackle the increasing strain on the social services system during the war.
One of the key outcomes of the forum for Ternopilska Oblast institutions was the opening of a Training Center at the Ternopilska Oblast Center for Social Services.
SPECIAL PROJECT “PEOPLE OF THE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM”
We continued our special project, “People of the Social Protection System,” which highlights the work of social protection institutions across various regions of Ukraine. This time, we interviewed the heads of social protection institutions in Dnipropetrovska, Zakarpatska, and Ivano-Frankivska oblasts. Due to internal displacement, the populations of their communities have grown, increasing the workload of the institutions they lead.
In the interviews, we discussed the challenges they face, the needs of their institutions and beneficiaries — particularly IDPs — and the directions for developing social services in the coming year.
- Nataliya Danylenko: “We Are Implementing Innovative Approaches to Drive Progressive Changes” (Pokrovska community, Dnipropetrovska Oblast).
- Lyudmyla Hankulych: “We have to listen to everyone and help them” (Stavnenska community, Zakarpatska Oblast).
- Nadiia Rym: “We Try to Do Our Best to Keep Our Clients in the Community” (Kaluska community, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast).
26,432 LEGAL CONSULTATIONS
Over the year, we provided 26,432 legal consultations:
- 20,486 for IDPs and other war-affected individuals;
- 5,400 for social protection institution employees;
- 546 for IDP Council representatives;
- 446 for community representatives.
The main consultation topics included:
- Housing assistance;
- Housing issues;
- Social benefits/pension allocations;
- Children’s rights (passports, alimony, etc.);
- Document recovery;
- IDP registration;
- Labor rights.
Read the story of how we helped a displaced family receive six months’ worth of social payments.
EVENTS FOR IDPS AND OTHER WAR-AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS
Throughout the year, we organized:
- 65 educational and integration events for IDPs and other war-affected individuals (attended by 1,703 people), covering topics such as compensation for damaged/destroyed housing, labor relations under martial law, and document recovery;
- 24 meetings as part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign (attended by 384 people);
- 24 integration events dedicated to World Refugee Day (attended by 617 people).
We also supported 25 webinars organized by the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine, attended by 2,430 people.
39 INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
In 2024, we developed 39 useful informational materials for IDPs, individuals who returned to their permanent residences in Ukraine after forced displacement within the country or abroad due to the war, and other war-affected individuals. These include explainer cards, leaflets, brochures, roadmaps, flyers, and posters that provide step-by-step guidance on specific topics and contain contact information for further assistance.
We developed 16 materials in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine.
Among the key informational materials we created:
- Why it is important to obtain an IDP certificate
- Medical assistance for IDPs
- Registration for temporary housing for IDPs
- Admission procedures for higher education institutions for individuals from temporarily occupied territories (TOT)
- Reimbursement for free temporary accommodation of displaced persons
- Identification of IDPs receiving pensions
- Procedure and conditions for participation in the “Housing for IDPs” project
- Compensation for wages of IDPs registered before February 24, 2022
- Compensation for hosting IDPs
- Guide for displaced persons in Poltava
As part of a special project for World Refugee Day, we created a series of explainers on social services available to refugees and individuals under additional protection who became IDPs in Ukraine:
Episode 1. International protection in Ukraine
Episode 2. Rights of refugees and individuals under complementary protection in Ukraine
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND PROJECTS FOR IDP COUNCILS
Over 800 IDP Councils operate at various levels across Ukraine. These Councils improve the lives of displaced people, amplify their voices in communities, and initiate new programs and policies for IDPs.
Throughout the year, we systematically provided coordination and mentoring support to IDP Councils and conducted:
- 203 capacity-building events — training sessions, workshops, and presentations (attended by 3,241 people);
- 52 strategic sessions (attended by 848 people).
We also organized 8 webinars for IDP Council members (attended by over 2,000 people) to help them address key issues faced by displaced individuals more effectively.
During these sessions, speakers covered a wide range of topics:
- Housing policy and solutions for ensuring IDPs’ housing rights
- Key stages of developing and implementing local support programs for IDPs
- Monitoring the effectiveness of local programs
- Finding partners and attracting funding for communities: The role and capacity of IDP Councils
- Conducting information campaigns and organizing communication for IDP Councils
- Access to public information
- Key stages of assessing IDPs’ needs in communities
- Applying a gender-sensitive approach to local program development
In collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, we developed an educational series titled “IDP Councils: From Adaptation to Impact” to support the development of IDP Councils.
The 8-episode series features experts explaining the structure and powers of IDP Councils, partnerships, local program development and monitoring, strategic planning, and effective communication.
This course is available for free on the Diia.Education platform.
The series was created by the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the financial support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine for the Diia.Education platform.
We also developed the Portal of IDP Councils, a website that consolidates comprehensive and up-to-date information about IDP Councils in Ukraine. The website features an interactive map of IDP Councils; current news, including updates on relevant legislation; analytics and materials for effective operations of IDP Councils. The portal is designed to connect IDP Councils, promote their development, and provide informational support. The portal was created in partnership with the Congress of IDP Councils NGO.
7 FORUMS FOR IDP COUNCILS
As part of the project, we organized one national and three interregional forums for IDP Councils.
The forums brought together representatives of national and local authorities, civil society and charitable organizations, and IDP Councils:
- II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils: Kyiv, August 27–28, 2024 (342 participants, video);
- Central Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils: Vinnytsia, September 11–12, 2024 (88 participants, video);
- Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils: Lviv, October 3–4, 2024 (102 participants, video);
- Eastern Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils: Poltava, October 7–18, 2024 (99 participants, video).
Each forum included panel discussions, workshops, and informal networking events to strengthen interregional cooperation and communication among IDP Council members.
Additionally, we participated in three forums for IDP Councils organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine:
- Oblast Forum for IDP Council Representatives in Odeska Oblast — Odesa, July 18–19, 2024;
- II Oblast Forum for IDP Council Representatives in Odeska Oblast — Odesa, October 3–4, 2024;
- Forum for IDP Council Representatives in Mykolaivska Oblast — Mykolaiv, December 16–17, 2024.
II ALL-UKRAINIAN FORUM OF IDP COUNCILS
This major event in Kyiv served as a platform for discussions and the development of joint solutions to support and protect IDPs and ensure their voices are heard at the local and national levels.
During the forum, the official establishment of the Congress of IDP Councils was announced, and its founding documents were signed. This organization will coordinate IDP Councils nationwide.
The key goal of the Congress of IDP Councils NGO is to unite more than 800 IDP Councils to defend their rights and interests at the national level, develop a joint action plan, and strengthen their impact.
Read more about the significance of the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in Valeriia Vershynina’s column “A Year of Changes and Achievements: How IDP Councils Have Impacted the Lives of IDPs and Communities.”
To support the II National Forum of IDP Councils, we prepared a brochure showcasing the work of IDP Councils and the positive changes they’ve driven, including:
- Data collection and analysis of IDP needs.
- Housing, employment, and integration support.
- Launching communication platforms and information campaigns.
- Initiating and promoting policy changes at the local level.
Additionally, we produced a video titled 6 Success Stories of IDP Councils, featuring representatives of IDP Councils from different parts of the country talking about their experience of internal displacement, the achievements of their Councils, and plans for the future. The video presents the stories of IDP Councils from six oblasts: Kharkivska Oblast (Zmiivska community), Rivnenska Oblast (Rivnenska community), Cherkaska Oblast, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast (Kaluska community), Chernihivska Oblast (Prylutska community), Zakarpatska Oblast (Uzhhorodska community). We also created five short social media clips based on this video.
The II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils was organized by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX in Ukraine).
ADVOCACY FOR LAWS AND POLICIES
Thanks to the project team’s advocacy efforts in 2024:
- The procedure for providing a living allowance to internally displaced persons was improved.
- The Bill “On Amending Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Status of Mountain Settlements in Ukraine’ Regarding the Protection of the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons” was registered (more details at the link).
- Draft state strategies on ensuring housing rights for IDPs and employment were developed.
- The Congress of IDP Councils NGO was registered.
SEVEN SOCIAL PASSPORTS FOR COMMUNITIES
Due to the full-scale war, the number of people in need of social support and protection has increased across the country. In 2024, we continued assisting target communities in assessing the availability and quality of social services and developing social passports.
A social passport is a working document that contains up-to-date information about a community’s resources and social characteristics, allowing for an evaluation of its potential.
Throughout the year, our regional teams helped develop social passports for seven communities:
- Social Passport of the Borodianska community
- Social Passport of Obukhivska community
- Social Passport of Vasylkivska community (in English)
- Social Passport of Buchanska community
- Social Passport of Voronovytska community
- Social Passport of Bershadska community
- Social Passport of Ivano-Frankivska community
Additionally, as part of the project, we systematically provided consultations to communities on implementing social protection system development plans. Our regional teams conducted 95 meetings on this topic.
STUDY OF LOCAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
Throughout 2024, we studied local and national programs and policies regarding IDP housing rights in 54 target communities across 18 oblasts:
Vinnytska, Volynska, Dnipropetrovska, Zhytomyrska, Zakarpatska, Ivano-Frankivska, Kyivska, Kirovohradska, Lvivska, Odeska, Poltavska, Rivnenska, Sumska, Ternopilska, Khmelnytska, Cherkaska, Chernihivska, and Chernivetska.
Specifically, we assessed their accessibility for displaced persons and analyzed key challenges in securing housing for IDPs. Based on our findings, we developed practical recommendations to improve these programs and policies. Implementing these recommendations will help ensure that the needs, rights, and interests of IDPs are considered at the local level.
All research reports are available at the link.
Additionally, we conducted large-scale research on local policies and programs related to social protection, particularly for IDPs, in 66 communities across 23 oblasts. Based on our work, we prepared recommendations to optimize resources, improve access to and efficiency of social services, and ensure an inclusive approach to meeting IDPs’ needs based on their life circumstances.
All research reports are available at the link.
This publication was prepared with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not necessarily reflect the views of UNHCR.
