From now on, more than 4.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country have the same rights as the residents of the communities they have moved to. They can influence local decision-making, which means they can contribute to improving life in the cities, villages, and settlements where they have found a new home.
This is now guaranteed by Law 3703-IX, “On People’s Power at the Level of Local Self-Government,” signed by the President on January 6.
On January 22, we held a webinar with our partners to discuss its key innovations:
- What opportunities does this law create for communities and IDPs?
- Why is this a significant step for the development of local democracy?
- What role does civil society play in implementing the law?
Watch the webinar recording on our YouTube:
“When the law takes effect at the local level, displaced persons will be able to participate in decision-making and more effectively influence policy development. In particular, barriers to using local democracy tools must be removed. Public hearings, local initiatives, participatory budgets, and other mechanisms will now be fully available to IDPs. It is crucial that displaced persons, together with residents of host communities, facilitate prompt changes to statutes and relevant local council decisions so that the law can be put into practice as soon as possible,” — notes Tetiana Durnieva.
Special thanks to our webinar speakers:
- Maksym Lukinyuk, consultant on public participation mechanisms (Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research);
- Tetiana Durnieva, Chair of the Board of the Group of Influence NGO;
- Oksana Savytska, Development Advisor for IDP Councils at CF “Stabilization Support Services.”
The webinar was organized by the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, in partnership with the Group of Influence NGO, supported by UK Aid from the Government of the United Kingdom, and in collaboration with the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research.