The Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils was the second interregional forum of IDP Councils, continuing the discussions initiated at the II All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils.
The event primarily brought together representatives of IDP Councils from Volynska, Ivano-Frankivska, Zakarpatska, Lvivska, Rivnenska, Ternopilska, Khmelnytska, and Chernivetska oblasts to exchange ideas and develop joint solutions for enhancing the capacity of IDP Councils and addressing urgent displacement-related issues.
Forum Objectives
- To discuss coordinated actions by state and local authorities for integrating displaced persons into host communities, employment opportunities, housing for IDPs, social services in communities, and collaboration between IDP Councils and local authorities;
- To create a platform for sharing successful practices of IDP Councils and fostering communication among the IDP Councils of Western Ukraine;
- To develop work directions for the Congress of IDP Councils NGO, as presented at the Second All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils.
Participants
The Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils brought together 102 participants, including representatives of IDP Councils, oblast military administrations, local state authorities, local self-government bodies, and non-governmental and international organizations.
Key Speakers:
- Valeriia Vershynina — Executive Director of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”;
- Maksym Kozytskyi — Head of the Lvivska Oblast Military Administration;
- Maryna Krasnopolska — Protection Advisor at the UNHCR Lviv Field Office;
- Yurii Kholod — Acting Head of the Lvivska Oblast Council;
- Taras Podvirnyi — Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Lvivska Oblast;
- Yevheniia Mnyshenko — Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Ivano-Frankivska Oblast;
- Olha Travina — Director of the Social Protection Department of the Zakarpatska Oblast Military Administration;
- Olha Travina — Deputy Mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, Director of the Department for Community Integration, Internal Policy, and Work with IDPs.
Panel Discussions
Over two days, the Forum hosted four panel discussions:
- “IDP Councils as a Platform for Joint Action Between Civil Society and Authorities on the Path to Successful Integration of Displaced Persons”;
- “National and Local Support Programs for IDPs”;
- “Social Service Systems for IDPs in Communities: Addressing Difficult Life Situations (Social Support), Minimizing Their Consequences (Social Services), and Social Prevention”;
- “Adaptation and Integration of IDPs: Interregional Experience and Best Practices.”
Workshops
Two workshops were held during the Forum.
The first featured experience-sharing among IDP Councils in a World Café format, allowing participants to develop specific recommendations for the government, civil society organizations, and local authorities.
Participants worked in three thematic sections:
Section I: “Housing Rights of IDPs: Rapid Response and Long-Term Solutions”;
Section II: “Employment and Business Support”;
Section III: “Social Protection.”
During the second workshop — “Congress of IDP Councils” — three groups of participants worked on the following areas:
Group 1: “Goals and Objectives of the Coordinating Body for IDP Councils — Congress of IDP Councils NGO”;
Group 2: “Membership in the Congress of IDP Councils NGO”;
Group 3: “Structure of the Governing Bodies of the Congress of IDP Councils NGO.”
Forum Results
- The structure of the coordinating body for IDP Councils — the Congress of IDP Councils NGO — was developed, including its functions and objectives. The key goal of the Congress of IDP Councils NGO is to unite over 800 IDP Councils to advocate for their rights and interests at the national level, develop a joint action plan, and strengthen their influence.
Media about the Forum
“Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in Lviv United Representatives from 8 Regions” (Varianty).
“The Number of Integrated Internally Displaced Persons Is Very Low — 10–15%”(Espreso.Zakhid).
“Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils Held in Lviv” (Raion.in.ua).
The event was held by the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with financial support from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine.