On May 9, the team of the CO SSS participated in a meeting dedicated to implementing the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons. Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, chaired the meeting.
During the event, Valeriia Vershynina, Executive Director of the CO SSS, presented updated information on the development of IDP Councils in Ukraine. According to the foundation, there are over 800 IDP Councils operating at various levels — oblast, raion, and local. These councils not only initiate changes in social and housing programs but also shape the development of national policies.
Valeriia Vershynina emphasized the following key points:
- The need to implement regular state registration of IDP Councils.
- The necessity of coordination at the national level.
- The importance of amending the Model Regulation, particularly regarding the renewal of IDP Council membership and the coordination of local decisions affecting IDPs.
- The launch of the Portal of IDP Councils — a unified online platform for information exchange, solution-seeking, and enhancing cooperation among IDP Councils.
The Foundation’s team also announced the finalization of the results of a study conducted with REACH and Impact Ukraine, with financial support from ECHO. More than 400 IDP Councils participated in this study, which allowed for a detailed examination of their needs and challenges.
We are grateful to all partners who support this movement and are confident that IDP Councils are not just advisory bodies but a key tool for strengthening local democracy and integrating internally displaced persons into the life of their new communities.
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.