On 2–3 July, the Central Ukraine IDP Councils Forum took place in Bila Tserkva, Kyivska Oblast, bringing together representatives of IDP Councils, local self-government authorities, government institutions, and international partners. Over two days, more than 90 participants discussed ways to strengthen the role of IDP Councils in communities, shared successful advocacy practices, and developed solutions to improve support for internally displaced people.
The event was organized by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in partnership with the Bila Tserkva City Council, with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine, for participants from Vinnytska, Zhytomyrska, Kyivska, Cherkaska, and Chernihivska oblasts.
“Today, IDP Councils are becoming important actors driving systemic change at the community level. This is particularly evident in the housing sector, where IDP Councils in many regions participate in developing procedures for establishing temporary housing funds for internally displaced people. Their impact is also visible in the social sphere, where they have successfully advocated for the inclusion of internally displaced people in local targeted programmes,” said Serhii Reva, Durable Solutions Officer at the UNHCR Office in Kyiv.
“Ukraine is one of the few countries where internally displaced people have consultative and advisory bodies within local communities that represent their interests. Our Foundation has invested significant efforts in establishing IDP Councils and continues to support their day-to-day work. Nothing about us without us is not merely an advocacy principle. We never plan support activities for IDP Councils without taking their needs and priorities into account. The IDP Councils Forum provides an excellent opportunity for like-minded people to discuss future transformations and identify effective solutions that can be scaled up,” said Valeriia Vershynina, Executive Director of the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services.
Throughout the two-day event, participants explored ways to strengthen the contribution of IDP Councils to community development and discussed barriers that hinder the implementation of national programmes at the local level. Particular attention was given to advocacy practices, cooperation with public authorities, and the participation of IDP Councils in local decision-making.
Today, IDP Councils analyse local programmes and initiate changes whenever the needs of internally displaced people are not sufficiently addressed. They also systematically assess the needs of IDPs and propose practical solutions to ensure these needs are reflected in local policies.
One example of effective cooperation was presented by Hanna Salamatina, Head of the IDP Council under the Executive Committee of the Boyarka City Council. She introduced the Community Co-Creation Space project, a future community hub that will serve both as the office of the IDP Coordination Council and as an open public space for all community residents. The premises were provided by the local authorities, while international donors supported the refurbishment of the facility.
During the panel discussion “What Prevents the Implementation of National Programmes for IDPs at the Local Level — and How Can It Be Addressed?”, participants identified several systemic challenges. They noted that national programmes are often introduced without taking into account the actual capacities of local governments. Additional responsibilities are assigned without adequate staffing or financial resources, while communities frequently lack methodological and expert support. At the same time, participants emphasized that the successful experience of civil society organizations could serve as a valuable resource for improving the implementation of government initiatives.
In addition to panel discussions, the Forum programme included practical workshops. During these sessions, participants jointly developed recommendations to strengthen the role of IDP Councils, enhance their participation in community recovery processes, and foster cooperation among different regions.
The Forum also presented the national award “For the Councils of the Future” and invited IDP Councils to submit applications through the IDP Councils Portal. The competition recognises outstanding practices in the categories of Leadership and Advocacy, Innovation and Initiative, and Strength in Partnership. A special Community Choice Award will be determined through online voting on the Portal.
Forum outcomes
Participants showcased successful advocacy practices that contributed to local change, analysed barriers to implementing national programmes at the community level and identified practical ways to overcome them, and strengthened cooperation among IDP Councils from different regions of Ukraine.
About the Forums of IDP Councils
These are annual regional, interregional, and national events launched by the CF SSS in 2022. They bring together representatives of IDP Councils, government bodies, and international and national organizations around the idea of developing tools for local democracy and amplifying the voices of internally displaced people.
Over the years, these interregional forums have become an important platform for networking and shaping a shared vision for the development of IDP Councils. The main goals of these events are to increase influence on local and national policy-making processes, build institutional capacity, exchange experiences, advocate for key issues, strengthen the capacity of the Councils, and provide practical learning opportunities.
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.