The Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils took place on 9–10 October in Lviv. It brought together representatives of IDP Councils from eight regions — Lviv, Volyn, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia — as well as government officials, international partners and experts.
For two days, participants discussed real examples of how IDP Councils influence local decision-making, shared experiences and developed new approaches to IDP integration.
“Every IDP Council in Ukraine tells a story of people who refused to be defined by displacement. Instead, they chose to define their role in rebuilding their communities and their country. Here in western Ukraine, where the focus has shifted from emergency response to long-term solutions, IDP Councils embody the spirit of participation, solidarity, and shared responsibility. They remind us that durable solutions are not imposed from above — they grow from within communities that listen, include, and build a future together,” says Christine Elizabeth Matthews, UNHCR Deputy Representative in Ukraine.
“Most IDP Councils are a unique example of how persistence, ambition and daily dedicated work can drive systemic change. But real success is always shared — it only happens when an IDP Council and the authority that established it work together. Where this interaction exists, Councils demonstrate remarkable results, which also proves the strength and effectiveness of the local authority itself,”
she emphasized in her welcoming remarks.
The Forum focused on practical tools for cooperation between IDP Councils and local governments that are already being implemented in communities. Examples include the “reverse tax” mechanism in Rivne, a social taxi and a support program for residents and IDPs with rare (orphan) diseases in Uzhhorod, the creation of a temporary housing fund in Kalush, and more.
Participants also learned about the new digital platform — the IDP Councils Portal, which offers unique opportunities for Councils. Each Council has its own page, where it can publish not only contact information, but also details about its composition, meeting announcements and minutes, successful practices for solving IDP-related issues, and more. Councils can send information for publication to the Portal’s email: rady-vpo@sss-ua.org.
Additionally, they took part in the interactive quest “How an IDP Council Can Support Displaced People.” Through a game format, participants worked with scenarios simulating real community situations, practiced finding compromises and learned to argue their positions effectively.
Read more about the Western Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in Lviv on the CF SSS website.
The next event — the Southern Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils — will be held in Odesa on 22–23 October, followed by the III All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in Kyiv in November.
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.