The Government has recently introduced amendments to Resolution No. 812, which regulates the activities of IDP Councils. The legislative changes entered into force on 9 June 2026. In this article, we take a closer look at how the new rules will affect the work of these advisory bodies and what has changed in the procedure for forming their membership.
When Must an IDP Council Be Established?
The Government has clarified the requirements for establishing IDP Councils by local self-government bodies and military administrations. From now on, clear and transparent criteria apply. An IDP Council must be established if: internally displaced people submit a corresponding initiative; or
the number of officially registered internally displaced people exceeds 3% of the total population of the community.
Government oversight has also been strengthened. Regional military administrations are now required to hold quarterly coordination meetings and report to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine. These reports must include information on the establishment, operation, and effectiveness of IDP Councils within the region.
What Additional Responsibilities Have IDP Councils Received?
The amendments significantly expand the responsibilities of IDP Councils. They are now expected to:
- collect and analyse information on the needs of internally displaced people by conducting focus groups, surveys, submitting official requests, and using other appropriate methods;
- participate in the work of the authority under which the Council operates, enabling them to advocate more effectively for the interests of internally displaced people during meetings of city, settlement, and village councils;
- monitor the effectiveness of local support programmes for internally displaced people and provide recommendations for improving existing programmes or developing new ones.
All proposals and recommendations developed by an IDP Council must be formally considered by the authority under which the Council has been established.
Transparency and openness remain key principles of the Councils’ work. Documents adopted by IDP Councils, as well as their proposals and recommendations related to the protection of the rights and interests of internally displaced people, must be published on the official websites of military administrations, local self-government bodies, or through another appropriate public communication channel.
Who Can Become a Member of an IDP Council? Updated Membership Requirements
The amendments also introduce important changes to the procedure for forming and renewing the membership of IDP Councils, addressing several legal gaps that existed in the previous version of the Resolution.
Relocated communities are now officially allowed to include in their IDP Councils people who originated from that community and hold an IDP certificate.
The updated rules also regulate the procedure for renewing Council membership when members’ terms expire or when additional members need to be selected. If the new composition of the Council has not yet been approved, the current Council may continue its work for a maximum of 60 calendar days.
Among the selection criteria, applicants who hold a certificate confirming completion of educational training on the work of advisory bodies receive an additional advantage. One such training opportunity is the online course “IDP Councils: From Adaptation to Impact” available on the Diia.Education platform and developed by the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services. Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the final assessment receive a certificate.
As before, membership in an IDP Council is limited to two consecutive terms. However, the amended Resolution introduces an important clarification: only full terms are counted. If a person joined the Council during an ongoing term through the replacement procedure, that period is not considered a full term. As a result, the person remains eligible to stand for two full consecutive terms in the future.
The replacement procedure has also become more flexible. If a Council member leaves, their position is filled by the next eligible candidate from the original selection process. If no such candidate is available, or if the number of Council members falls below half of the approved membership, a new competition must be announced to fill the vacant positions.
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.