The South Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils took place in Odesa on October 22–23, 2025. The event united leaders of Councils on Internally Displaced Persons, representatives of authorities, and partners to discuss effective mechanisms for advocating the rights of internally displaced people.
The participation of international partners during the forum attested to the importance of the IDP Councils’ work at the national level.
“IDP Councils have become an indispensable part of Ukraine’s democratic and humanitarian landscape, from the first local initiatives in the East to thousands of Councils across the country. Together with colleagues from UNHCR, I see them not just as advisory bodies, but as a genuine bridge uniting internally displaced persons and host communities. The IDP Council Forum in Odesa is an opportunity to witness how Councils, with their renewed composition and fresh ideas, are shaping recovery, resilience, and inclusion in regions that are currently overcoming unique challenges,” emphasized Sandra Stroem, Associate Community-Based Protection Officer at the UNHCR Odessa Office.
he forum was opened with welcoming addresses by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk, Head of the Temporary Special Commission (TSC) of the Ukrainian Parliament on the Protection of IDP Rights Pavlo Frolov, and Deputy Director of the Department of Social and Family Policy of the Odesa Regional State Administration (Regional Military Administration) Svitlana Nazarenko.
“IDP Councils were created to protect the rights of millions of displaced persons and help them integrate into communities through systemic dialogue with authorities, society, and donors. Their work and daily efforts bring concrete results: regulatory changes, funding, and support for IDPs. Despite fatigue, limited resources, and a difficult winter, we continue to work alongside those who are ready to act. The Councils have leaders who take responsibility for IDPs, and I know many of them personally. I call on communities to support displaced persons, and on IDP Councils to conduct active communication, as it is the key to effective advocacy. You can always count on my support and the assistance of the Presidential Office,” Iryna Vereshchuk addressed the attendees.
“We do everything possible to ensure that the voice of internally displaced persons will be heard at all levels and that the IDP Councils have proper working conditions. At the same time, it is important for them to remain active, unite into Councils’ Associations at the regional and national levels, and thus strengthen their influence in communities, at the regional, and national levels. The new edition of the law on the protection of IDP rights provides for granting Councils greater independence and legal personality. I am convinced that this will enhance their capacity to represent the interests of displaced persons,” emphasized Pavlo Frolov.
“Currently, over 221 thousand internally displaced persons reside in the Odeska Oblast. We are organizing the evacuation of people from the Donetska Oblast and shelters in the Dnipropetrovska Oblast — primarily those who require special care. Simultaneously, we are conducting an inventory of facilities suitable for IDP resettlement to provide them with the necessary proper living conditions,” said Svitlana Nazarenko.
The central event of the first day of the forum, October 22, was the discussion panel “From Promotion to Results: How IDP Councils Influence Government Decisions?” Heads of IDP Councils from the southern regions — Odeska, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska oblasts — shared successful cases of advocacy campaigns and personal experience of interaction with the authorities.
“Effective interaction between IDP Councils and authorities is based on a combination of direct communication, constructive dialogue, and the formal documentation of agreements. Face-to-face meetings allow us to build trust, understand emotions and priorities that cannot be conveyed in writing, and encourage quicker action. Constructive dialogue and partnership ensure the Council’s participation in the early stages of decision-making, when proposals turn into actual solutions, not resistance. Official correspondence records agreements and ensures an equal understanding of the next steps by all parties. This approach makes interaction productive and long-lasting,” noted Oksana Himishli, Head of the IDP Council at the Odesa Regional State Administration.
Participants also familiarized themselves with the online platform — the IDP Councils Portal. The Portal serves as a centralized informational and methodological resource for the network of IDP Councils across Ukraine.Among other key events of the forum were: a discussion panel titled “Engaging IDPs and the Local Population in Active Cooperation and Participation in IDP Council Work” and a strategic workshop “The Territory of the IDP Councils’ Future 2027,” during which a vision for the Councils’ development for the coming years was developed.
“The success of IDP Councils is impossible without partnership and interaction. No matter how active a Council is, it will not be heard without interest from the body under which it was established, and the community as a whole. Effective coordination with the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine only strengthens this outcome. It is pleasing to realize that the IDP Councils themselves see the prospect of engaging donors in the communities, and even the potential to receive recognition for their work. All this is achievable, and we are ready to provide support to turn these expectations into results,” emphasized Valeriia Vershynina, Executive Director of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilisation Support Services.”
The second day of the forum, October 23, was dedicated to practical skills development. Representatives of the IDP Councils participated in the game-based quest, “How an IDP Council Can Support Displaced Persons.” This format allowed attendees to consolidate their knowledge and exchange experience on using practical tools to assist IDPs.
Following the forum, the key role of IDP Councils in ensuring the integration of displaced persons and community development was confirmed, and priorities for strengthening cooperation with local authorities were defined.
“IDP Councils are communities of people who consistently help displaced persons feel cared for and supported on a volunteer basis. Their work is already yielding tangible results in the communities. It was precisely due to the Councils’ initiative during the Second All-Ukrainian Forum in 2024 that the NGO ‘Congress of IDP Councils’ was established — to coordinate, provide mutual support, and represent the Councils’ interests at the national level. Following a strategic session, the Congress determined its next steps and mission, and today invites IDP Councils from all over the country to join the collaborative work,” said Oksana Savytska, Advisor on IDP Council Development at the CF “SSS.”
All developments and best practices gained during the four regional forums will be discussed nationwide at the Third All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils in Kyiv on November 14–15 and utilized during the construction of the Councils’ development strategy for the coming years.
Events for IDP Councils are conducted by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. We will continue to help develop the network of IDP Councils and create opportunities for their growth.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.