In June 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the State Policy Strategy on Internal Displacement through 2030 together with the Operational Action Plan for 2026–2028 (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 598-r of 10 June 2026).
1. What is the State Policy Strategy on Internal Displacement and why does it matter?
Simply put, the Strategy is the government’s roadmap for how Ukraine will support internally displaced people (IDPs) and the communities hosting them over the coming years.
The document covers the entire displacement journey—from evacuation or leaving an unsafe area to integration into a new community or voluntary return home when conditions become safe.
The Strategy’s main objective is to move from emergency assistance to long-term, sustainable support. It focuses not only on humanitarian aid but also on creating opportunities for people to secure housing, find employment, access education and essential public services, and gradually regain self-reliance.
2. Why is this Strategy important?
The Strategy sets the direction of Ukraine’s state policy on internal displacement through 2030. It will serve as the foundation for future government programmes, legislative changes, and support mechanisms for internally displaced people and host communities.
For local self-government authorities, the Strategy serves as a roadmap for planning community development while taking into account the needs of IDPs—even before all implementing regulations have been adopted.
In other words, the Strategy establishes the overall policy direction, while specific implementation tools and programmes will be introduced progressively over the coming years.
3. Who does the Strategy apply to?
The Strategy defines responsibilities for all stakeholders involved in shaping and implementing policies related to internal displacement, including:
- IDPs, including those belonging to vulnerable groups;
- Ukrainian citizens returning from abroad;
- IDP Councils;
- territorial communities hosting internally displaced people;
- local self-government authorities;
- Oblast Military Administrations;
- ministries and other state authorities.
For communities, the Strategy means that the needs of internally displaced people should be reflected not only in humanitarian assistance but also in long-term community development, local programmes, and budget planning.
Local self-government authorities are encouraged to implement the Operational Action Plan within their respective mandates, using local budgets and other available funding sources.
The implementation of the Strategy is coordinated by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 598-r of 10 June 2026.
4. How is the new Strategy different from the previous one?
The key difference lies in its approach.
The previous Strategy primarily focused on responding rapidly to the challenges caused by internal displacement.
The new Strategy recognises that, for many people, displacement has become a long-term reality. As a result, state policy must also shift from short-term responses to long-term solutions.
The focus is no longer limited to temporary assistance. Instead, it aims to create the conditions for people to rebuild their lives within their communities by improving access to housing, employment, education, healthcare, social services, and meaningful participation in community life.
In practice, this means moving from separate support programmes to a comprehensive policy centred on people and their long-term needs.
5. What role do IDP Councils play under the Strategy?
For the first time, the Strategy clearly recognises IDP Councils as one of the key mechanisms for ensuring the participation of internally displaced people in both national and local policymaking.
In particular, public authorities are expected to consult IDP Councils when preparing decisions that may affect the lives of internally displaced people.
This approach enables communities to better understand and address the real needs of displaced people while giving IDPs greater opportunities to participate in community life and influence decisions that affect them.
6. How will the Strategy be implemented?
The Strategy is designed to run through 2030 and will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase (2026–2028) focuses on launching the core implementation mechanisms. This includes developing digital public services, strengthening coordination between public authorities, preparing the necessary regulatory framework, introducing new housing and economic support instruments, and improving financing mechanisms for communities. Some measures are expected to begin in 2026, while the most significant reforms are planned for 2027–2028.
The second phase (2029–2030) will build on the results of the first. By the end of 2028, the ministry responsible for coordinating the Strategy is expected to prepare a new Operational Action Plan outlining the next steps for implementation.
Beginning in 2027, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will conduct annual assessments of the Strategy’s implementation. This will allow the government to adjust actions where necessary and respond to emerging challenges.
Stay tuned for our upcoming publications
In the following materials, we will explain the four main objectives of Ukraine’s State Policy Strategy on Internal Displacement through 2030 and what they mean in practice for territorial communities and IDP Councils. We will also take a closer look at the amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 812 of 4 August 2023 and explain how these changes affect the work of IDP Councils.
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.