The Councils on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP Councils) are advisory and consultative bodies under the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Kyiv city, Sevastopol city, oblast, and raion state (military) administrations.
The IDP Councils are established pursuant to a corresponding decree. Their task is to implement regional policy in ensuring and protecting the rights and interests of internally displaced persons. In addition, IDP Councils support the activities of local communities and help develop effective mechanisms for the adaptation and integration of IDPs.
The first five IDP Councils were established in 2019 with the support of the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services.” As of December 2024, there are more than 800 IDP Councils in Ukraine.
Our interactive map helps easily locate the necessary IDP Council.
Why Do IDP Councils Exist?
Here are some of their primary objectives:
- Facilitating the realization of the civil and political rights of IDPs, involving them in the development and oversight of regulatory acts, and submitting proposals and recommendations on the development of public-private partnerships to address issues of adaptation and integration of displaced persons within territorial communities
- Ensuring and protecting the rights and interests of IDPs in matters of social protection, housing, employment, psychosocial, medical, and legal assistance, among other issues.
- Supporting the work of territorial communities and developing effective mechanisms for the adaptation and integration of IDPs.
- Encouraging the engagement of domestic and foreign investors, public and international associations, and charitable organizations in the development of infrastructure and opportunities within territorial communities.
How Were IDP Councils Established?
The establishment of IDP Councils has been a challenging, years-long process that began in 2018.
In the spring of 2022, most specialized organizations assisting affected populations recognized the need to involve them in addressing their own challenges and giving them a voice at the community level. What experts refer to as participatory democracy tools and accountability mechanisms, IDPs themselves saw as a fundamental need to be heard and to feel like part of the community rather than a burden on it.
When a certain group of people cannot access local programs or participate in local decision-making, it is not only unjust but also inefficient. Unaware of the needs and contributions of IDPs, communities often made the wrong decisions and wasted budget funds on initiatives that did not align with the real needs of displaced persons.
For this reason, the team at the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” developed the concept of IDP Councils, which laid the groundwork for the first Model Regulations and the search for regulatory justification for these bodies.
The first five IDP Councils were established by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” as part of the Strengthening the Participation of Internally Displaced Persons in the Democratic Processes of Local Self-Government project. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in government priorities, the process of establishing IDP Councils slowed down but picked up speed again in 2021. By submitting proposals to the IDP Integration Strategy through 2024, we launched advocacy efforts to establish Councils nationwide.
“Most people are unable to rebuild their communities on their own. IDP Councils help analyze the needs of displaced persons, develop and recommend measures, and facilitate the engagement of Ukrainian and foreign investors in developing community infrastructure and opportunities. Additionally, IDP Councils can participate in developing comprehensive recovery programs,”– notes Oksana Savytska, Advisor on the Development of IDP Councils at the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services”.
The Situation Following the Full-Scale Invasion
Following the onset of full-scale war in 2022, the development of the Model Regulations on the IDP Council and an updated State Policy Strategy on IDPs began.
In August 2023, the Model Regulations on the IDP Council were officially approved.
For years, the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” has been strengthening the network of Councils, training new participants, and developing methodologies to ensure that IDP Councils can effectively grow and operate in the best interests of affected populations.
The foundation remains committed to fostering strong communication among IDP Councils across Ukraine and providing them with mentorship and institutional support.
Currently, several major international organizations, including UNHCR, are working with IDP Councils.
