Tasks and Rights of IDP Councils: A Brief Overview for Effective Work

A clear understanding of their rights and tasks enables IDP Councils to act systematically, build partnerships, and achieve tangible results. IDP Councils:

• Represent the interests of internally displaced women and men at the local level;
• Foster dialogue between IDPs, authorities, businesses, and the public;
• Initiate positive changes within communities;
• Monitor the protection of the rights of internally displaced persons;
• Help address key issues affecting IDPs.

To support the Councils in their daily work, we have prepared a brief overview of their key tasks and rights, illustrated with real-life examples.

What Tasks Does an IDP Council Perform?

1. Enhancing the participation of IDPs in community and political life:

• initiates public consultations with IDPs on local program drafts;
• participates in advisory bodies of local councils (e.g., executive committees or specialized commissions);
• conducts information campaigns to raise awareness about IDPs’ opportunities to take part in local self-government (general meetings, public hearings, participatory budgeting, etc.).

2. Promoting the protection of IDP rights and interests:

• prepares and submits appeals regarding violations of IDPs’ rights (housing, assistance, healthcare, etc.);
• involves human rights organizations to provide free legal consultations for IDPs;
• carries out legal awareness campaigns and explains relevant legislation.

For the full list of tasks assigned to IDP Councils, see the Model Regulation on the IDP Council.

3. Supporting adaptation and integration of IDPs:

• initiates and organizes integration and cultural events (fairs, festivals, etc.);
• implements a “mentorship” initiative — local residents help newcomers adapt;
• launches support clubs for women, children, and persons with disabilities among IDPs;
• develops and distributes information materials with the contacts of service providers and government institutions;
• initiates regular needs assessments of IDPs and provides recommendations to local authorities based on the findings.

4. Supporting relocated businesses:

• helps map the needs of relocated entrepreneurs together with employment centers and local authorities;
• organizes business meetings between relocated and local entrepreneurs;
• promotes initiatives for tax benefits or reduced rental rates at the local level.

5. Involving IDPs in public life and decision-making:

• delegates members to advisory bodies and working groups on community development strategies;
• holds public discussions on IDP issues and formulates recommendations (forums, conferences, round tables, etc.);
• implements participatory budgeting with quotas for IDP initiatives.

6. Attracting investment in infrastructure:

• prepares letters of support to international donors for financing social (temporary) housing and other initiatives for IDPs;
• initiates projects to set up spaces for IDPs;
• presents community needs related to IDP support at investment forums.

7. Developing public–private partnership (PPP) proposals:

• creates working groups to develop PPP models in the areas of housing and employment;
• cooperates with local businesses to create coworking spaces and workshops for IDPs, and organizes round tables on “Business and Community: Partnership for Recovery.”

8. Improving IDP-related legislation:

• participates in public discussions of draft laws on IDP rights (e.g., No. 12301, No. 12300);
• submits collective appeals to relevant parliamentary committees and ministries;
• provides feedback on shortcomings of local IDP support programs and recommendations for improvement;
• prepares proposals for the development or revision of local programs.

9. Cooperating with partners:

• holds joint events with international organizations (UNHCR, NRC, IOM) — trainings, advocacy initiatives;
• facilitates joint projects with civil society and charitable organizations, including psychosocial support and education programs;
• signs memorandums of cooperation with partners to implement the IDP Council’s objectives.

10. Monitoring the performance of authorities regarding IDPs:

• monitors the implementation of IDP support programs and the effectiveness of budget spending;
• reports publicly on monitoring results at local council sessions;
• analyzes and evaluates local programs to ensure they address IDP needs.

11. Promoting gender equality in IDP support:

• conducts gender analysis of IDP integration programs;
• prepares recommendations for applying gender-sensitive approaches in local programs;
• organizes leadership development activities for women among IDPs;
• involves women from IDP communities in working groups for program or strategy development.

What Rights Does an IDP Council Have?

1. Access to information and documents.

The Council has the right to officially request information from authorities, enterprises, and organizations.

Examples:

• sending a request to the head of the local council for a copy of the current IDP Integration Program or other relevant programs (education, social protection, etc.);
• requesting the number of registered IDPs from the local social protection office;
• asking the housing department (CNAP) for data on IDP housing applications.

2. Involving government representatives and independent experts.

The Council may invite officials, experts, and heads of institutions to its meetings or working groups (upon consent).

Examples:

• inviting a representative of the education department to discuss access to kindergartens for IDPs;
• engaging a human rights expert to prepare an advocacy campaign against discrimination;
• inviting an employment center specialist to provide consultations on IDP employment.

3. Submitting proposals and recommendations.

The Council can formally submit proposals, comments, and appeals to authorities to protect IDP rights and address their needs.

Examples:

• proposing that the city council establish an IDP Support Center;
• recommending amendments to local social protection programs to reflect IDP needs;
• initiating the creation of mobile teams by the regional administration to inspect living conditions in temporary accommodation.

4. Considering appeals from IDPs and NGOs.

The Council can accept and review appeals from IDPs and civil society or charitable organizations working on IDP issues.

Examples:

• reviewing complaints about poor conditions in temporary housing;
• processing NGO proposals to establish IDP consultation points;
• assisting in drafting a collective appeal for a new bus route to a remote modular settlement.

5. Cooperating with other IDP Councils.

The Council can establish contacts with other IDP Councils across Ukraine to exchange experience, coordinate actions, and advocate jointly.

Examples:

• holding joint meetings to share best practices;
• drafting joint appeals to ministries or Members of Parliament of Ukraine;
• organizing regional forums of IDP Councils.

6. Initiating and participating in events.

The Council may organize or participate in conferences, seminars, and meetings on IDP rights protection.

Examples:

• holding a round table on IDP integration in the community;
• taking part in coordination meetings;
• initiating advocacy and communication trainings for Council members.

7. Creating working groups and commissions.

The Council may form temporary or permanent working groups to address specific issues.

Examples:

• a working group to prepare amendments to local IDP support programs;
• a commission on the realization of IDPs’ housing rights;
• a working group to prepare for an IDP forum.

These actions are usually formalized in IDP Council decisions (meeting minutes), appeals or requests, and the Council’s regulations.

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.