On June 4-5, 2026, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, in co-operation with the Council of Europe project, organised a workshop for local self-government bodies "Local IDP Support Programmes: Best Practices".

The event is part of the work on the preparation of methodological recommendations for the effective creation and implementation of local IDP support programmes.

In May, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, with the expert support of the Council of Europe project, began analysing local targeted programs to support IDPs in communities.

The event in Kyiv became a platform for discussing existing practices in communities for the preparation and implementation of such programmes, as well as developing proposals for future recommendations.

The event was joined by representatives of local self-government bodies and IDP Councils from Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

The event was opened by Konul Gasimova, Human Rights and Justice Co-operation Department, Council of Europe, assuring the participants that the Council of Europe remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine during military challenges.

Svitlana Horyachko, Director of the Department of Policy for Support and Integration of Internally Displaced Persons of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, noted: "It is important for us that communities are not left alone with challenges, and that state and local programmes work as a single system." 

Communities shared their experience in developing and implementing programmes for IDPs.

Natalia Kovtun, Head of the Department of Social Protection of the Population of the Rubizhne City Military Administration of the Luhansk Region, explained: "We are a relocated community. We try to support our residents, regardless of which community they moved to. We provide financial assistance under the program "Community for Defenders" for 11 categories of military personnel and members of their families, 7 categories of victims of armed aggression - under the program "Community - support for everyone", and families with children - under the program "Children are the heart of the community".

Maria Stepina, Head of the Department for the Organization of Work with IDPs of the Department of Social Policy of the Chernivtsi City Council, shared the community's measures for the preparation of the new programme: "We start with a survey of IDPs according to their needs. This survey will be conducted by various institutions and organisations of the community, for example, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Council on IDPs, the Chernivtsi City Center for Social Services, the Charitable Foundation "Right to Protection", etc. A total of 8 organisations. Based on the collected data, we will formulate measures so that they meet the needs of people as much as possible."

Andriy Smirnov, Deputy Head of the Sursko-Litovsk Rural Territorial Community of the Dnipropetrovsk Region, shared his experience: "The IDPs saved us. We have a small rural community. There is a shortage of personnel in institutions and organisations, including local self-government bodies. IDPs are currently working in our educational institutions, the Center for Administrative Services, and the executive committee of the council."

The Chairman of the Kirovohrad Regional Council on IDPs, Andriy Kuryan, formulated several recommendations to improve the work of IDP Councils: "Each Council should have a coordinator (clerk, organiser of work) with financial incentives. This person does not necessarily have to be a member of the Council, but he or she has a very good understanding of the topic of IDPs and  is familiar with the legislation related to IDPs. At the regional level, it would be good to create the so-called Coordination Council on IDPs, which should include all heads of IDP councils from districts and communities. Also, IDP Councils need technical support (computer, printer ..).

For the second day, representatives of local self-government bodies worked out their recommendations to ensure that support programmes take into account the needs of internally displaced people and are effective.

The event was held by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine in co-operation with the Council of Europe project Facilitating Access to Human Rights and Essential Services for Internally Displaced Persons and Returnees at the Community Level - Council of Europe Office in Ukraine.