United Voices in Action is a program that aims to empower internally displaced persons to become leaders in community cohesion, lead support structures, increase their resilience, and contribute to Ukraine’s national recovery.
- The Program is being implemented by the international organization IREX together with the Ukrainian Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.
- The Program is being implemented in 18 oblasts of Ukraine.
- The main audience of the Program are IDPs, members of host communities, and government and media representatives.
- Among the Program’s main tools are educational activities, advocacy for the rights and interests of IDPs, building the capacity of officials to support the needs of IDPs, and exchange of experience between activists from different oblasts.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
- Supporting the activities of IDP consultative and advisory bodies (IDP Councils);
- Providing legal advice to IDPs;
- Familiarizing local authorities providing social and administrative services to IDPs with changes in legislation;
- Facilitating access to resources for IDPs that enhance their integration;
- Conducting training workshops for IDPs to explain local government decision-making and resource allocation processes, aimed at correcting harmful perceptions of preferential treatment of IDPs;
- Development and dissemination of educational and informational resources to prevent exploitation of IDPs;
- Advocacy activities aimed at protecting the rights of IDPs;
- Coordination activities to support initiatives for IDPs and inform them about employment opportunities and available resources;
- Increasing the capacity of officials to meet the needs of IDPs;
- Development of a manual on non-discrimination and anti-exploitation of IDPs, which will be distributed by relevant government agencies as a reference to improve overall service delivery;
- The Yedyna Hromada (United Community) training program to provide skills in facilitating dialogue for IDPs and host community members, promoting social cohesion, countering stereotypes and conflicts, joint problem-solving, and project management skills;
- Grant support for projects to promote social cohesion in communities;
- Organizing Quest games to strengthen social cohesion among children;
- Information and grant support for new and relocated businesses;
- Providing scholarships for education and retraining for IDPs in the amount of up to $500;
- Creation and distribution of informational materials informing IDPs and the affected population about their rights under martial law;
- Conducting an information campaign to raise public awareness on building social cohesion, creating conditions for equality and non-discrimination in the community and emphasizing the importance of joint work of all community members;
- Grant support to local NGOs to address critical issues, promote social cohesion and reduce prejudice against IDPs.
PROGRAM GEOGRAPHY
- Vinnytska Oblast
- Volynska Oblast
- Dnipropetrovska Oblast
- Zhytomyrska Oblast
- Zakarpatska Oblast
- Ivano-Frankivska Oblast
- Kyivska Oblast
- Kirovohradska Oblast
- Lvivska Oblast
- Mykolaivska Oblast
- Odeska Oblast
- Poltavska Oblast
- Rivnenska Oblast
- Ternopilska Oblast
- Khmelnytska Oblast
- Cherkaska Oblast
- Chernivetska Oblast
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- Chernihivska Oblast
