In Vinnytsia, experts of the “United Voices in Action” program, implemented by IREX together with the Stabilization Support Services charity foundation and with the support of the U.S. Department of State, presented a large-scale study of local policies and programs that illustrates the observance of IDPs’ rights and their involvement in the life of new communities. 

In total, the lawyers analyzed 193 legal acts in 25 communities in 15 regions of Ukraine, including Vinnytsia oblast. It turned out that due to the lack of definitions of “member of the territorial community” and “permanent residence”, IDPs are limited in their right to participate in local government and do not receive some social benefits.

“The study showed that local legal documents need to be amended. In practice, IDPs are restricted in their rights to participate directly in local government. To resolve this issue, it is necessary to make appropriate changes to the charter of the territorial community,” said Eleonora Rudenko, regional coordinator of the “United Voices in Action” program.

Almost 47,000 internally displaced persons have been registered with the Department of Social Policy of Vinnytsia City Council, including almost 12,000 children. 

More than 5,000 IDPs received social services. Three municipal institutions are the key providers of such services in the community: Vinnytsia City Territorial Center for Social Services, Vinnytsia City Center for Social Services, and the City Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children and Youth with Functional Disabilities.

There are no separate targeted social support programs for IDPs. However, after the full-scale invasion, the existing documents were amended to consider the interests of IDPs, says Oleksiy Baltak, regional lawyer of the “United Voices in Action” program in Vinnytsia oblast. 

“IDPs have been added to the list of material assistance and benefits recipients. There is no discrimination against IDPs in the context of receiving services. To use the programs, internally displaced persons should obtain an IDP certificate. The main services are information, counseling, representation, social support, and rehabilitation services,” said Mr. Baltak.

According to him, experts in Vinnytsia analyzed 11 local legal acts and found that 6 need amending — including the community charter.

The researchers will send their recommendations in an official letter to the local authorities. The proposals include amending the charter of the territorial community so that IDPs can participate in local government, as well as clarifying targeted programs and regulations that define the procedure for benefits and assistance to specific categories of people.

“The research and recommendations are a help, a hint on how to cooperate with IDPs so that their rights and interests mattered. This does not always require additional funding,” summarized Mr. Baltak.

Representatives of non-profit organizations, including the NGO “Association of IDPs “Common Cause” and the Advisory and Coordination Center “Bakhmut District Unites” who attended the presentation, thanked them for the research. In their opinion, the work is written in an accessible language. There is a lot of new information that they now want to work out on their own and then submit proposals to local authorities. The participants of the event also appreciated the scale of the study, said Eleonora Rudenko. 

In addition to Vinnytsia oblast, the study results will be presented in 14 other regions. The generalized recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, other state authorities, and local governments.