On July 19, in Khmelnytskyi, experts of the “United Voices in Action” program, implemented by IREX together with the “Stabilization Support Services” charity foundation and supported by 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 reviewed 193 legal acts of 25 communities in 15 regions of Ukraine, including Khmelnytskyi. Due to the unclear definitions of “territorial community member” and “permanent residence” terms, IDPs are limited in their right to participate in local governance and are devoid of some social benefits. 

According to Serhiy Yatskovskyi, regional coordinator of the “United Voices in Action” program, 137,000 IDPs are registered in Khmelnytskyi. Polls show that more than half of them plan to continue living in the region.

“The study has shown that most of the regulatory documents at the local level need changes. We are talking about limited participation in local governance. There are also restrictions on the IDPs’ right to receive certain social services specified in local targeted programs,” says Serhiy Yatskovskyi.

Today, the Khmelnytskyi city community unites not only the regional center but also other settlements. The charter of this territorial community states that the community is a set of all residents united by permanent residence within the city. Only under this condition can they participate in self-government. IDPs are limited in this right, Yatskovsky adds. 

Representatives of the “United Voices in Action” program approached the city council with proposals to revise the charter, and the first meetings have already taken place. The charter of Kamianets-Podilskyi also needs to be changed.

“We are already implementing the recommendations, as the charter was adopted in 2018 and requires many changes. The working group is working on changes, including those related to the rights of IDPs. The comments are correct and will be taken into account. Later, the city council will approve this status at its session. We are also ready to change social support programs,” said Khmelnytskyi Deputy Mayor Mykhailo Kryvak.

Changes have already been made to the city’s “Pikluvannia” (“Care”) program, which provides financial assistance to needy people. The document was recently revised on the recommendation of researchers. Now the basis for assistance is registration in Khmelnytskyi and a certificate of IDP registration.

IDPs are also not restricted in their right to receive one-time financial assistance for treatment, although this is not spelled out in the regulation, emphasizes Mykhailo Kryvak. The basis for this can be not only registration in the community, but also a certificate of permanent residence.

Oksana Kizayeva, a representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Khmelnytskyi region, also joined the presentation of the large-scale study. She presented the results of monitoring visits to places of compact residence (CCs) of IDPs in Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi communities. The local authorities help to ensure proper living conditions and respect for the rights of IDPs, humanitarian aid is being delivered to CCs, but a comprehensive approach to solving problems in the long term is needed. 

“We conducted more than 100 anonymous surveys of IDPs, which confirmed the need for local governments to intensify the integration of IDPs into their communities. Most of all, IDPs are concerned about employment, especially in their specialty. We can overcome these problems only in cooperation with local authorities. And one of the mechanisms of such cooperation is the IDP Councils established in Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi,” emphasized Oksana Kizayeva. 

In the end, the participants agreed that communities should move from meeting the priority needs to the deep integration of IDPs, as many people will have no place to return to. Both national and local integration programs are needed.

In addition to the Khmelnytskyi region, the researchers will present the study results in 14 other regions where it was conducted and submit the generalized recommendations to the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, other state authorities, and local governments.