Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv region has hosted more than 300 thousand IDPs from Donetska, Luhanska, Kharkivska and Khersonska oblasts.

Supporting IDPs, protecting their rights, and organizing a life in a new community are the issues that are of the greatest concern to internally displaced persons (IDPs). This was discussed during the regional forum “IDPs’ integration in Kyivska oblast: issues, solutions and the role of the IDP Council”. The event was organized by the team of the United Voices in Action program.

For the first time this year, IDPs, representatives of local authorities, business, charitable foundations, and NGOs gathered in Kyivska oblast to discuss the issues of support for internally displaced persons in Kyivska oblast. According to Oleksandr Yavtushenko, regional coordinator of the United Voices in Action program, the forum aims to unite the authorities, the public and IDPs to effectively address the problems of IDPs and to integrate them in Kyiv region:

Oleksandr Yavtushenko

IDP councils should be established in Kyiv and Kyivska oblast. This will help integrate IDPs into the community and involve them in decision-making and participation in the social and political life of the region. An IDP council is a platform for communication that unites the interests of IDPs, local authorities and civil society institutions working with IDPs. The government, the public and business will have a transparent tool to convene support of international partners and grant funds for the integration of IDPs.

Kyiv already has a successful experience of creating an IDP council. Such an advisory body exists in Obolon district of the capital. Kyrylo Fesyk, the head of Obolon District State Administration, spoke about the results:

Kyrylo Fesyk

Within almost three months we have developed a strategic plan that addresses the realization of housing and property rights of IDPs, the realization of their right to social protection, employment and education for IDPs, and the creation of conditions for integration. We also conducted a survey to find out the needs of IDPs and will engage donors and NGOs in our work.

Everyday and social life of internally displaced persons in Kyivska oblast depends on the intensity of cooperation between business, government and IDPs. Therefore, it is necessary to create IDP councils in different districts of Kyiv.Currently, the team of the United Voices in Action program is establishing initiative groups that will become members of future IDP councils in the capital and other communities of the oblast. 35 participants of the

forum signed a resolution to encourage local authorities to establish new IDP councils in Kyiv and Kyivska oblast.

The organizers of the forum “IDPs’ integration in Kyivska oblast: issues, solutions and the role of the IDP Council” express special gratitude to Violetta Artemchuk,, and Maria Krasnenko,”, for their assistance in organizing the event and active participation.

The event was held in the frames of the United Voices in Action program implemented by IREX in Ukraine together with Charitable organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.