Serhiy Koretsky Takes Office Again
Serhiy Koretsky has announced his reappointment as Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity. Having held the position for one year, he highlighted several key initiatives aimed at supporting the population, especially internally displaced persons (IDPs). For instance, the state covered 70% of the first housing installment for an IDP family from Mariupol, with hundreds more families receiving similar compensation.
Over the past year, the government developed a National Strategy for Internal Displacement Policy through 2030 and opened the first two Unity Centers. Koretsky noted that these efforts also encourage Ukrainians living abroad to voluntarily return home.
- Childbirth benefits have been increased to better support families.
- The 'eYasla' program was introduced to improve early childhood services.
- Financial support for foster parents and parent-educators nearly doubled.
- The 'Family Home' project was launched to strengthen family care options.
This year, over 11,000 people received prosthetics through a state program, and 97 new Resilience Centers opened across Ukraine, bringing the total to 369 nationwide. Koretsky emphasized that
“social policy is about whether the state stands by you in times of crisis and helps you regain control of your life”– Serhiy Koretsky.
A draft law has also been prepared to change how pensions are calculated. According to Koretsky, this
“lays the groundwork for a fair pension system for decades to come”. The year also saw success in attracting international investment, with the SPIRIT project bringing $880 million into the social sector. Additionally, salaries for nearly 80,000 social workers rose by an average of 31%.
“This year gave us a powerful start and laid the foundation for change,” Koretsky said, summing up his first year in office.
The Importance of Social Initiatives
Koretsky’s reappointment underscores the government’s focus on social initiatives amid Ukraine’s ongoing challenges. Programs aiding IDPs and families, the expansion of support centers, and higher wages for social workers all point to a growing state commitment to social issues. Securing international investment further strengthens social policy and provides resources for continued reforms.
As the government continues to prioritize social support, recent announcements from the Prime Minister highlight the critical areas of focus for the upcoming year. Notably, military resilience, winter preparedness, and social payments are set to be key themes in the government's strategy. For further insights into these essential priorities, explore the full details in our report on Ukraine's new PM's top priorities.