The Main Problem of Displaced Persons from Donetsk and Luhansk Has Been Identified

Event in Kyiv: "How to Strengthen the Role of IDPs from Donetsk and Luhansk in Recovery"

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: On July 22, an event titled "How to Strengthen the Role of IDPs from Donetsk and Luhansk in Recovery" took place in Kyiv. The event was organized by the public organizations "Eastern Variant" and "Window of Recovery" as part of the "Impulse" project. During the event, research was presented, a panel discussion was held, and a facilitated session was conducted. The research is titled "Map of Problems and Solutions: Experience of IDPs and Institutional Perspectives of Recovery," and was prepared based on ten online focus groups conducted in January 2026.

62 individuals participated in the focus groups, including IDPs from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, representatives of authorities, media, and public organizations. The research indicated that the institutional vision of IDPs does not align with how the displaced persons describe their own lives. Participants of the discussion noted that women more often spoke about the loss of social ties, emotional exhaustion, and children's safety, while men focused on legislation, compensation, and the restoration of professional status. Housing was identified as a basic prerequisite for the integration of IDPs. Journalist from "Window of Recovery" Karina Popova emphasized that without resolving housing issues, it is impossible to find a job or enroll a child in kindergarten.

Panel Discussion and Recommendations

During the panel discussion titled "Integration of Forced Displaced Persons and Impact on Recovery: Challenges and Cases," Yaroslav Taranets, a representative of the charitable foundation "East SOS," raised the issue of compensation for property left in temporarily occupied territories. He stressed the need to create a system for recording property losses. Deputy Director of the Department of Social and Veteran Policy of Rivne City Council, Tetiana Horbatyuk, spoke about the program for integrating IDPs in Rivne, which includes returning part of the tax paid by employed displaced persons and working with emergency response groups that contact evacuated citizens.

Researchers recommend transforming universal support programs for IDPs into segmented ones by categories, as well as developing protocols for intensive onboarding, especially for youth. The facilitated session was moderated by sociologist Alla Petrenko-Lysak, during which participants modeled the routes of hypothetical IDP characters in a new community over periods from a week to a year. The most common "place of power" participants identified was the Administrative Services Center, while school was seen as the point of greatest tension due to bullying and bureaucracy.

The material was prepared within the framework of the "Impulse" project, implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation, with funding from Norway (Norad) and Sweden (Sida).

This event highlights the importance of considering the opinions and experiences of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the recovery processes taking place in Ukraine. Addressing their needs and challenges, as well as integrating specific support programs, can significantly impact the success of reintegration and recovery processes. The results of the research can serve as a basis for developing more effective policies and programs aimed at supporting IDPs and their adaptation to new conditions. It is also crucial that state institutions and public organizations continue to collaborate in this area to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing the problems faced by displaced persons.

In light of the ongoing challenges faced by internally displaced persons, the recent event in Kyiv highlighted critical issues that resonate with the experiences of many, including those from other regions. For instance, displaced residents from Izium have also been seeking essential assistance regarding living conditions. Understanding the various forms of support available can be crucial for improving the quality of life for these individuals. To learn more about the guidance provided to residents from Izium, you can read further on living assistance.