CAHR "Vested" is pleased to announce that following the Regional Forum "IDP Councils as an Instrument of Participation: Dialogue Between Authorities and Communities", which took place on June 17, 2026, in Uzhhorod, the RESOLUTION of the Regional Forum was prepared!
This document is the result of a fruitful discussion and analysis of key challenges faced by IDPs and IDP Councils:
Key challenges and systemic issues we draw attention to:
• Insufficient level of IDP involvement in decision-making processes and limited representation of their interests in the activities of public authorities.
• Uneven development and capacity of IDP Councils in communities, particularly due to limited resources, insufficient institutional support, and the lack of sustainable mechanisms for interaction with authorities.
• Low awareness among IDPs regarding their rights, opportunities to participate in community life, and the activities of Councils – up to 45% of respondents in major cities are entirely unaware of their existence.
• Limited feedback mechanisms between internally displaced persons, public authorities, and other stakeholders.
• The need to strengthen the staffing, organizational, and financial capacity of IDP Councils for the effective performance of their functions. The activities of most Councils rely solely on the personal enthusiasm of their leaders. The lack of financial and technical support and remuneration for technical staff leads to rapid burnout of activists.
• A critical need to update the voting addresses of IDPs to participate in local elections after the resumption of work of the State Register of Voters from January 1, 2026.
Recommendations for stakeholders and public authorities aimed at overcoming identified barriers and ensuring a sustainable multi-level dialogue:
To the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine:
• Harmonize and synchronize information regarding changes of voting address, eliminating the need for additional supporting documents.
• Align requirements regarding the file size of attachments for online application submissions.
• Support the CEC proposals regarding post-war elections: expanding opportunities for address changes, submitting applications via Diia, and extending the application deadline.
• Establish redirection algorithms for voting applications for voters from occupied territories.
To local self-government bodies and local state administrations:
• Ensure systemic support for IDP Councils and involve them in decision-making.
• Foster regular dialogue among authorities, IDP Councils, and civil society organizations.
• Integrate IDP needs into local development strategies and programs.
• Conduct monitoring of IDP needs and take them into account when shaping local policy.
• Introduce mandatory preliminary discussions of draft local budgets and programs with IDP Councils.
• Ensure transparent communication regarding decisions affecting IDPs and inform about their implementation.
• Guarantee the participation of IDP Council representatives in specialized committees and working groups with an advisory vote.
• Consider funding from local budgets for a paid position of Secretary/Coordinator of the IDP Council.
• Provide IDP Councils with unhindered access to equipped office spaces, office equipment, and the internet.
Prepare the infrastructure of the SRV and ASCs for peak loads:
• Provide for temporary staffing reinforcement of SRV bodies and ASCs during peak weeks of the electoral process.
• Implement extended working hours and designated windows for IDPs at ASCs.
• Organize mobile application processing units at collective centers / temporary accommodation centers (TACs).
• Equip the premises of SRV bodies and ASCs with backup power sources and communication channels.
To IDP Councils:
• Strengthening the role as a representative platform for IDPs.
• Regular collection and synthesis of information regarding IDP issues.
• Developing partnerships with LSGs and other stakeholders.
• Building the capacity of Council members through training and experience sharing.
• Information and educational activities regarding IDP rights.
• Monitoring the implementation of programs for IDPs.
• Promoting the implementation and dissemination of successful practices of IDP participation.
• Ensuring transparency of operations (plans, minutes, reports).
• Regular rotation/updating of Council membership (at least once every two years).
• Creating a unified info-booklet for IDPs (jointly with LSGs/ASCs).
To international donor and partner organizations:
• Continued support for the development and institutional capacity of IDP Councils.
• Facilitating training, mentoring, and experience-sharing programs.
• Supporting social cohesion and IDP integration projects.
• Expert and technical support for IDP participation mechanisms.
• Creating platforms for interregional exchange of experience between IDP Councils.
• Supporting initiatives based on community/IDP needs with a focus on sustainability.
• Encouraging partnerships among authorities, IDP Councils, civil society, and business.
• Implementing tools for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of IDP Councils.
• Supporting mentorship programs for newly established IDP Councils in small communities.
• Funding practical training for members of IDP Councils and LSGs (budgeting, monitoring, advocacy).
This Resolution, adopted by the forum participants on June 17, 2026, in the city of Uzhhorod, is an open document. It is sent to relevant ministries, the Central Election Commission, the Transcarpathian Regional Military Administration, local self-government bodies of Transcarpathian Oblast, as well as partner civil society organizations and media outlets for joint implementation.
We are confident that these steps will help amplify the voice of IDPs and ensure their full participation in building a peaceful future for Ukraine!
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The forum was organized as part of the project "Unity and Interaction: Strengthening the Advocacy and Institutional Capacity of IDP Councils in Transcarpathia" by the Carpathian Agency of Human Rights "Vested" with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. The material represents the position of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.