Unity and Interaction: Strengthening Advocacy and Institutional Capacity of IDP Councils in Zakarpattia

The direct target group includes representatives and activists of IDP Councils in Zakarpattia Oblast who need legal and mentoring support. Indirectly, the project targets representatives of local self-government and executive authorities of Zakarpattia Oblast, as well as other CSOs and local media.

IDP Council under the Zakarpattia Oblast State Administration, 

CSO “Zakarpattia-Donbas”

As a result of the project's implementation, at least 10 IDP Councils in Zakarpattia Oblast will strengthen their capacity to represent the interests of internally displaced persons, utilize tools for public participation, plan advocacy campaigns, and interact with authorities during the preparation and adoption of local decisions.

Representatives of the IDP Councils will gain practical skills in problem analysis, formulating advocacy goals, monitoring local decisions, strategies, and operational plans. Four Councils will apply these skills when evaluating the implementation of their own strategic documents, and two Councils will develop activity strategies and annual operational plans.

Thanks to consulting and mentoring support, the IDP Councils will be able to prepare and implement their own advocacy initiatives, reasonably represent the needs of displaced persons, and propose practical solutions to authorities regarding their integration and rights protection.

A study of the IDP Councils' activities will help identify their needs, level of involvement in decision-making, and successful practices. The findings and recommendations will form the basis for the further development of the Councils and the improvement of their interaction with local self-government bodies and civil society.

The project will also promote a more regular and substantive dialogue between IDP Councils and authorities, ensuring that the needs and interests of displaced persons are better considered in local programs, strategies, and decisions.