Assessment of Advocacy Potential and Institutional Capacity of Internally Displaced Persons' Councils in Zakarpattia Oblast
Year of publication: 2026
Type: Аналітичний звіт
Topic: Human rights

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Assessment of Advocacy Potential and Institutional Capacity of Internally Displaced Persons' Councils in Zakarpattia Oblast

Report prepared by:

Maria Mendzhul, Mykola Yatskov

About publication

This report presents the results of a comprehensive study on the advocacy potential and institutional capacity of IDP Councils in Zakarpattia Oblast, conducted between November 2025 and January 2026. The document analyzes the activities of 27 councils at various levels, focusing on their ability to influence decision-making, their interaction with government authorities, and the challenges hindering the effective integration of displaced persons into community life. Primary attention is given to the transformation of these bodies from a model of simple humanitarian aid toward strategic planning and the advocacy of long-term solutions in the sectors of housing and social protection.

Who will benefit?

  • Local authorities
  • Activists
  • Journalists

Key findings:

Despite the legitimization of IDP Councils through Resolution No. 812, their actual effectiveness remains highly uneven and dependent on the personal enthusiasm of their leaders. Only 10% of councils have an influence on the allocation of budget funds and, instead of systemic changes, are forced to focus on minor household issues. 50% of IDPs in large cities are not even aware of the existence of such councils, which indicates a significant communication gap between the advisory bodies and their target audience.