Summer School Boosts Ukraine IDP Rights Protection
A targeted Summer School initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation between civil society organisations (CSOs) and local self-government bodies has successfully concluded in Chernivtsi. The event, held from 18 to 22 August, focused on enhancing capacities and promoting effective collaboration to better safeguard the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in Ukraine.
Event Organisation and Partnerships
The Summer School was organised under the Council of Europe Project “Facilitating access to human rights and essential services for internally displaced persons and returnees to Ukraine.” Key partners included the NGO “GROUP OF INFLUENCE”, and the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.
These organisations collaborated to deliver a comprehensive training program tailored to the needs of active CSOs and local government representatives.
Training Curriculum and Key Topics
Led by national consultants from the Council of Europe Project, the training covered a wide array of subjects crucial for IDP support:
– Legal Frameworks: Familiarising participants with European standards and Ukrainian legislation in IDP protection, as well as the activities and significance of the Register of Damage for Ukraine.
– Practical Tools: Equipping participants with effective local-level support strategies for IDPs and methods for assessing the impact of local programs on IDP needs.
– Advocacy and Participation: Exploring methods for advocacy and local engagement through IDP councils, and building coalitions among CSOs for enhanced collaboration.
– Information and Support: Improving information accessibility for IDPs, techniques for countering professional burnout, and trauma-informed approaches to human rights access.
Resources and Materials
The training drew upon resources developed within the Council of Europe’s projects, including:
– A series of posters on resilience and recovery
– Methodological recommendations for analysing local programmes (May 2025)
– A special report by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on educational access for children from temporarily occupied territories (2025)
Outcomes and Next Steps
As a result of the Summer School, participants-with the support of trainers-developed inputs for a joint policy document. This document outlines necessary state measures to ensure the protection of IDP rights and access to essential services.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the Council of Europe, NGO “GROUP OF INFLUENCE,” and the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine to empowering local actors in their support for Ukraine’s IDPs.
https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/summer-school-fortifies-local-efforts-to-protect-rights-of-ukraine-s-idps