A Volunteer Development Programme Will Be Launched in Ukraine

The First National Forum of Volunteer Councils is taking place in Lutsk. Representatives of volunteer communities from across Ukraine, along with government officials and international partners, have gathered to jointly work on the future of the volunteer sector.

The Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Denis Uliutin expressed his gratitude to Ukraine`s defenders, thanks to whom the state is able to plan its future. He also noted that since 2014 the volunteer movement has demonstrated the strengthening of Ukrainian society`s self-organization and its readiness to take responsibility for addressing the challenges during the most difficult times.

“Volunteers are people who don`t need to be told why helping others matters. They are people who can unite in a second and do what the state sometimes does not have time to do. One of the reasons we gather here today is to bring together these separate elements into one powerful force. It is extremely important for the state to maintain a constant dialogue with volunteers. Many issues – both at the legislative and coordination levels – need to be addressed jointly, complementing each other,” the Minister emphasized.

Denys Uliutin noted that the state and volunteers must jointly develop a shared vision for the development of the volunteer movement.

“One of the key elements we must develop together is the protection of the families of volunteers who have lost their lives. These issues should be integrated into the overall system of the volunteer movement,” the Minister said.

During the event, the Volunteer Development Programme in Ukraine and the future Volunteer Council under the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity were also presented.

The event is being held at the initiative of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity and in cooperation with the “Pomahaem” Charitable Foundation, the Swedish Help Center, the National Social Service of Ukraine, the East Europe Foundation, and the Volyn Regional State Administration.

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