Developing Social Services, Supporting Communities, and Preparing for the Return of Ukrainians: Ministry of Social Policy and UNDP Strengthen Cooperation

The team of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, led by Minister Denys Uliutin, held a meeting with the UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, Auke Lootsma.

During the meeting, the parties discussed priorities for further cooperation, particularly in the development of social services, support for people affected by the war, digitalization of the social sector, as well as community-level recovery and preparation for the return of Ukrainians.

“We understand that resources are limited while needs remain extremely high. That is why coordination with partners and the development of sustainable social services that respond to people’s real needs are key priorities for us. We aim to transition to a model of support based on individual needs assessment rather than formal status categories,” the Minister noted.

According to him, one of the key priorities is the development of integrated social services at the community level, including the establishment of comprehensive service centers that combine social, psychosocial, legal, and other types of support. The Ministry is working on creating a unified national catalogue of social services, developing digital case management, and integrating benefits and services into a single support model.

The meeting also addressed strengthening systemic solutions in rehabilitation and social support for people affected by the war.

“It is important for us to strengthen the support system for people affected by the war, including those released from captivity and persons with disabilities. This includes long-term rehabilitation, high-quality standards for social services, professional training and proper support for specialists. Investment in social workers is a key prerequisite for building a resilient support system,” Denys Uliutin emphasized.

In addition, the Minister proposed focusing further cooperation with UNDP on facilitating the return of Ukrainians and supporting recovery at the community level to ensure that assistance is closely aligned with people’s needs and contributes to their integration locally.

In this context, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity for European Integration Ilona Havronska stressed that the Government of Ukraine is already preparing for a potential increase in the number of Ukrainians returning home.

“We understand that we must be ready for the return of Ukrainians from abroad as soon as security conditions allow. Support for returnees should be directed primarily to the communities they arrive in. That is why it is essential to link return programmes with local recovery approaches. Such assistance must be accountable, transparent, and truly effective in supporting people’s integration into communities,” Ilona Havronska added.

For his part, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Auke Lootsma emphasized the importance of further strengthening the partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine and confirmed UNDP’s readiness to continue supporting the development of social services, digital solutions, and recovery programmes at both national and local levels. He also commended the efforts of Ukrainian communities and public institutions that continue to deliver services despite the war and underlined the importance of developing inclusive and accessible services for all population groups.