Diaspora Engagement and Facilitating Voluntary Return: A Side Event on Cooperation with Ukrainians Abroad Held on the Margins of URC 2026

On 24 June, as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC 2026) in Gdańsk, a side event titled "Ukrainians Abroad: Diaspora Engagement and Facilitating Voluntary Return" took place, organised by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international partners.

The event brought together Ilona Havronska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine for European Integration; Ylva Johansson, EU Special Envoy for Ukrainians; Robert Turner, Chief of Mission of IOM Ukraine; Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine; Violeta Wagner, Regional Portfolio Manager for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at ICMPD; Hanna Nickel, Director of the GIZ project "YOUA — Shaping New Pathways, Building Ukraine's Future."

"For the state, Ukrainians abroad remain an integral part of Ukrainian society — this is the basic principle of our policy. A person may today live in Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Stockholm or any other city, while maintaining a strong connection with Ukraine. Moreover, the longer the stay in another country lasts, the more important it becomes to maintain this connection — in a structured, practical manner and with respect for the choices and circumstances of each individual," said Ilona Havronska.

In this context, the Deputy Minister outlined the directions of state policy regarding Ukrainians abroad: facilitating voluntary return, as well as maintaining ties with Ukraine. Ilona Havronska also spoke about the key instruments the Ministry is developing to implement this policy. Among them is the development of the Unity Network of Ukrainians, whose core element is the Unity Hubs.

In turn, Ylva Johansson emphasised that Ukrainians in Europe are not only recipients of support, but also people who make a significant contribution to the development of their host countries. At the same time, Ukrainians abroad serve as a kind of “human bridge" connecting Ukraine with the EU and playing an important role both in the country's recovery and in its European integration.

Ylva Johansson also announced that a proposal from the European Commission on extending temporary protection for Ukrainians in EU countries is expected soon. According to her, this is an important step that will help Ukrainians avoid uncertainty and provide them with a stable legal basis for their stay in European countries for as long as the war continues.

The side event also featured the presentation of the concept of the "Dodomu" digital platform for Ukrainians considering return. It was developed by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine within the framework of the "YOUA — Shaping New Pathways, Building Ukraine's Future" project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Government of Germany. The platform is scheduled to launch in pilot mode within the framework of URC 2026.

"People are at the heart of the YOUA project. We strive to ensure that every Ukrainian abroad has access to information, support and opportunities to maintain their connection with Ukraine. At the same time, we work with communities and state institutions to strengthen their readiness for future reintegration. After all, the recovery of Ukraine is, above all, the restoration of human connections, trust and a shared vision of the future," added Hanna Nickel.

The event also presented the work carried out within the Diaspora Alliance for Recovery of Ukraine, which was launched at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC 2025) and currently brings together 41 member and partner organisations, including state institutions, international organisations and diaspora networks from around the world. The Alliance serves as a key coordination platform aligning the efforts of the diaspora with national priorities.

"Ukrainians abroad are an integral part of Ukraine's future. By strengthening these ties and creating opportunities for their contribution, we can turn mobility into a powerful driver of recovery and renewal," said Robert Turner, Chief of Mission of IOM in Ukraine.

The event "Ukrainians Abroad: Diaspora Engagement and Facilitating Voluntary Return" was organised by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), BDO Ukraine, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

For reference

The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) is an annual practical platform where international support is transformed into concrete solutions: investments, partnerships, financial instruments, projects and production. URC 2026 in Gdańsk focuses on five thematic dimensions: business, the human dimension, the EU dimension, the local and regional dimension, and — for the first time this year — the security and defence dimension. Particular attention is given to the sectors most affected by Russian aggression: energy, critical infrastructure and logistics.

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