The Ministry of Social Policy and UNICEF Continue Cooperation in Child Protection and Social Services Development

Today, on July 25, Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, Denys Ulyutin, met with Munir Mammadzade, Head of the UNICEF Representative Office in Ukraine. The parties discussed further cooperation and key priorities for reforms in child protection and social services development.

The Minister expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s long-standing support and strategic partnership in implementing reforms aimed at protecting children, supporting families, and developing social services amid the war.

"I would like to acknowledge UNICEF’s enduring and consistent support, especially in the face of wartime challenges. Our shared task is not only to sustain the social services system but to significantly strengthen it. I sincerely hope our partnership will deepen further, particularly in modernizing social services at the community level, taking into account people’s needs, as well as addressing long-standing gaps in social protection," said Denys Ulyutin.

He emphasized that the Ministry will focus, among other things, on implementing reforms to shift from status-based social assistance to needs-based support. The Minister proposed that UNICEF support these changes, including by strengthening communication efforts around the reforms.

"We highly value our strategic partnership with the Ministry and aim not only to support but also to expand joint initiatives. In particular, we are working together to make the social protection system more resilient and capable of effectively responding to challenges, as well as advancing reforms in child protection. Together with key partners such as the United Kingdom, the World Bank, the European Union and its member states, and civil society, we are implementing modern, inclusive approaches to cash assistance, social services, and services for children and families, tailored to their real needs," said Munir Mammadzade, Head of the UNICEF Representative Office in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Social Policy and UNICEF will continue cooperation in key areas, including the development of social services in communities, support for family-based care, services for children with disabilities, digitalization of the social sector, protection of evacuated children, financial assistance to vulnerable families, and more.

The parties agreed to hold another meeting to discuss a shared vision for further reforms and cooperation priorities in line with the Ministry’s updated mandate.

It is worth recalling that the UK Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy, UNICEF, and the World Bank, has launched the SPIRIT program. This initiative unites efforts in economic and social policy to support the most vulnerable groups and address war-related challenges. It covers three key areas: supporting reforms through the Office of Social Recovery and expert teams, improving payments and services for families, children, and persons with disabilities, and developing modern social services in communities through digital transformation and a small grants program.

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