Advancing IDP-Inclusive Urban Recovery in Ukraine: Outcomes from the UNECE Webinar
On 26 November, UNECE hosted the webinar “From Displacement to Inclusion – Urban Strategies for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)”, the second session of the UNECE Series on Inclusive Urban Recovery in Ukraine. Organized under the UN4UkrainianCities project, in collaboration with IOM Ukraine, UNHCR Ukraine, UN-Habitat, and GIZ Ukraine, the event brought together national and local authorities, UN agencies, and international experts to discuss inclusive approaches to urban recovery. The webinar aimed to raise awareness about the impacts of displacement on urban environments, promote the integration of IDPs’ perspectives into urban planning and recovery processes, and highlight good practices and tools for inclusive urban responses to internal displacement.
High-level discussions on urban planning and IDPs
The session was structured around four main components:
Opening remarks;
Expert presentations on Planning for Displacement, Housing, Services, and Community Engagement;
Case study spotlights with examples from Vinnytsia (Ukraine) and Colombia;
Panel discussion on Ukrainian Realities and Opportunities for displacement-sensitive planning.
The opening segment featured Ms. Paola Deda, Director of the Forests, Land and Housing Division at UNECE, who stressed how displacement can turn into an opportunity if the crucial role of IDPs for community life is recognized, and Ms. Iryna Milash, Advisor on Integrated Urban Development, Spatial Planning and Mobility at the Just and Green Urban Recovery Accelerator, GIZ, who emphasized the importance of inclusive urban recovery strategies that provide adequate housing, strengthen social protection, and promote the long-term integration and empowerment of internally displaced persons.
Openings were followed by an Expert Presentations session, where Mr. Michael Newson, Head of Recovery & Development Programmes at IOM Ukraine, and Ms. Teri Smith, Senior Housing and Localization Officer at UNHCR Ukraine, explored key topics: the increased vulnerability faced by IDPs and the systemic barriers displaced people face in securing adequate housing, the importance of IDP integration into hosting communities, and how IDPs can become an asset for communities.
The Case Study Spotlight session included a presentation by Mr. Vladyslav Skalskyi, Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia, who showcased the city’s experience in addressing displacement through urban development, specifically focusing on how to handle businesses and companies and create conditions for self-realization for IDPs. Furthermore, Mr. Sebastián Restrepo Mendoza, PP Analyst for Climate Change at UN-Habitat, presented the Colombia Nation-Territory Case Study, highlighting lessons from diverse urban contexts and describing an aerial-based approach that considers both hosting communities and displaced people together.
Perspectives from Ukraine on IDP integration
The final session concluded with a dynamic Panel Discussion, where speakers addressed the central question on challenges and solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, exchanged perspectives with one another, and responded to audience questions in an interactive dialogue. It brought together Ms. Oksana Ovramenko, Director of the Department of Policy for the Protection of the Rights and Well-Being of Families and Children at the Ministry of Social Policy; Ms. Liudmyla Yaremchuk, Expert on Social Protection at the Association of Ukrainian Cities; Ms. Svitlana Olshanska, First Deputy Mayor of Zhytomyr; Mr. Konstantin Korotych from Deputy Director at the Department of Housing and Communal Services of Kharkiv; and Ms. Ksenia Gedz, Advocacy Coordinator at the NGO “Right to Protection”.
Topics included the distinct needs and characteristics of IDPs located in rural and urban areas, the importance of addressing the needs of displaced families, and the need to adopt a holistic approach to address their situation. Also, attention was given to the physical and mental health sphere and the provision of employment to IDPs. Overall, speakers stressed the importance of not only providing housing solutions but also ensuring the proper inclusion of IDPs in their host communities, making them an asset and resource for other groups. The speakers explored pathways to ensuring Ukrainian cities can become safe, resilient, and empowering environments for displaced populations.
Looking ahead
The event brought together 11 speakers and 68 attendees from 22 countries, with 48% joining from Ukraine. The countries with the highest rates of participation included Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. This figure demonstrates the relevance of the topic not only to the discussion in Ukraine but also to the broader international community. Women accounted for 53% of attendees, marking a balanced participation and strong interest in internal displacement and urban inclusion.
The webinar series will continue in the coming months, with the next session on “Disability-Inclusive Planning and Resilient Cities”, scheduled for 29 January 2026.
Stay tuned to discover the topics and dates of the following events!