Міністерство соціальної політики України

🇯🇵 A Ukrainian delegation headed by Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych on an official visit to Japan. The delegation also includes Deputy Minister Iryna Postolovska, Director General of the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities Vitaliy Muzychenko, and other specialists from the Ministry.  🔹 The purpose of the visit is to study Japan's experience in long-term care, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, social protection for the elderly, and supported living, as well as to establish strategic partnerships with Japanese institutions.  💬 "We are grateful to Japan for its consistent humanitarian and financial support. Today, Ukraine needs a new model of social policy — one that includes long-term community care, effective rehabilitation for veterans, and the integration of people with disabilities. These are our priorities," said Oksana Zholnovych.  On the first day, the delegation held a series of important meetings and visits, including with Shigehiro Hara, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He wished the Ukrainian delegation a productive stay in Japan.  🤝 The visit is expected to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation between Ukraine and Japan in the field of social protection for vulnerable groups.

🇺🇦 Ukraine’s #SocialRecovery Through a Human-Centered Lens: Key Takeaways from the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome On July 10–11, the Ukraine #Recovery Conference 2025 brought together representatives from over 100 countries, organizations, and communities in Rome to shape a comprehensive vision for rebuilding Ukraine. One of the four strategic pillars of the conference — the Human Dimension — became central to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine. 💬 "Recovery is about people. Every person matters. It is an investment in #HumanCapital that ensures economic resilience, social cohesion, and the future of Ukraine," emphasized Minister Oksana Zholnovych. 📌 Key outcomes of URC 2025: 🔹 €200 million loan agreement was signed between the Ministry of Social Policy and the CEB - Council of Europe Development Bank — the largest CEB financial package for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The funding will support housing, essential needs, and the implementation of national policy for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The funding will support housing, essential needs, and the implementation of national policy for internally displaced persons (IDPs). 🔹 A Memorandum of Understanding with Italy was signed to advance reforms in the rights for #PeopleWithDisabilities and supported living, another step toward a more #inclusive recovery. 📣 As part of the Human Dimension, a key panel discussion — “Strengthening Social Fabric: Advancing Inclusion and #SocialCohesion in Ukraine’s Recovery” — was hosted by Iryna Postolovska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy, and brought together Ukrainian and international experts. Among the speakers: – Alessandra Locatelli, Minister for Disabilities of Italy, shared a strategic vision for a radical shift in the social inclusion of persons with disabilities – Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General for Jobs, Skills and Social Policies at the European Commission – Kyrylo Nevdokha, Head of the National Office of Children and Youth — spoke on inclusive services for children and youth, emphasizing deinstitutionalization and the importance of including voices with lived experience – Uliana Pcholkina, Chair of the Board of the Public Union The League of the Strong — highlighted inclusive services for persons with disabilities and shared her personal experience during Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine – Carlo Monticelli, Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank The discussion explored the expansion of services for #IDPs, veterans, people with disabilities, and families with children, the development of the care economy at the community level, improved access to inclusive housing, and the transition from institutional care to supported living models. #URC2025 is not just about ideas — it's about action. Concrete solutions, partnerships, and financing are already strengthening Ukraine’s social infrastructure, putting people at the heart of recovery.

Strengthening resilience, starting with those who provide support 🌱 A two-day workshop in Kyiv brought together representatives of the National Social Service’s regional bodies to improve the monitoring of resilience services delivered in communities across Ukraine. The programme covered key elements of monitoring, ethical principles, service documentation, and burnout prevention - including the development of a supervision model to support frontline staff. Organised by the Ministry of Social Policy, the National Social Service of Ukraine, UNICEF Ukraine and NGO VGC “Volunteer”, this event is part of our shared commitment to delivering effective, people-centred social services - even in the most challenging times. 📍 Resilience Centres are part of the All-Ukrainian mental health programme “How are you?” initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.

🤝 The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Карітас України network of charitable organizations have agreed on further steps to develop the social services system in Ukraine. Meeting participants discussed transitioning the resilience-building social service from a pilot format to a permanent state service, expanding psychosocial support programs for children and adolescents, new models of supported living for internally displaced persons, and approaches to employment for people with disabilities. Special attention was given to developing home care services and supporting caregivers, as well as increasing community interest in procuring social services. Caritas Ukraine is one of the first non-state providers of social services funded by the state budget. The network’s organizations deliver resilience-building, supported living, home care, and other forms of assistance. In particular, as part of the resilience-building service, Caritas operates 69 Resilience Centres across Ukraine. These spaces function in large cities, small communities, and villages, and are open to everyone – regardless of age, status, or life circumstances. Here, people can access professional psychological and social support, recovery resources, and the strength of community 🫂 The partners stressed the importance of expanding cooperation now – at a time when Ukraine needs systemic solutions, trust between the state and its people, and support accessible to all. Details: https://bit.ly/3TiiRrl

The 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child took place in Brussels under the theme “Protecting Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies for the Present and Future of the EU.” The forum aimed to assess progress in implementing the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, identify current challenges, and set new priorities in the context of social resilience, intergenerational equity, and the safeguarding of children’s rights both within and beyond the EU 🇪🇺 Participants included ombudspersons for children’s rights, government representatives, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of international organizations, civil society, as well as children and youth from all EU Member States. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine was represented by Deputy Minister for European Integration, Iryna Postolovska. In her remarks, Iryna Postolovska emphasized that the war has only increased the urgency of reforming the childcare system in Ukraine. The country is facing unprecedented challenges in protecting children’s rights, and it is through strong partnerships with international organizations that Ukraine is adopting global best practices to respond effectively. She aded that the global response to violations of children’s rights must be based on uniting the efforts of governments, international organizations, civil society, and children themselves. 🔎 Read more: https://bit.ly/4kh4JJG

CDTO of the The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine Anatolii Komirnoy held a meeting with representatives of the global technology company in the payment industry, Mastercard: Vice President for Business Development Engin Y. and Director of Government Relations in Ukraine and Moldova Kristina Prasolova.  🌐 Among the topics discussed were tools for forecasting social support needs, the use of artificial intelligence for processing large volumes of data, as well as opportunities for cybersecurity and fraud prevention.  Anatoliy Komirnyi spoke about the importance of the Unified Information System of the Social Sector (UISSS), which already integrates key registries and allows for the assignment of most types of assistance without paper documents. At the same time, the CDTO of the Ministry outlined new tasks for further digital transformation — predicting needs, risk management, and analytical modules. For people, it is critically important that the social support system is not only fast and transparent but also understandable and accessible.  The meeting was the first step toward potential cooperation, which will help make the social support system in Ukraine even more efficient, secure, and people-oriented 🤝 Details: https://bit.ly/40eOHsX

A new Resilience Centre opens in Kyiv for residents of the relocated Markivka community from Luhansk Oblast. 🤝 In partnership with Caritas-Kyiv, a new Resilience Centre has opened in the capital to provide psychosocial support for people who were forcibly displaced from Luhansk Oblast due to the war. The Centre also welcomes local residents — anyone in need of professional support can access free services at 15 Berlynskoho Street, Kyiv. The space offers psychological and social counselling, group activities, workshops, and sessions for both children and adults — all designed to foster recovery, connection, and adaptation in a new environment 🫂 This initiative is part of the nationwide mental health programme “How Are You?”, led by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine under the patronage of First Lady Olena Zelenska. Read more: https://bit.ly/3HUmhhz

🤝 The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and World Food Programme discussed new areas of cooperation. Among the priorities is the digitalization of the social sphere, which will strengthen already implemented initiatives and provide more effective support to those in need.  The meeting was attended by Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych, CDTO of the Ministry Anatolii Komirnoy, as well as WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain and WFP Ukraine Country Director Richard Ragan.  Since 2022, WFP has supported digitalization — when the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere (UISSS) was piloted at the onset of the full-scale invasion 🌐 The system became a key tool for rapid response to the needs of Ukrainians amid constant and unprecedented challenges.  As part of the cooperation between the Ministry of Social Policy and WFP, a unique initiative has been implemented that leverages modern digital solutions to provide effective targeted social assistance. This initiative can serve as a model for other countries facing crises.  Details: https://bit.ly/4ef4g9w