The President of Ukraine has signed the Law ‘On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Democracy at the Local Government Level’, which significantly affects the integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into local communities. From now on, IDPs are considered full-fledged residents of the communities where they actually live, the Ombudsman’s Office said.
This law, aimed at developing democracy at the local level, allows every citizen to participate in local decision-making. The definition of a ‘community resident’ is now officially enshrined in the law, opening up new opportunities for IDPs in public life.
Read also:Scholarships up to 500 USD for IDPs: Enhance Your Skills Today
Community residents can participate in general meetings, budget planning and allocation, public hearings and public consultations, as well as in the work of advisory bodies. In addition, the Law obliges communities to approve charters, improves the mechanisms for submitting local initiatives, and encourages youth to participate in local government.
This step has become an important part of the policy of integrating IDPs and strengthening local democracy by enabling them to actively participate in the life of their communities.
See also: Top 5 services for idps from the employment service
