On September 25, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, together with the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine and the Polish Legal Clinics Foundation, hosted a workshop focused on support for Ukrainian refugees and IDPs, titled “Enhancing Support for IDPs and Refugees: The Power of an Interdisciplinary Approach”.
The workshop focused on practical ways to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, showing how teamwork across different fields can make a big difference. Part of the projects “Strengthening the Rights of Ukrainian IDPs and Refugees through Public Legal Education” and “Standing with Ukraine by Providing Enhanced Rights Protection for IDPs and Refugees” the event emphasized how combining knowledge from various areas leads to better solutions for those in need.
Strengthening IDP Councils in Ukraine
Liudmyla Rudenko, head of the Law Clinic of Sumy State University, and member of the Council of the IDPs of the Sumy City Territorial Community, discussed her project aimed at empowering IDP councils across Ukraine. IDP Councils are a unique model pioneered in Ukraine, which serve as advisory bodies to local authorities, and are crucial in advocating for the rights of displaced people.
Liudmila explained the key challenges faced by IDPs, such as housing shortages, unemployment, and limited healthcare access. Her project focuses on providing council members with training in areas like local governance and advocacy, ensuring they have the skills needed to represent their communities effectively.
One success story comes from the Sumy IDP Council, which has made progress in improving local services for IDPs. However, challenges such as a lack of affordable housing remain significant. Liudmila emphasized that an interdisciplinary approach — integrating legal, social, and psychological support – is vital for making lasting improvements.
Social and Legal Support in Sweden
Representing Unga Forum, Sonja Román, a lawyer at Skåne Stadsmission shared how her organization supports individuals who find themselves in some form of vulnerability. Unga Forum offers legal counseling, material assistance, and social integration activities to help these individuals navigate complex systems and regain stability.
One key initiative, Housing First for Families, helps displaced families secure permanent housing, a critical step in rebuilding their lives. Sonja emphasized the importance of flexibility and interdisciplinary collaboration, which allows Unga Forum to adapt its services to meet the changing needs of the people it serves. This holistic approach ensures that refugees receive comprehensive support — from legal aid to community integration.
Protecting IDPs’ Rights in Ukraine
Mikhailo Bogomolov, head of the Vinnytsia regional branch of the NGO “VPO (IDPs) of Ukraine”, discussed his organization’s focus on protecting the rights of IDPs through legal, psychological, and humanitarian assistance. The project is not just about emergency relief — it also works on long-term solutions, such as employment opportunities and digital literacy training to help IDPs gain the skills they need to rebuild their futures.
Mikhailo’s organization works with local authorities, employment centers, and international organizations. This collaboration ensures a coordinated effort to address the complex needs of displaced populations. By sharing experiences and best practices with others, they help to improve the well-being and integration of IDPs in Ukraine.
Comparative Analysis of European Responses
Åsne Danielsen, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) at OsloMet presented her research “Government responses to high influxes of protection seekers” comparing how eight European countries, including Norway, Sweden, and Poland, responded to large refugee influxes, focusing on the 2015-2016 crisis and the recent surge of Ukrainian refugees. Her project analyzes policy changes in areas like immigration, healthcare, and housing, offering valuable insights into how governments can improve their responses to displaced populations.
Åsne’s findings reveal that interdisciplinary research and collaboration are essential. These approaches create policies that address immediate needs and support long-term integration.
The project’s insights are helping shape more effective approaches to migration and refugee management across Europe.
The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
This workshop underscored the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by IDPs and refugees. From strengthening IDPs councils in Ukraine to holistic support services in Sweden, real-world examples demonstrated that combining expertise from different fields leads to more comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
By collaborating across legal, social, and policy sectors, organizations can better address the complex issues displaced populations face. As projects evolve, the emphasis on collaboration and adaptability will be key to ensuring IDPs and refugees receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Featured image: by Diana Vyshniakova on Unsplash