On 27-29 July the Council of Europe Project “Internal Displacement in Ukraine: Building Solutions. Phase II” in cooperation with the Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine held the summer school for partner communities “Local Initiatives for Lasting Solutions”.
The five communities had been selected as partners for the Project's component on promoting better integration of IDPs and the human rights protection of the conflict-affected population at local level. These are: Berdyansk, Kramatorsk, Kryvyi Rih, Storogynets, and Tairiv. 
Lilja Gretarsdottir, Head of Task Force on Transversal Challenges and Multilateral Cooperation, Independent Human Rights Bodies, Coordinator of the Project “Internal Displacement in Ukraine: Building Solutions. Phase II” welcomed the participants of the event.
Olena Lytvynenko, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, started off the summer school with signing a Memorandum of understanding with the authorities of five partner communities of the Project. This launches a long-term cooperation of the Project and the communities in the field of strengthening the human rights protection of IDPs and the conflict-affected population.
The event brought together the representatives of partner communities along with national and international consultants of the Project.
40 representatives of local self-government bodies, displaced professionals, and civil society activists learned on Council of Europe standards on internal displacement; discussed national legislation and court practice on IDPs; and exchanged on the practical tools to promote better integration of IDPs and strengthening the human rights protection of the conflict-affected population at local level.
National consultants of the Project delivered workshops on a number of practical topics: stress relief; fundraising and community development; IT solutions for communities; needs assessment and feasible data collection at local level; advocacy and fostering participation at local level; local initiatives: development and harmonization with wider strategies; gender mainstreaming in local policies and practices.
The topics came up as a result of the Project needs assessment and were identified as the ones that would advance the capacities of local stakeholders to address the current needs of IDPs and the conflict-affected population.
The event ended up with the elaboration of five work plans to be jointly implemented by the Council of Europe Project and the representatives of five partner communities by the end of 2022. The Project will support the partners in implementing Council of Europe standards while planning and implementing policies and practices on IDPs and the conflict-affected population.
