Kyiv, 15 February 2024 – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have opened Educational and Training Centres for Social Work in Chernivtsi, Dnipro, and Poltava. The Сentres were established in close cooperation with the respective oblast state administrations under new social service regulations to support, train and improve the competencies of social work specialists, social workers and other employees involved in providing social services.

These Training Centres deliver comprehensive methodological guidance for conducting social work and providing services to the most vulnerable population groups, including internally displaced people.

The local partners showed their commitment by repairing the premises, and UNDP, with financial support from the European Union, supplied them with furniture and modern equipment to use in the training process. In particular, a group workspace was set up in each Centre to accommodate up to 30 people, and four workplaces were fully equipped for the methodologist, administrator and other specialists. 

Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of the Local and Human Development Section at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, emphasized the European Union’s commitment to the sustainable development of Ukraine’s social service sector. “The EU supports Ukraine to help address social challenges stemming from the war, including for specific groups such as internally displaced persons, war veterans and their families, single parents, persons with disabilities, minorities and other vulnerable persons,” he said. “Access to social services that respond to the needs of war-affected population has been a critical component of our ongoing partnership with UNDP to build resilience of Ukrainian communities. Our initiatives will continue to reform Ukraine’s social support system, improving employment services and ensuring access to social protection.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that the war in Ukraine has significantly increased the need for diverse social services to support the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, older and internally displaced people. “Understanding the multifaceted nature of these needs, UNDP is committed to strengthening the capacity of social workers, which is crucial for providing care to those who need it most,” he said. “Together with the EU, we have established educational spaces for social workers to expand their skills and knowledge. Beyond this, UNDP is also deploying mobile social services and developing methodological guidelines, in turn strengthening Ukraine’s social service system.”

Background

The Educational and Training Centres for Social Work were established by UNDP in Ukraine in close cooperation with oblast administrations with financial support from the EU in three pilot oblasts of Ukraine – Chernivtsi, Dnіpropetrovsk and Poltava. Additionally, training activities for social sector employees at the newly created Centres will be supported by the Government of Sweden.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org