Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity presents current social protection reform priorities to international partners

The seventh meeting of the Sectoral Working Group on Social Protection took place on 1 September. The Group provides a regular forum for coordination between the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, international partners and donors.

During the meeting, the Ministry presented its current social protection reform agenda and key priorities for the coming period. Participants also had an opportunity to discuss the proposed approaches, ask questions and offer suggestions.

A principal topic was the development of an integrated, person-centred social protection system in which different forms of support operate as part of a single framework rather than as a collection of separate programmes.

The Ministry’s current priorities include:

• reforming Basic Social Assistance by moving from fragmented payments to a model combining financial support with case management, social services and employment opportunities;
• developing community-based social services and strengthening the capacity of both the state and local communities to provide people with the support they need, regardless of where they live;
• reforming the pension system, including separating contributory pensions, guaranteed old-age payments and occupational pensions;
• strengthening the child protection system, with a focus on preventing crises and supporting families;
• reforming functional assessments and developing services that help people with disabilities live independently and find employment;
• supporting the return of Ukrainians from abroad and their social integration by strengthening communities’ ability to provide housing, employment, childcare, education and essential social services.

Particular attention was given to coordinating international assistance with the state social protection system. The Ministry emphasised that international technical and financial assistance should strengthen the national system rather than create parallel mechanisms.

“Support from our partners should reinforce the state system, not create parallel solutions. We are grateful for their expertise and resources, but we are also clear about our shared objective: the solutions we develop today must form part of a unified national framework, be scalable across the country and continue to operate after individual projects have ended,” emphasised Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Denys Uliutin.

The Sectoral Working Group is a regular format for cooperation between the Ministry and its international partners. Its meetings help align approaches to reform, update priorities, discuss challenges and identify where partner support can have the greatest impact.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue coordinating their work across individual areas of the reform. The next meeting of the Sectoral Working Group is expected to focus on the development of social services, including the division of responsibilities between central and local government, funding, development of the social services market and priorities for its future growth.