Ministry of Social Policy and UNICEF continue cooperation on child protection and social services development

On 25 July, Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, Denys Uliutin, met with Munir Mammadzade, Head of the UNICEF Representation in Ukraine. The parties discussed further cooperation and key reform priorities in the areas of child protection and social services development.

The Minister expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s long-standing support and strategic partnership in implementing reforms aimed at protecting children, supporting families, and enhancing social services amid wartime challenges.

“I would like to highlight UNICEF’s consistent and long-term support, particularly in the context of wartime challenges. Our shared goal is not only to maintain the social services system but to significantly strengthen it. I sincerely hope our partnership will continue to deepen, especially in modernising community-level social services tailored to people’s needs and addressing longstanding gaps in social protection,” said Denys Uliutin.

He emphasised that the Ministry will focus on reforms to shift from status-based social assistance to needs-based support. The Minister proposed that UNICEF support these changes, including strengthening communication efforts for the reforms.

Munir Mammadzade, Head of UNICEF in Ukraine, expressed that the organisation greatly valued its strategic partnership with the Ministry and sought not only to maintain but also to broaden collaborative initiatives. He highlighted that efforts were underway with the Ministry to enhance the resilience and effectiveness of the social protection system, while also progressing reforms in child protection. He further noted that, in partnership with key stakeholders such as the United Kingdom, the World Bank, the European Union and its member states, and civil society, modern and inclusive approaches were being implemented to deliver financial support, social services, and services for children and families, tailored to their specific needs.

The Ministry of Social Policy and UNICEF will continue cooperation in key areas, including the development of community-based social services, support for family-based care, implementation of services for children with disabilities, digitalisation of the social sector, protection of evacuated children, and financial assistance for vulnerable families.

The parties agreed to hold a follow-up meeting to discuss a shared vision for further reforms and cooperation priorities in line with the Ministry’s updated mandate.

As a reminder, the UK Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy, UNICEF, and the World Bank, launched the SPIRIT programme, which aims to unite efforts in economic and social policy to support the most vulnerable populations and address war-related challenges. The programme covers three key areas: supporting reforms through the Social Recovery Office and a team of experts, improving payments and services for families, children, and persons with disabilities, and developing modern community-based social services through digital transformation and a small grants programme.