Oksana Zholnovych and Gert Koopman discuss social sector reforms on the way to the EU

Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine Oksana Zholnovych met with Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) Gert Koopman.

During the meeting, the parties discussed key aspects of social policy in the context of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Particular attention was paid to reforms in the area of social protection, support for vulnerable groups, and the development of childcare and elderly care services.

“Our goal is to establish a modern community care model based on an individual approach and professional support on-site, instead of the outdated institutional system. To achieve this, we create conditions for people with disabilities to not only return to a full life but also realize their potential, including in the labour market. Ukraine’s path to the European Union is not just about adapting the regulatory framework, but a deep rethinking of the role of social support in every individual’s life. Today, social support is a helping hand, a necessary service that assists in overcoming pain, emerging from crisis, and feeling part of society,” said Oksana Zholnovych.

The parties also discussed investment priorities under the Ukraine Facility Plan. Gert Koopman emphasised the importance of allocating funds for the restoration and development of social infrastructure, including schools and housing, as a basic element for the reintegration of internally displaced persons and recovery in communities.

In 2024, Ukraine fulfilled the indicators of the Plan for the EU’s financial support programme for Ukraine, the Ukraine Facility. Key achievements include:

• The Strategy of demographic development of Ukraine until 2040 – a systemic response to demographic challenges, with a focus on the labour market and improving the quality of life.
• The Strategy for ensuring the right of every child to grow up in a family environment for 2024-2026 – aims to develop family-based upbringing models and support families to prevent children from entering institutional facilities.
• The Strategy for reforming psychoneurological and institutional facilities, and deinstitutionalising care for people with disabilities and the elderly until 2034 – envisages a transition to a model of supported community living, the development of social services and the economic integration of these groups.

Gert Koopman emphasised the fundamental role of social policy in the EU, stressing its importance for building a sustainable and inclusive society. He assured of consistent support for the reforms implemented by Ukraine in the social sphere.