Preserving human capital and digitalising the social sphere: Ukraine and Switzerland to continue cooperation
Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, met with Félix Baumann, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Ukraine, and representatives of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The meeting focused on the development of existing and new joint projects.
Switzerland is one of Ukraine’s key partners in the field of social policy. Since 2021, cooperation has covered areas such as digitalisation of the social sphere, support for inclusion, development of the rehabilitation system, assistance to victims of violence, and psychosocial support, including the expansion of the network of Resilience Centres.
“We value Switzerland’s support in building a modern social protection system. The new philosophy of social policy lies in shifting from one-off payments to a system of long-term, needs-based support for individuals. I am grateful for the backing of the reforms we are implementing, particularly in the area of digitalisation,” noted Denys Uliutin.
The Ministry is currently working on modernising the social contract between the state and its citizens. Among the priority areas of reform are a sustainable pension system, the development of case management and digital services, services for people with disabilities, deinstitutionalisation, support for internally displaced persons, and facilitation of the voluntary return of Ukrainians from abroad.
A system for recording non-material damage caused by russian aggression is being created. The necessary legal foundations for the system have already been established, and the next stage of implementation requires technical refinement. The system will form part of the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere.
Denys Uliutin also expressed solidarity with Ukrainians currently in Switzerland. More than 70,000 of Ukrainian citizens are registered in the country with temporary protection status, which will remain in place until March 2027.