Communities will be able to play a more active role in the process of returning Ukrainians from abroad and their reintegration, particularly through access to a shared digital platform where information about housing, employment, and social services can be posted.

These measures are outlined in a Memorandum of Cooperation signed on April 28, 2026, between the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine and the Association of Ukrainian Cities.

The document provides for enhanced coordination between the central government and local governments so that communities can systematically work with returnees and offer them tangible opportunities for living and working.

Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, emphasises that the local level plays a key role in this process, as reintegration does not take place in government offices but in communities, through access to services, employment, and everyday life:

‘Communities play a vital role when it comes to the return of Ukrainians. After all, it is at the local level that people’s reintegration takes place and the conditions for their life, employment, and access to services are established. It is important for us to deepen this cooperation, and we call on all communities to join us in strengthening our capacity to welcome people and create the conditions for their return.’

In turn, Oleksandr Slobozhan, Executive Director of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, stresses that for communities, this issue has long ceased to be merely declarative and has become a practical one: how to create conditions in which people will want to stay:

‘For the Association of Ukrainian Cities, which currently unites 1,084 urban, settlement, and rural communities, it is of crucial importance to create effective mechanisms for the return of Ukrainians from abroad and their successful reintegration. We are grateful to the Ministry for its leadership on this issue and to our German partners for their support.’

Within the framework of this cooperation, communities will also receive more information about public policy tools in return and reintegration – including through an open selection process. This should strengthen their capacity not only to receive people, but also to offer them clear and realistic integration pathways.

The Memorandum was signed by Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, and Oleksandr Slobozhan, Executive Director of the Association of Ukrainian Cities.

The document is part of the project ‘YOUA – Shaping New Paths, Building Ukraine’s Future’, which is implemented with the support of the German Government and run by GIZ Ukraine.