{"id":29879,"date":"2026-04-21T16:27:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/?post_type=event&p=29879"},"modified":"2026-04-21T16:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:27:09","slug":"how-the-center-for-economic-and-legal-development-established-a-support-system-for-internally-displaced-persons-in-the-lviv-oblast","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/event\/how-the-center-for-economic-and-legal-development-established-a-support-system-for-internally-displaced-persons-in-the-lviv-oblast\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Center for Economic and Legal Development Established a Support System for Internally Displaced Persons in the Lviv Oblast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Author: Yuliia Bilyk, communication manager of the Legal Development Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Center for Economic and Legal Development (hereinafter referred to as CELD) is a member organization of the Legal Development Network in the Lviv Oblast that provides legal, social, and psychological assistance to anyone in need. In recent years, the CELD has focused its efforts on supporting internally displaced persons, who can always count on systematic support from the organization\u2019s team. Read this article to learn how the CELD has structured its work, the role of tools such as questionnaires, and examples of the positive impact on people\u2019s lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IDP Support Centers \u2014 A Gateway to Assistance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With its expertise and years of experience assisting residents of the Kamianka-Buzka and Radekhiv communities, CELD strengthens the work of IDP support centers operating under the Lviv and Sheptytsia District State Administrations. The centers\u2019 specialists refer beneficiaries who need secondary legal aid to CELD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People also contact the organization on their own, particularly when they need help drafting documents and defending their clients\u2019 interests before state agencies, local government bodies, and courts. Over the past 7 months (August 2025 \u2013 February 2026), the NGO\u2019s lawyers provided legal consultations to 436<\/strong> people, 192<\/strong> of whom have IDP status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
In the photo: Head of the NGO \u201cCenter for Economic and Legal Development\u201d Andriy Korbetkyi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe also periodically organize legal awareness sessions, group consultations, and training sessions at IDP support centers, employment centers, administrative offices, and in village councils. We coordinate the topics of these events in advance with the centers\u2019 staff and their visitors. The most popular topics are social protection, pensions, and the rights and obligations of IDPs. Each event attracts at least 20 people,\u201d <\/em>Head of the NGO \u201cCenter for Economic and Legal Development\u201d Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to lawyers, the organization\u2019s team includes social support specialists and a psychologist. Psychological support and stress relief sessions are held in groups for both adults and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
In the photo: (from left to right) lawyer Dmytro Yanyuk, social worker Nataliia Kostyuk, psychologist Zoryana Storozhynska, and CEPR Director Andrii Korbettskyi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CELD also coordinates the work of the \u201cDomivka\u201d shelter in the Kamianka-Buzka community, which can accommodate up to 20 people at a time. The facility was established in 2023 with support from the Legal Development Network and the charitable organization \u201cUkrainian Educational Platform.\u201d This shelter also provides consultations and social support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Questionnaire: The Foundation of a Systematic Approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To streamline operations, the CELD team developed an intake questionnaire. The on-duty lawyer or social worker asks every person who contacts the organization for the first time to fill it out\u2014whether during community outreach visits or at the organization\u2019s offices. The offices are open three times a week in the cities of Kamianka-Buzka and Radekhiv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we realized that people usually have a whole range of issues that need to be addressed, we created the questionnaire. By answering simple questions, people identify not only their most pressing problem but also other potential needs: for psychological support, financial assistance, help with finding employment, or housing. This gives us a foundation, an understanding of what people need\u2014not just now, but in the long term. If we can\u2019t meet a certain need today, we come back to the questionnaire when the opportunity arises,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization uses the information from the questionnaires to maintain an up-to-date contact database. So, for example, if a person indicated in the questionnaire that they need a specific type of humanitarian aid (medicines, diapers, clothing, etc.), the NGO can easily notify them when that aid becomes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CELD does not limit its work to the Kamianka-Buzka and Radekhiv communities, where the NGO\u2019s offices are located. The team helps everyone who reaches out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlthough about 80% of our work involves these two communities, we actually provide assistance to residents of the entire Lviv district. From time to time, residents from other communities reach out\u2014some have called for advice, some have come to us to stay in a shelter, and some have received humanitarian aid,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbettskyi<\/strong> explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Concerns IDPs the Most<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Compared to previous years, the requests from internally displaced persons (IDPs) have changed in 2026. While questions about social benefits previously dominated, finances and compensation have now come to the forefront.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
\u041d\u0430 \u0444\u043e\u0442\u043e: \u0410\u043d\u0434\u0440\u0456\u0439 \u041a\u043e\u0440\u0431\u0435\u0446\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0442\u044c \u0437\u0430\u0445\u0456\u0434 \u0434\u043b\u044f \u0432\u0438\u043c\u0443\u0448\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0445 \u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0441\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0446\u0456\u0432<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cPeople are looking for ways to earn money and are interested in high-paying jobs. Some have inquired about starting a business or retraining. We collaborate with the employment center to immediately inform IDPs of any new opportunities. Recently, there has been a surge in inquiries regarding compensation for destroyed or damaged property\u2014filing claims and preparing lawsuits,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although many IDPs have been living in communities for several years, the issue of integration remains relevant. People still face difficulties with finding employment, enrolling their children in schools and hospitals, receiving subsidies, and calculating utility rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Support in Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The work of CELD lawyers covers a wide range of issues \u2014 from correcting technical errors in documents to complex cases involving pension eligibility. Andriy Korbetkyi provides examples that illustrate how the social support system works in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
In the photo: Head of the Center for Economic and Political Reforms (CELD)<\/em><\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi and lawyer Dmytro Yanyuk<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRecently, a 35-year-old woman with two children who had come from the Mykolaiv region approached us. She was denied state assistance for internally displaced persons due to an error in her registration certificate from the Administrative Services Center\u2014the year listed there was 2024 instead of 2023. We prepared a request to correct the technical error and gathered supporting documents\u2014a certificate from her previous place of residence and evacuation tickets. The error was corrected within 12 days, and benefits were granted retroactive to the date of her arrival. \u201cIn addition, we helped her apply for a rental subsidy. Now this woman works as a cleaner at a local school, and the family\u2019s budget has stabilized,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cases involving the granting of pensions to people who have moved to the Lviv region from currently occupied territories are more complicated. After all, it is impossible to obtain documents confirming work experience. Such cases require patience, knowledge of procedures, and sometimes several attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA 51-year-old displaced man who worked as a miner in Donetsk Oblast was unable to receive his seniority pension. The Pension Fund kept requesting additional documentation. We drafted a detailed statement with supporting arguments, obtained archival extracts from the register of insured persons through a request, and held several meetings with representatives of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in the region. After the third submission, accompanied by a cover letter, the pension was granted without a court hearing, with back pay for eight months. He received a one-time payment of over 60,000 hryvnias and now receives his pension regularly,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbettskyi <\/strong>recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because IDPs often face prejudice or formal rejections due to a lack of knowledge about procedures, CELD lawyers assist them in defending their rights from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA young mother with an infant was denied enrollment for her child in a preschool. The local administration cited a \u2018lack of available spots for IDPs.\u2019 We explained to them the priority right to preschool education for displaced children, drafted an official statement, and arranged a meeting with the preschool director. Three weeks later, the child was enrolled, and the mother was able to return to work. We resolve most issues out of court \u2014 it\u2019s faster and more effective for people,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbettskyi<\/strong> notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining Sustainability Amid Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Andriy Korbetkyi, the organization has been facing difficult times since 2025. It is challenging to maintain the pace and scale of operations, and to meet people\u2019s expectations \u2014 needs that only grow with each passing year of the war \u2014 amid a constant shortage of resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, fewer and fewer grant programs from international partners include organizations from western regions. Funding has decreased significantly, but the people haven\u2019t gone anywhere \u2014 displaced persons continue to need assistance,\u201d<\/em> CELD’s Head <\/strong>explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
In the photo: (from left to right) social worker Myroslava Vynnyk, lawyer Dmytro Yanyuk, and psychologist Zoryana Storozhynska<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Support from the Legal Development Network and flexible funding from the international charitable platform GlobalGiving help the CELD maintain its operations during this critical period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis support means a lot to us. It covers the work of our lawyers and, in part, our psychologists. We can continue our institutional activities and meet the needs of internally displaced persons who have been taken in by the Lviv region,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all obstacles, CELD consistently adheres to a systematic approach, not only responding to current requests but also building long-term relationships with people. A questionnaire, a contact database, coordination with IDP support centers, and partnerships with employment centers and government agencies \u2014 all of this allows us to provide comprehensive assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t just give advice and forget about the person. We document their needs, stay in touch, and reach out to them when an opportunity to help arises. It might be in a month, or three, but we never leave people alone with their problems,\u201d<\/em> Andriy Korbetkyi<\/strong> concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This material was created by the Legal Development Network with support from the international charitable platform GlobalGiving. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Legal Development Network.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related materials:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have outgrown ourselves and are ready to act on a larger scale\u201d: achievements and plans of the Center for Economic and Legal Development<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Author: Yuliia Bilyk, communication manager of the Legal Development Network The Center for Economic and Legal Development (hereinafter referred to as CELD) is a member organization of the Legal Development Network in the Lviv Oblast that provides legal, social, and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":29880,"template":"","project":[641],"section":[],"event-type":[],"region":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/29879"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/29879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29882,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/29879\/revisions\/29882"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project?post=29879"},{"taxonomy":"section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section?post=29879"},{"taxonomy":"event-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event-type?post=29879"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldn.org.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=29879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}