Internally displaced persons from Donetsk gathered in Kyiv for a discussion: “Internally displaced persons are not a burden, but a resource for the community.”
The event was organized by the Mariupol Women’s Association “Berehynia.” Despite the circumstances and forced evacuation from their hometown, the public organization found the strength to stand on their feet in a new place and helps other displaced persons.
Since February 2023, Mariupol’s “Berehynia” has been implementing a project – the publication of a printed newspaper about IDPs “East Now,” which is distributed free of charge in almost all regions of Ukraine with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine and financial support from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
Through this newspaper, over 50 success stories of displaced persons from Donetsk and Luhansk have been shared. These stories are an example of how IDPs can become a resource for the host community.
The discussion in Kyiv facilitated an open dialogue among representatives of host communities, public organizations, and displaced persons.
At the informal round table, they discussed:
- Real stories and experiences of displaced persons and communities - presentation “We are not starting from scratch, but from experience.”
- Benefits for local communities.
- Opportunities for creating new jobs, developing businesses, and cultural wealth.
Currently, we often encounter the fact that displaced persons are precisely those people who, upon entering a new community, bring much more than it seems at first glance. They do not arrive empty-handed. Along with them, they bring knowledge, ideas, entrepreneurial experience, and inner strength. Their stories are not about starting from scratch, but about a journey where experience transforms into a resource.
Participants of the event shared examples of how IDPs become a driving force in economic, social, and cultural life. More and more people are changing their perspective. Instead of seeing forced displaced persons as a problem, they perceive them as an opportunity. This is a chance for renewal and a challenge that opens up space for mutual understanding, partnership, and joint development.