During the 32nd European Social Services Conference (ESSC) held from June 26-28 in Antwerp, Belgium, the CDTO of the Ministry of Social Policy Kostiantyn Koshelenko shared his vision on how Ukraine is transforming its social support system and implementing new digital solutions.

The European Social Network annually organizes this large-scale conference bringing together policymakers, experts, and social service professionals from Europe and other regions of the world. In 2024, the conference focused on partnership between government and active civil society for the development of local social services.

Ukraine was represented at the conference by Kostiantyn Koshelenko, Deputy Minister of Social Policy for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization.

Besides, other dignitaries also contributed to the conference:

• Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights;

• Nathalie Berger, Director for Support to Member State Reforms, Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, European Commission;

• Alessandra Locatelli, Minister for Disabilities (Italy);

• Tatjana Scheck, Vice-Mayor for Social Affairs, Antwerp (Belgium).

Kostiantyn Koshelenko shared with the participants how Ukraine is transitioning to the European social support system. In particular, he discussed experimental projects implemented by the Ministry of Social Policy including the unique Resilience Program which now covers over 200 territorial communities, and is a new social adaptation service for war veterans and their families, successfully piloted in three regions and further multiplied. Additionally, he mentioned the mental health program "How Are You?" initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

"In the face of constant challenges that Ukraine encounters, we have realized that the traditional approach to providing social support is simply not enough. Therefore, everything the Ministry of Social Policy is working on now is not about short-term solutions. On the contrary, it is strategic work hand-in-hand with the government, local authorities, and the public in the long run," Kostiantyn Koshelenko pointed.

He added that digitalization is a crucial factor in this process. During the first year of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere (UISSS) was launched. It is used in all regions of Ukraine, with over 15,000 social service professionals as users. The next step is the adoption of the draft law on the UISSS developed by the Ministry of Social Policy team with international experts’ involvement. It has already been registered in the Verkhovna Rada.

The European Social Network has recognized the UISSS, with the "Automation of Social Protection for Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine" project winning in the "Digital Transformation" category of the European Social Services Awards 2023. Furthermore, the UISSS received an award at the Zero Project Conference in Vienna for innovation in inclusivity.

According to Kostiantyn Koshelenko, innovative solutions in the social sector are now being implemented due to the support of international partners: the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the East Europe Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), USAID Ukraine, UKAID, the Eurasia Foundation, and DT4UA. During the conference, he also urged for investments in the development of social support in Ukraine in the form of technical assistance, the purchase of housing for foster families, assistance in opening Resilience Centers, and organizing exchange programs for social service professionals.