Protection for IDPs, returnees, and conflict-affected individuals, delivered in partnership with national NGOs with a view to expanded localization Expanding localization of the humanitarian response in Ukraine is a key priority and addresses the concerns of and supports the efforts made by the government of Ukraine to lay the groundwork for early recovery and for operational results to be sustainable. In this regard, UNHCR aims to build the institutional capacity of local NGOs and community based and women led organizations so that they reinforce protection assistance for people who are displaced or have been affected by the conflict and thus build community engagement and ownership.
 
Given the vast impact of the conflict and the scale of displacement on the demand for, availability of, and delivery of services, as well as the increased levels of trauma, risks of gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful coping mechanisms, UNHCR will focus on the provision of and access to protection services, including mainstreaming GBV risk mitigation, legal assistance, appropriate mental health and psychosocial (PSS) support, and social support, such as counseling, accompaniment, case management and targeted GBV services. 

Through communication with communities’ initiatives, UNHCR will also ensure displaced and conflict-affected populations are consulted regularly and provided access to information on rights and services, including for example on accommodation in safe spaces to women at risk and assistance at borders. 

Acknowledging the key role of local community actors in the humanitarian response and recognizing that members of affected groups are best placed to identify the needs of their communities, UNHCR will also work to engage with and mobilize communities through community-based outreach volunteers and facilitators to ensure these communities are empowered to meaningfully participate. Going further, UNHCR will also directly support communities  and women led initiatives through capacity building, mentoring, and micro-grants of up to USD 4,000 per initiative.  

Acknowledging the increased vulnerability of displaced and conflict-affected individuals, and cognizant of the increased risks of GBV and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), the project includes a focus on accountability to affected populations (AAP) and protection from SEA. In support of this, UNHCR will ensure displaced and conflict-affected populations are made aware of and provided access to safe, confidential and effective feedback and complaints mechanisms. 

Since the purpose of the project is to strengthen protection assistance by empowering local actors, including women led organizations, and building community engagement, continuity into 2023 of partnerships in protection is critical so that UNHCR can monitor and assess the sustainability of the projects’ activities.

Note: Within the framework if its global policy, UNHCR provides financial support to partner organizations for indirect costs known as Partner Integrity Capacity and Support Costs (PICSC). The objective is to cover expenses for enhancing integrity, accountability, oversight, as well as administrative and other support which cannot be definitively attributed to a specific activity implemented by partners. PICSC is calculated as four per cent for national NGOs and contributed as a flat rate of the overall programmatic expenditures under a Partnership Agreement.