Unlocking opportunities: how UNHCR empowers displaced people in Ukraine to find employment and rebuild their lives

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 severely impacted the Ukrainian economy, leading to a threefold increase in the country's unemployment rate, causing business disruptions and relocations.  

For the millions of internally displaced people, who have been uprooted and, due to the war, left behind their homes and livelihoods, the socio-economic consequences have proved particularly challenging. Losing jobs or having their incomes significantly reduced, has forced many displaced people to rely heavily on external support and advice to help find new employment and livelihoods in the areas where they sought safety. The obstacles include skill mismatches, limited childcare, and insufficient information on job opportunities and financial services, coupled with the current limited capacity of public job centers and vocational schools. 

UNHCR works with partners and in alignment with the Ukrainian government’s priorities to foster job creation, enhance labor market competitiveness, and increase opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment among internally displaced people and returnees.  

These initiatives are coordinated with local authorities and include the organization of job fairs and business workshops to help displaced people navigate the local labor market and provide individual support and consultations. In 2024, well over 80 job fairs and workshops have been held across 16 regions, such as Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Lviv and others. 

Job fairs bring together employers with vacant positions and jobseekers, but also educational institutions, NGOs, various partner organizations and local government authorities which – collectively - can provide different forms of support with offers of retraining, business grants, and legal support. Meanwhile, business workshops focus on developing essential skills, such as resume creation, adapting to the modern labor market, interviewing techniques, starting a business, and drafting grant proposals for business ventures.  

Hanna Strukova fled her home in Kherson region and sought safety in Kyiv region, seeking ways to rebuild her life. Hanna, who had worked for many years as a senior accountant, faced challenges adapting to the labor market in Kyiv and finding secure employment. 

To enhance her skills and improve her chances, she attended a job fair organized by UNHCR’s NGO partner Crimea SOS and - upon the recommendation of job counselor Tetiana - participated in a business workshop where she learned job search strategies, resume creation, and interview techniques.  

"After working in one place for so many years, I didn’t realize how much had changed in the labor market, what employers look for, how to format a resume, even how to prepare for an interview. It's a whole science. This new knowledge gave me the confidence to start applying and even attend interviews. While not every attempt was successful, it felt like a step forward. Of course, age is something many worry about, but I am confident that experience matters too," says Hanna. 

Tetyana Shall, a livelihoods counselor at UNHCR’s NGO partner Crimea SOS, supports displaced people across Ukraine to navigate the job market, while fully recognizing the unique challenges they face. She and 28 other livelihood counselors across the country are providing mentoring and counseling sessions – both short-term and long-term – as well as support with information on employment, educational opportunities, retraining, professional development, and self-employment to IDPs and returnees. In 2024 alone, more than 5,000 livelihoods counselling sessions were conducted. 

“After finding a place to live, securing stable employment is the second most important need for the internally displaced. It provides a person not only financial independence but also a sense of purpose and dignity. Many internally displaced people bring with them skills and experience, and our role is to help them re-enter the workforce in a way that reflects their capabilities," says Tetiana. 

The individual support and mentorship programs are tailored to address the unique needs of displaced people, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to pursue stable employment. 

Kateryna Kazaku, a mother of two, fled from Skadovsk in the Kherson region to the Kyiv region with her family to escape the war. After settling into a new place, she faced challenges in finding a job. After multiple consultations with employment counselor Tetiana Shall, Kateryna pursued her long-held dream of becoming a professional hairdresser, enrolling in a 5-month training program. 

"I struggled to find work due to lack of experience, and I felt that the fact that I’m an IDP made employers hesitant to hire me. But I’ve always dreamed of finishing my hairdressing training, and now, I’m finally doing it. This diploma will open doors for me to support my family, so this opportunity means a lot to me,” says Kateryna. 

Livelihood counselor Tetiana explains that the counseling can work as inspiration and the gentle nudge needed to help people take the first steps: 

"The informal nature of our counseling encourages people to take action, consider different options, and think more broadly. Many people are also dealing with psychological trauma from the war, which affects their ability to fully engage in the job search process. But our less formal and friendly environment, makes it easier for people to feel strength to engage," she says.