Sweden is supporting a new Ukrainian initiative designed to strengthen the skills of social workers and improve assistance for children, families and vulnerable people affected by the ongoing crisis. The programme is being developed in cooperation with the Ukrainian government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The initiative focuses on building a more capable social services workforce that can respond effectively to complex social challenges, including displacement, family separation, disability and the growing demand for community-based support.

New Professional Development Opportunities for Social Workers

Under the programme, Ukrainian social workers will receive opportunities for continuous professional learning, practical guidance and supervision. The objective is to help professionals improve their knowledge, strengthen their decision-making skills and provide more effective support to people facing difficult circumstances.

The initiative draws partly on Sweden’s experience with structured professional development in social work. Through cooperation between public authorities, Ukrainian counterparts can learn from established approaches to training, professional mentoring and skills improvement.

Protecting Children and Supporting Families

One of the programme’s key priorities is to help children remain in safe family environments wherever possible. Strengthening community services can enable social workers to identify risks earlier, assist families in difficulty and help prevent unnecessary separation between children and their caregivers.

Children affected by war and displacement often face additional challenges related to education, housing, emotional well-being and access to essential services. Better-trained social workers can play an important role in connecting families with appropriate assistance and identifying situations requiring specialised protection.

International Cooperation to Strengthen Social Services

The programme brings together Ukrainian public institutions, Swedish authorities and UNICEF. This cooperation combines national implementation with international expertise and support.

Sweden’s contribution includes assistance for UNICEF’s work in Ukraine and exchanges of knowledge with Swedish public authorities. The broader aim is to strengthen the professional capacity of Ukraine’s social services and improve the quality of support available to vulnerable communities.

Building Long-Term Capacity

The initiative reflects the importance of investing in social workers as a core part of public support systems. Regular training, professional supervision and access to updated methods can help services adapt to changing needs and deliver more consistent assistance.

As Ukraine continues to address the humanitarian and social consequences of the war, stronger social services could help families navigate difficult circumstances and improve protection for children and other people who need additional support.