IOM Ukraine

IOM integration programme beneficiary working in a green house; small business started with Korean Embassy support and IOM assistance (2010)

The IOM Mission in Ukraine was established in 1996, when Ukraine became an observer state of IOM. In 2001, Ukraine requested membership in IOM, which was formalized with the Ukrainian Parliament’s ratification in 2002. IOM enjoys similar privileges and immunities as a UN Specialized Agency despite not being a UN Agency, and is part of the UN Country Team in Ukraine.

In line with IOM’s global strategy, IOM Ukraine is engaged all key objectives of the Organization and aims at advancing the understanding of the opportunities and challenges of migration in the Ukrainian context.

Maximizing those opportunities and minimizing the challenges accompanied with migratory movements are the guiding principles of all activities and programmes the Mission is engaged in.

In doing so, the IOM Mission in Ukraine continues to fight trafficking in human beings, assisting the Government in improving its migration management system, and creating migrant-inclusive health practices and policies. At the same time, IOM Ukraine engages in exploring and promoting regular channels for Ukrainian labour migrants, harnessing the development potential of migration, and integration of migrants, promoting the benefits of cultural diversity, and counteracting xenophobia and intolerance.

Over the 19 years of its presence in Ukraine, IOM has assisted about 400,000 migrants, potential migrants, victims of trafficking, and other vulnerable groups, directly or through its project partners.

Following internationally accepted standards and best practices, IOM Ukraine’s institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system is led by a dedicated M&E Unit, providing guidance and ensuring Mission-wide compliance throughout all programme areas with an aim to embed impact-driven programming. The Mission’s M&E framework is accompanied by an institutionalized complaints-handling system, beneficiary satisfaction measurement tools, as well as transparency and anticorruption mechanisms.