FFVT on point: Ukrainian Forced Displacement – Challenges and Prospects Three Years on

Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, around 10 million people remain displaced. As the war persists, uncertainty grows among displaced persons, and the number of returnees has declined compared to two years ago. While several million displaced persons have already returned, often due to unviable conditions in other parts of the country, but also abroad, the majority has now been uprooted for two to three years. Refugees, returnees and IDPs are employing various coping strategies to navigate their challenging circumstances. And while many Ukrainians have been welcomed on the EU’s labour markets, the ongoing displacement is exacerbating a critical shortage of skilled labour within Ukraine, posing significant challenges for the economy. Addressing these pressing issues is crucial for Ukraine’s long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The event aims to explore the aspirations of displaced people and the associated policy dimensions. The panel discussion will delve into the factors influencing decisions to return or remain, the prospects for an inclusive recovery, the coherence of the Ukrainian government’s commitments to return and reintegration as well as a need for post-war (labour) immigration. Additionally, the discussion will incorporate the EU perspective on Ukrainian displacement, offering insights into the implementation and impact of the EU’s temporary protection measures as well as prospective future status.

The projects „Forced Migration and Refugee Studies: Networking and Knowledge Transfer” (FFVT) and “Return and Belonging” (RE-MIG) co-host this event.

We look forward to the expertise of

• Dr Volodymyr Vakhitov, Director, Institute for Behavioral Studies, American University Kyiv

• Martin Wagner, Senior Policy Advisor Asylum, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development

• Inna Șupac, Researcher, bicc – Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies

• Dr Franck Düvell, Senior Researcher, the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS), Osnabrück University

Moderation: Osman Bahadır Dinçer, Senior Researcher, bicc – Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies