Ukrainian communities have been actively moving away from isolated initiatives in favour of a comprehensive veterans’ policy. Digital services, new models for supporting veterans, support for entrepreneurship, international partnerships, and the development of veterans’ spaces have already become part of local policy in many regions across the country.

These findings are presented in the May 2026 Overview of veterans policy in communities, developed by the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NISS).

According to NISS, communities currently focus most of their efforts on:

• the development of local veteran policy;
• the creation of veterans’ centres;
• physical and psychological rehabilitation;
• support for employment and veteran entrepreneurship;
• housing programmes;
• the development of adaptive sport;
• memorial policy activities.

Digital services are the new standard

The authors of the overview identify the digitalisation of services for veterans as one of the most notable trends. Communities implement new solutions that simplify veterans’ access to medical, administrative, and social services.

For example, Odesa region has been working on the creation of a digital system for the medical care of veterans based on Healthy, which is intended to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for accessing medical and rehabilitation services.

Kharkiv region uses the CRM system of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine to coordinate support for veterans and demobilised personnel. In parallel, the Veteran service is in operation, through which veterans can access administrative and social services, whilst communities in the region are developing digital accessibility.

In Zaporizhzhia region, the network of veterans’ service desks at the Centres for Administrative Services is expanded, the Veteran Help online platform is available, and the Veteran PRO. Zaporizhzhia veterans’ hub functions. Besides, digital literacy services and the Mobile Administrator service are available to veterans.

In Kyiv, a digital calendar of events for veterans and their families is under development, whilst Vinnytsia region is developing the interactive platform Nashi Tut and the digital service ‘My Help’, which help users find information on support centres, rehabilitation, benefits, and special offers from local businesses.

Veteran entrepreneurship gets new tools

Another area of active development is tax support for veteran businesses.

With the involvement of the State Tax Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, advisory services are already available to help veterans with registering their businesses, choosing a tax regime, filing tax returns, and obtaining information on grant opportunities.

Such services have already been introduced in Lviv region, and have also been launched in Kharkiv and Chernihiv.

International partners help communities develop veteran policies

NISS also recognises the active involvement of international support.

In particular:

• Zakarpattia region cooperates with American medical institutions in rehabilitation of veterans;
• Lviv region implements international projects in adaptive sports, psychological recovery, and the development of veteran entrepreneurship;
• Kharkiv region engages international organisations in the creation of veteran centres, the development of microgrant programmes, and the provision of legal support;
• Zaporizhzhia region implements international programmes for psychological support and rehabilitation of veterans;
• Mykolaiv region develops partnerships in prosthetics and adaptive sports;
• Vinnytsia region implements international projects on modern prosthetics, psychological rehabilitation, and employment of veterans;
• Kyiv, with the support of the Council of Europe, develops mechanisms for veterans’ participation in shaping urban policy.

The authors of the overview highlight that the practice of communities demonstrates a gradual transition from isolated local initiatives to a systematic veteran policy that combines digital tools, cross-sectoral partnerships, and comprehensive support for veterans and their families.