This week, international leaders, governments, civil society organisations and international partners will gather for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026. The conference takes place at an important moment for Ukraine, following the opening of the first negotiation cluster in the country’s accession process to the European Union.

These milestones are not only about reconstruction, economic recovery and European integration. They are also about the kind of society Ukraine is building for the future.

The European Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based support (EEG) has adopted a statement welcoming Ukraine’s continued commitment to deinstitutionalisation and community-based support despite the immense challenges created by Russia’s full-scale war of aggression.

The statement highlights that deinstitutionalisation is more than a social policy reform. It is a human rights commitment and an important part of building an inclusive, resilient and democratic society. It is also closely linked to Ukraine’s path towards EU membership and alignment with European values and international human rights standards.

As Ukraine’s recovery continues, the EEG calls on Ukrainian authorities, European institutions and international partners to ensure that reconstruction efforts strengthen families, communities and community-based services, rather than recreate systems of segregation and institutionalisation.

Recovery is not only about rebuilding infrastructure.

Recovery is about rebuilding communities.

Read the full EEG statement.