New Project to Build Inclusive Security and Localize Ukraine’s National Action Plan 1325 Launched

On 5 March 2026 in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund (UWF) announced the launch of the project “Building Inclusive Security: Localizing NAP 1325 Across Ukraine.” The project will support the implementation of the  third National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) by strengthening the capacities of regions and communities, promoting a holistic approach to security, and ensuring the meaningful participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in recovery processes and in building a just and sustainable peace. The project will run until April 30, 2028, and is implemented by the UWF with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The project launch event brought together representatives of government authorities, the security and defence sector, regional 1325 coalitions, and international partners.

Willemijn van Lelyveld, Deputy Head of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Taskforce at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, noted that the Netherlands is proud of its long‑term partnership with the UWF in advancing the WPS agenda.

“In Ukraine, women’s leadership and resilience is not an abstract idea. It is demonstrated every day — by women leaders at the frontlines, in communities, in local councils, and in civil society organizations. Through launching this project today we reaffirm – once more – that women’s rights and gender equality can never be an afterthought. It is central to security, recovery, and sustainable peace,” said Willemijn van Lelyveld.

Kateryna Pavlichenko, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized the importance of engaging the security and defence sector in implementing the National Action Plan 1325.

“For Ukraine, the WPS agenda is first and foremost about strengthening the resilience of the state during the war and in the post‑war period. Today, thousands of women serve in the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs — they work in various positions, including in frontline communities, evacuate civilians, and ensure law and order and public safety. Our task is not only to ensure their participation but also to strengthen their leadership in security decision‑making,” said Kateryna Pavlichenko.

Halyna Zhukovska, Senior Referent of the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, noted:

“The National Action Plan 1325 until 2030 is a strategic document that shapes state policy in advancing the WPS agenda. It was adopted taking into account proposals from civil society. Thanks to our joint efforts, today there are 25 regional 1325 coalitions and 356 civil society organizations across Ukraine actively advancing this agenda.”

Natalia Karbowska, Director on Strategic Development of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, presented the key objectives of the project. According to her, political will to implement the National Action Plan 1325 is growing in the regions but localization remains critically important, which is why it is a central strategy of the project.

“This project aims to ensure that the National Action Plan 1325 becomes not only a national policy framework, but also a practical tool for change in communities,” emphasized Natalia Karbowska.

The project focuses on four key areas:

• advancing the localization of NAP 1325 in six regions of Ukraine — Lviv, Kharkiv, Zakarpattia, Chernihiv, and Kirovohrad oblasts, as well as the city of Kyiv and Kyiv oblast;
• building inclusive local responses that apply a holistic security approach, strengthen social  cohesion, and ensure that women, families of military personnel, and other vulnerable groups are engaged in recovery processes;
• supporting sectoral localization of NAP 1325 in the security and defence sector;
• communication and advocacy for the WPS agenda at the national and international levels.

Key features of the project include applying a holistic approach to security that incorporates economic and environmental dimensions, as well as engaging young people in the WPS agenda through targeted communication campaigns.

During the event, heads of the Secretariats of regional 1325 coalitions from six regions shared their experience of implementing NAP 1325, discussed the challenges of wartime, and outlined regional priorities for the coming period. Among them are the localization of NAP 1325 at the community level, engagement of new target groups — particularly youth — stronger involvement of local authorities in implementing action plans and strengthening social cohesion.