On 14 October 2026, SumDU hosted a regional roundtable “Implementing Resolution 1325: Regional Priorities, Security Challenges and Joint Solutions” within the project “Women’s Leadership for Collective Security: Implementing Resolution 1325 in Eastern Ukraine”.

Representatives of government agencies, civil society organizations and expert community discussed implementation of the agenda “Women, Peace and Security”. It concerns current needs of local communities, and ways to strengthen cooperation between government and civil society.

The roundtable was moderated by Kristina SAKHNO (leading specialist at the SumDU Gender Resource Center and secretary of the Sumy Region Coalition 1325). Andriana KOSTENKO (vice rector for scientific and pedagogical work and humanitarian issues) participated in the panel discussion.

Olena KIRIEIEVA (deputy head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration) emphasized that in the context of war, implementation of the plan “Women, Peace and Security” is of particular importance for protecting population, rebuilding the region, and shaping a secure future for communities. She highlighted the active role of women in volunteer work, protection, governance, and community life.

Halyna VNUKOVA (program analyst at UN Women in Ukraine) expressed gratitude for leadership and support of initiatives aimed at implementing Resolution 1325 and strengthening the role of women in ensuring security and community development in the Sumy Oblast. She expressed hope this cooperation would continue, contributing to even more significant results. The roundtable would serve as an important step from discussing current issues and priorities to concrete actions and joint decisions.

Olesia BONDAR (director of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund) presented a project aimed at strengthening implementation of the agenda “Women, Peace and Security” at the regional and local levels. It covers the Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast and will run until the end of May 2027. Key areas of focus include analyzing implementation of Resolution 1325 action plans, identifying community needs, budgeting for initiatives, training on comprehensive security, conducting gender-based security audits, and improving coordination between government and civil society.

Liudmyla MUSIYAKA (head of the Department of Social Policy at the Sumy Regional State Administration) provided information on the Action Plan 1325, approved in May 2026. The document outlines 29 measures across four strategic objectives. It covers women’s participation in decision-making, security, post-conflict recovery, and struggle with conflict-related sexual violence.

Andriana KOSTENKO underlined importance of flexible planning that takes into account changes in security situation and community needs. She presented GenPlan – an online tool developed by SumDU researchers in collaboration with the Center for Public Initiatives “Intellect of Sumy Oblast” with support from the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. It assesses extent to which programs incorporate principles of gender equality, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for addressing them.

GenPlan capabilities were demonstrated via the example of programs supporting internally displaced persons and development of social services in the region. The vice rector proposed exploring possibility of using the tool during further implementation of the Action Plan 1325 and recommending it to local communities.

Roundtable participants discussed accessibility of shelters for people with disabilities and families with children, evacuation safety, resilience centers, and cybersecurity. They also discussed how to translate identified priorities into concrete measures, secure funding for them, and coordinate actions of all stakeholders.

The meeting served as a platform for exchanging experiences and finding solutions to solve security challenges and address needs of various population groups. SumDU is contributing to this effort not only as a venue for professional dialogue but also as a developer of practical tools that can help communities improve local programs and make informed decisions.