Year after year, on the eve of Independence Day, we have been picking colorful metaphors to describe what independence could mean. It is six months sharp since it has become crystal clear that independence is not what you feel about your country, but what you actually do to help your country outlive – taping a wound, rallying on the streets of Europe, keeping a sleepless watch at a checkpoint, or tearing down another propaganda nonsense.
In this holiday issue, we would like to highlight the efforts of the civil society that have become a steady pillar of Ukraine’s resilience and resistance to the aggressor. Its actions and initiatives are Independence. Let’s cherish it. Glory to Ukraine! Happy Independence Day!
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Today we celebrate Independence Day. This is the right time to reflect on our attitudes toward the state, democracy, and citizenship. Are Ukrainians proud of their citizenship? Do they feel consolidated, and what unites them? The Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation`s poll reveals that 90% of Ukrainians are proud to be citizens of Ukraine. 64% believe that democracy is the most desirable form of government for Ukraine, and 47% are ready to endure specific material difficulties for the sake of personal freedom and guarantees of observance of all civil rights. Talking of what unites people today, Ukrainians name belief in winning the war (73%), belief in a better future (48%), and patriotic feelings (36%).
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CHESNO Exposes the Traitors and Collaborators to Bring the Victory of Ukraine Closer
For more than ten years, the CHESNO Movement has been focusing on the elimination of autocratic tendencies and harmful experiences and Ukraine’s development into a fully independent democratic state. After the full-scale invasion, CSO activities did not decrease:
- On March 17, CSO launched the Register of Perpetrators of Treason, which already contains information on more than 700 alleged collaborators and supporters of the aggressor. CSO shares all obtained information with law enforcement agencies;
- Advocated an amendment that prohibits releasing on bail persons suspected of collaborating with the enemy and adjusting fire;
- Monitors the process of banning pro-Russian political parties;
- CSO supports Ukrainians’ informational resistance to the enemy, prepared a special exhibition “Information front: boards, graffiti, and murals,” and collects examples of Ukrainians’ resistance for the Museum of Agitation.
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Ukrainian Leadership Academy Spreads the Culture of Volunteering and Educates Proactive Youth Willing to Rebuild Ukraine
After February 24, students and alumni of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy joined the volunteer movement. 60 members of the community joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and four of them gave their lives defending our freedom and independence. The projects and activities of ULA`s students include:
- Volunteer movement “One Heart” – a civil emergency assistance service;
- Projects: “Aware”, “Vyshyvanka to Victory”, “Families welcome families”, “Easter as at home”, “Now Usual”, “Eastern mentee”, “I understand”;
- ULA`s students produced camouflage nets for the Armed Forces. They also established cooperation with humanitarian headquarters, made trench candles and energy bars for the military, and told Russians the truth about the war through social networks.
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Vox Ukraine Debunks Fakes and Tells the World the Truth About the War in Ukraine
Vox Ukraine will not stand any manipulation, fake, or misinformation about the war in Ukraine. Experts of the organization actively spread the truth, keep the issue of war in the focus of the international audience and contribute to the professional and personal growth of Ukrainians:
- CSO analyzes and provides an expert assessment of legislative changes adopted during the war. Starting February 24, Vox Ukraine released 7 “Reform Index” issues, two reports on the quarter results, and four expert columns. CSO also created a database of over 1,200 regulatory acts adopted since February 23;
- Since February 24, refuted 550 fakes, created 109 videos for this purpose and launched a database of Russian disinformation in the Italian and German media;
- Launched a marathon of charitable workshops in support of the Armed Forces;
- Launched “Peremozhenka” podcast to support the morale of Ukrainians during the war;
- CSO educates a new generation of changemakers and teaches Ukrainians to develop critical thinking.
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Gender Zed Helps Members of the LGBT+ Community Affected By the War
Since the beginning of the war, Gender Zed has focused on active assistance to the people who found themselves in difficult life circumstances and faced acute challenges:
- CSO directed more than 3 million hryvnias to aid. The sum covered mostly the emergency needs of representatives of the LGBT+ community, who remained in Ukraine and suffered due to military actions;
- Together with partners, CSO purchased the equipment for the Zaporizhzhia police; personal hygiene items, detergents, balaclavas, bandages, occlusive dressings, and tactical headphones for the Zaporizhzhia military, and helped volunteer funds;
- CSO raises funds for the Armed Forces through social media by selling special stamps with stories of LGBT+ people and allies.
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Center of Policy and Legal Reforms and UPLAN Develop Relevant Analytics and Create Solutions for Ukrainian Communities
Since the beginning of the war, the Center of Policy and Legal Reforms and the Ukrainian Public Law and Administration Network (UPLAN) intensified efforts in the legislative field, developing relevant analytics and useful solutions for Ukrainian communities:
- Prepared 16 expert materials on the legal aspects of war in February and March;
- Recorded podcasts and conducted live broadcasts on trending legal topics;
- Together with the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, joined the “Law in Wartime” initiative to help the state respond quickly and effectively to the challenges that arise during the war;
- Joined the public coalition “Ukraine after Victory” and contributed to developing the basis of the joint document “Vision for Ukraine – 2030” –recommendations and warnings on the way to the implementation of state policy.
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Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center Defends Independence by Spreading the Truth About Russia`s War Crimes and Exposing Collaborators
Since the beginning of full-scale Russia’s invasion, the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center has been fighting on various fronts to preserve the independence of Ukraine:
- Two members of the KhAC joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Territorial Defense;
- Raised money for various volunteer initiatives and humanitarian aid projects;
- Developed a template of an application about destroyed or damaged property due to Russia`s invasion to file to law enforcement agencies and created a questionnaire to record war crimes;
- Joined the “Ukraine 5 am” coalition, which deals with recording war crimes;
- Searched and exposed people who cooperated with the aggressor in Kharkiv region;
- Joined the RISE Ukraine coalition, which unites the state, the public, businesses, international governments and organizations for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
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Transparency International Ukraine Builds a Corruption-Free Ukraine
From the first days of the war, Transparency International Ukraine not only engaged in its usual activities, strengthening Ukrainian state institutions but also actively helped the military, volunteers, and citizens:
- Created instructions for citizens on war-related topics;
- Created a series of visual and analytical materials urging to boycott Russia`s markets;
- Joined the “Russia will pay” project launched by the KSE Institute together with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Economy;
- CSO supports e-systems that help manage public property more efficiently and strengthen anti-corruption institutions;
- Supports local authorities – analyzed examples of the reconstruction of 9 foreign cities, gave recommendations for Ukraine on reconstruction, and observed how Ukrainian cities adapt to new conditions;
- Became one of the co-founders of the RISE Ukraine coalition, which ensures the integrity, stability, and efficiency of the reconstruction of Ukraine.
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New Europe Center Advocates for European Integration and Promotes the Implementation of Best Practices in Ukraine
New Europe Center believes that European integration and adoption of the best European standards and practices directly contribute to the victory and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. That is why advocating for granting Ukraine the EU candidate status has been the CSO`s top priority since the beginning of war. During this time, NEC`s experts:
- Held more than two dozen meetings with officials and representatives of the expert community in key EU capitals. Prepared dozens of analytical materials for leading Ukrainian and foreign media;
- Together with partners, initiated an appeal to EU leaders to grant Ukraine candidate status on June 23-24. More than 200 civil society organizations signed the statement;
- Conducted the survey that became an important argument in favor of Ukraine`s EU candidacy, and was widely used by Ukrainian diplomats, parliamentarians, and government officials;
- CSO promotes reforms needed for Ukraine`s EU membership. Together with Ukrainian analytical centers, NEC introduced regular independent monitoring of the implementation of 7 reforms recommended by the European Commission.
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Center of United Action Finds Shelters for Victims of War and Analyzes Government Decisions
Before the war, the Center of United Action analyzed state and local policies, involved citizens in decision-making and participation in democratic processes, and promoted democratic changes. However, at the end of February, the organization significantly extended its activities:
- Launched an initiative to help find safe homes for war victims. From February 25 to the end of June, more than 500 volunteers processed over 6,500 applications and found shelters for 4,067 adults, 1,385 children under the age of 12, and more than 500 pets;
- Allocated funds to purchase and deliver more than 1,000 equipped sleeping places to municipal shelters;
- Launched a podcast about volunteer initiatives in rear communities, recorded 148 interviews in 18 communities;
- CSO reduces public anxiety in the info space, spreads information about volunteer and local initiatives that need support.
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