After more than a year of devastating war against Ukraine and its people, the pressing question arises: has the war strengthened their resilience, and to what extent are they determined to persevere in the face of adversity? In this newsletter issue, we delve deep into the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people and their commitment to continue the fight against the aggressor. Additionally, we highlight the latest endeavors of our civil society partners aimed at enhancing democracy and providing support to those affected by the war. As always, don’t miss out on our job and grant opportunities that remain open for application. So, scroll down and enjoy your reading time!
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Despite the challenges of wartime, the Ukrainian people remain resilient. According to a survey conducted by the International Center for Ukrainian Victory (ICUV), an overwhelming 93% of Ukrainians believe in their country’s victory over the Russian Federation. For 70% of the population, victory equates to liberating Ukrainian territories, and restoring borders to their pre-1991 state. 65% of respondents reject any ceasefire if any part of Ukrainian territory remains occupied. 51% of Ukrainians will not compromise with the enemy and are prepared to continue the fight until victory. Additionally, 54% of citizens view joining NATO as the best security guarantee for Ukraine, while 56% trust in lasting support from the West.
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Civil Society News
Transparency International Ukraine Analyzes the Draft Law on the Restoration of E-Declarations
Last week, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the first reading of draft law №9534, which proposes the restoration of Ukraine’s e-declaration system for government officials during martial law. Transparency International Ukraine conducted a thorough analysis of the document and listed recommendations and precautions that should be considered before the second reading.
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CHESNO Movement Presents Report on Transparency of the Parliament’s Committees
On August 1, CHESNO Movement presented its transparency ranking of the Verkhovna Rada committees at the press conference at Ukrinform News Agency. This is the third issue of the Verkhovna Rada Committees’ transparency ranking conducted by the CSO during this parliamentary convocation.
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Razumkov Center Assesses Citizens` Attitudes Towards the Situation in Ukraine
On July 26, Razumkov Center presented the results of a poll titled “Citizens’ Assessment of the Situation in the Country and Trust in Social Institutions, Politicians, Officials, and Public Figures” at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency press center. The poll revealed that following Russia`s aggression, citizens’ perceptions of developments in Ukraine evolved significantly. Find more by clicking the button below.
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Crimean Tatar Resource Center Helps 9,000 IDPs with Critical Information Assistance
On July 27, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center presented the results of its TurBOTa Bot pilot – a chatbot aimed to provide critical information and assist the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and indigenous people. For three months, 9,000 citizens used the chatbot to find information on available humanitarian and financial aid, housing services, and other critical information necessary to settle in host communities in Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv. The CSO plans to expand the service to new cities to assist the social integration of internally displaced Ukrainians across different regions of Ukraine.
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Zaporizhzhia Investigations Center Launches a Chatbot to Enhance Civilian Protection in Zaporizhzhia
On July 26, Zaporizhzhia Investigations Center launched a chatbot to enable city residents to report shelter-related issues to the city council. Accessible via Telegram and Viber, the chatbot offers its users the possibility to create well-structured complaints and contribute to enhancing safety conditions and improving the overall quality of shelters in the city. The tool also provides contact information for responsible departments within the Zaporizhzhia city council.
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Opportunities
Explore Our Opportunities
We are excited to offer a variety of opportunities for job seekers, civil society actors, and service providers:
- Qualified specialists interested in our job openings are encouraged to review the listings – https://bit.ly/3UKgGN7
- Request for applications for civil society initiatives to provide even greater institutional and project support – https://bit.ly/3GUdk4e
- Consultancy for ENGAGE Capacity Development Programming Evaluation Position – https://bit.ly/45cfQwD
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Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union Announces a Competition to Strengthen the Capacity of Local Communities in Documenting Russia`s War Crimes
The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union announced a competition aimed at enhancing the capabilities of local communities in the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine to document war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. Interested organizations can submit their applications until August 9, 2023.
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What We Read
Putin’s Biggest Mistake was Believing Ukrainians Were Really Russians
Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine was based on a series of disastrous miscalculations. The most significant of these was his belief that Ukrainians are really Russians. Putin has long insisted Ukrainians and Russians are “one people” who have been artificially separated by the fall of the USSR. Putin’s fundamental misreading of Ukraine is now plain to see. Far from welcoming Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian nation united and rose up in resistance. Click on the button below to read the material by Roman Solchanyk, who has previously served as a senior analyst at the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Research Institute and the RAND Corporation, to learn more about Ukrainians` identity and Russia`s misconceptions about it.
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