Integrity Week and Human Rights Day passed by, but we continue to keep an eye out for defending human dignity, eradicating corruption and promoting transparency. For years, anti-corruption was considered the realm of state agencies and civil society organizations, but there’s also so much room for ordinary citizens to engage. The choices vary – from whistleblowing or procurement oversight to a New Year resolution to abandon petty bribery – all imaginable tools are at our disposal. Ukrainian human rights defenders remain at the helm to render support to the most vulnerable.
In this issue of our newsletter, we wish to brief you on the citizens’ perception of corruption and anti-corruption efforts of the Ukrainian civil society and offer a handful of outstanding opportunities for individuals and organizations. Engage in a traditional read!
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Corruption has always been among the biggest challenges in Ukraine. However, in 2022 the world faced new global threats that require an immediate response. Did it influence the prevalence of corruption in Ukraine? The results of the Civic Engagement Poll confirm that corruption became less widespread according to citizens – 34% of respondents claim that they or their family members faced it (compared to 49% in 2021). 29% agree that the corruption rate has decreased over the last 12 months, while almost half think it has remained the same (46%). According to Ukrainians, anticorruption institutions play the biggest role in countering corruption (35% vs 40% in 2021), while every third respondent think that such responsibility lies with average citizens (32% vs 22% in 2021).
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USAID/ENGAGE and NAPC Urge Citizens to Seek Medical Certificates in an Honest Way
Getting a driving license or a medical certificate without bribes is important. Responsibility for the safety of others on the road starts with you, and every honestly obtained certificate builds a broader culture of integrity in every area of life. Within the “Integrity Wins” campaign, we share the story of virtuous driving school students – future drivers. They care not only about themselves but also about others. Check study.nazk.gov.
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Civil Society Organizations Welcome Liquidation of the Kyiv District Administrative Court
On December 12, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted for the liquidation of the Kyiv District Administrative Court (KDAC). CSOs welcome this decision and emphasize that it is a joint victory of Ukrainian civil society. At the same time, DEJURE Foundation emphasizes that the liquidation of KDAC is only the first step. According to the CSO, it is also necessary to create a new district administrative court of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, conduct a transparent competition for the positions of judges, and held accountable dishonest judges.
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Transparency International Ukraine Analyzes the Anti-Corruption Challenges During the Full-Scale War
Russia`s full-scale invasion forced Ukraine to mobilize all its efforts to protect its statehood and freedom, leaving perhaps less attention to battle on the corruption front. Transparency International Ukraine emphasizes that combating corruption is especially important during martial law because it will serve as the basis for future victory, effective reconstruction, and integration into the European Union. To celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day, the CSO analyzed the main challenges faced by anti-corruption institutions and suggested steps to make Ukraine stronger in the upcoming year.
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RISE Ukraine Coalition Presents Recommendations on the Institutional Architecture of Ukraine’s Recovery
What should the institutional architecture of Ukraine’s recovery look like? How to ensure proper coordination, effective use of funds, the apolitical definition of the projects, and inevitable responsibility? These are the primal questions that the RISE Ukraine Coalition answers in its recently released discussion paper. The proposals of RISE’s “Institutional Architecture of Ukraine’s Recovery” paper were presented during the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Washington DC. Push the button to read the document.
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Center for Civil Liberties Launches a Campaign to Support Ukrainian Prisoners of War
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Center for Civil Liberties launched a joint campaign with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine titled “Captured” to support the Ukrainian military and civilians detained in Russia and engage foreign partners in the exchange of prisoners. The campaign provides for the creation of an online platform that will highlight stories of prisoners and information about Russia’s violation of fundamental norms and principles of international humanitarian law and the rules of warfare.
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Crimean Tatar Resource Center Сontinues Information Campaign on Human Rights
To raise Ukrainians` awareness of human rights violations and repressions in occupied Crimea, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center continues the information campaign #LIBERATECRIMEA dedicated to International Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10. Activists placed boards in support of solidarity with the Crimean Tatar people in the cities of Ukraine and urged Ukrainians to join the social networks storm “Freedom, equality, justice – we will restore human rights in every corner of Ukraine” by sharing one of the campaign’s posters on personal social media pages.
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Osvitoria Educates School Children About Internally Displaced Persons
Almost 7 million Ukrainians became internally displaced due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Which regions sheltered the most IDPs? How and what can we do to help those who left or lost their home? To educate Ukrainian students and answer these questions, “Osvitoria” prepared an infographic and a lesson for civic education, history, and law classes.
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New Europe Center Presents Recommendations for the EU Accession Negotiations
Ukraine is preparing for European Union membership accession negotiations, after receiving candidate status in June. The New Europe Center analyzed the lessons of Central European member states and current candidates on their accession negotiation experience. The negotiation process of Central Europe, the Baltics and the Western Balkan states proffer vast knowledge to draw from for Ukraine. Click on the link to read the document.
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Job Alert: Pact is Looking for Capacity Development Officer
Pact seeks an experienced Capacity Development Officer for the five-year USAID/Ukraine year Public Health System Recovery and Resilience (PHS R&R) Project. The Capacity Development Officer will lead PHS R&R’s efforts to improve the capacities of the public health workforce to execute ten essential public health operations at the national, regional and local levels. The application deadline is December 23, 2022.
We also remind you that there are more open job opportunities in USAID/ENGAGE, which you can check by clicking on the hyperlink.
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Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies Accepts Applications for the Study Tour for Anti-Corruption Activists
Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) is now accepting applications for study tours organized for Ukrainian civil society experts and investigative journalists. Interested candidates should be active in and interested in advancing the oversight and investigation of corruption in Ukraine. The study tour aims to provide Ukrainian financial crime experts with the opportunity to establish meaningful connections with the European Commission, UK public authorities, and the research and journalist community in Brussels and London to facilitate fighting corruption related to reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. The application deadline is 20 December 2022.
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Freedom House Invites Civic Activists to Join an Event on Combating the Hate-Motivated Violence
Freedom House is opening registration for the eighth Civil Society Workshop on combating hate-motivated violence in Ukraine during martial law. The theme of the workshop is “Monitoring and documenting hate crimes during wartime.” The workshop will be held online on December 22, 2022. After the event, the participants will have the opportunity to propose their initiatives, aimed to help overcome hate-motivated violence, including during martial law in Ukraine. The best proposals will have the opportunity to receive financial support from Freedom House. Register by the link until December 20, 2022.
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What We Read: Fresh Challenges Threaten to Reverse Ukraine’s Judicial Reform Progress
Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine was fueled by fears that the emergence of a democratic and European Ukraine could act as a catalyst for a similar change in authoritarian Russia. So far, Ukrainians have defied the odds and inflicted defeat after defeat on Russia`s invading army. However, far from the battlefield, the judicial reforms that hold the key to Ukraine’s transformation into a nation governed by the rule of law are at risk of unraveling. Read the material prepared by the DEJURE Foundation`s experts to learn what challenges threaten Ukraine’s judicial reform progress.
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