Over the 300 days of war, civil society has proved to be a tower of strength for the Ukrainian state could lean on and keep moving during this hard time. We may trace back and find the roots of this resilience in the previous years when organizations ripened and institutionalized.
This issue of our newsletter showcases the 2021 Civil Society Sustainability Index, some big hot-off-the-press news and updates, and a bunch of funding and employment opportunities. Get engaged in our weekly digest!
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Did Ukrainian CSOs manage to maintain the resourcing, credibility and long-term viability in 2021? The annual Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI) allows for assessing how organizations were operating based on seven sustainability indicators. According to the latest issue, Ukraine demonstrates a stable development of CSOs. The overall score – 3.2 points out of 7.0 – has not changed compared to last year. However, the level of advocacy, public image and legal environment slightly increased.
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USAID/ENGAGE Raises Awareness of How Civil Society Organizations Bring Positive Change in Ukraine
Did you know that the Verkhovna Rada`s widespread practice of piano voting finally moved to an end? Now MPs must vote for specific laws only in person. Many Ukrainians have also heard about the removal of Russian content from info-space or about numerous charity events to support Ukraine abroad. Why are these initiatives similar? The answer is that they all became possible due to civil society efforts. In this material, prepared within a special project with nv.ua, we will guide you through the loudest initiatives of civil society organizations. Click on the link to read.
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What Integrity Means to Women-Rights Activist, Media Personality Yaroslava Kravchenko
What is integrity for Yaroslava Kravchenko, founder of the independent Wild Theater, host and activist? Within the “Integrity Wins” campaign, we interviewed Yaroslava to find out how she raises donations during the full-scale war, remains true to herself and what she thinks about civil society and integrity. Check the #доброчесністьперемагає hashtag on social networks for more tips on integrity practices.
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Civil Society Organizations Signal the Threat of the Law on the Constitutional Court
On December 20, President Zelenskyi signed a law that changes the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (draft law № 7662). Civil society organizations warn that the current version of this law does not take into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the calls of civil society. It also threatens rule of law, democracy and European integration. Activists call on international partners not to delegate experts to the Advisory Group of Experts until the law is amended. They also appeal to people’s deputies to immediately introduce amendments to align the law with the Venice Commission’s recommendations.
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Centre of Policy and Legal Reform Urges the Government to Approve the Anti-Corruption Program
Center of Policy and Legal Reform urges the Cabinet of Ministers to approve the State Anti-Corruption Program for the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy by January 10, 2023. The program provides for specific measures aimed at achieving the expected strategic results, the terms of their implementation and responsible executors, and details the problems described in the strategy. CSO emphasizes that the delay in the approval process may undermine the anti-corruption efforts of Ukraine and its EU integration progress.
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Anti-Corruption Action Centre Discusses the Judiciary During the Full-Scale War
How does the judiciary function after a full-scale Russia invasion? What are the next steps following the liquidation of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv? Why is it important for the High Council of Justice to work? In the new episode of the Ukrainian Pravda podcast “Damn Questions”, the Anti-Corruption Centre`s expert answers these questions and explains what is happening in the judiciary.
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SavED Launches Assessment of the Needs of Educational Institutions Affected by War
Charity foundation SavED aims to restore and improve the educational infrastructure of Ukrainian cities destroyed during the full-scale war. For this purpose, the fund announces the collection of a needs assessment from educational institutions for the restoration of educational spaces in schools, the creation of digital educational centers, and the purchase of equipment. The foundation will further promote these needs among donors, partners and CSOs.
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GoGlobal Launches Special Project on Youth Participation in the Reconstruction of Ukraine
GoGlobal and Nash Kyiv launch a special project within the youth initiative #VlipyZaSebe to teach youth be responsible, bring positive change, and shape a better future. The project highlights the “Manifesto of Change” – the vision of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and youth participation in this process. The Manifesto was created in the framework of the educational and motivational program “Country of Mutually Beautiful People.
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Gender Zed Raises Awareness of LGBT Soldiers Defending Ukraine
Before the launch of Russia`s full-scale invasion, Oleksandr was an actor, film director and acting teacher. After February 24, 2022, he was among the first to stand up and join the Territorial Defense Forces. Click on the link to hear a story of one of the openly gay men who joined Ukrainian soldiers to protect Ukraine`s freedom from the occupants.
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CASE Ukraine’s “Price of the State” Analyses Next Year’s Prospects for the Ukrainian Economy
The Ukrainian economy received a terrible blow as a result of Russia’s unprovoked aggression in 2022. Production fell by a third, large-scale destruction, millions of citizens fled the country. What are the most possible scenarios for 2023? What factors will affect Ukraine`s economy? CASE Ukraine held an expert panel titled “Macro Perspective: What Awaits Ukraine in 2023?.” Click on the link to read the key points of the discussion and watch the video.
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Job Alert: USAID/ENGAGE is Looking for Qualified Professionals
Attention, job seekers, USAID/ENGAGE has more opportunities! This is your chance to join the expanding USAID/ENGAGE team. We are looking for:
– Communication Officer https://bit.ly/3H4C22F
– Evaluation and Learning Officer https://bit.ly/3EZhgiv
– Program Officer, Reforms and Advocacyhttps://bit.ly/3XLr8oJ
– Culture & Arts Program Officer https://bit.ly/3E1WE8A
– Digital Innovations Program Officer https://bit.ly/3EgAPCG
– Events Program Officer https://bit.ly/3EyNfHe
– Program Officer, Networks and Coalitions Building https://bit.ly/
– Civic Education Program Officer https://bit.ly/3g9D1DN
– Social Cohesion Program Officer https://bit.ly/3UTmPW0
– Finance Officer https://bit.ly/3g0RAK0
– Grants and Contracts Officer https://bit.ly/3hNg9u4
– Procurement Officer https://bit.ly/3O8RfBB
For interested applicants, check out the requirements by the links and do not hesitate to send your CV and motivation letter!
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Pact Announces Grant Competition to Support the Public Health System
Pact announces a grant competition within the framework of the USAID/Ukraine Public Health System Recovery and Resilience (PHS R&R) project. The goal of the competition is to support public health programs at the community level, to develop the capacities of primary care institutions and civil society organizations. The application deadline is September 30, 2023.
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East Europe Foundation Announces Grant Competition to Support Volunteering
To support volunteer activities in Ukraine and increase their effectiveness during wartime, the East Europe Foundation announces a grant competition within the Spilnodiia Program. The competition aims to support public initiatives involving volunteers to fight the wartime challenges, strengthen the operational and organizational capacity of civil society organizations that carry out volunteer activities, to popularize and expand the volunteer movement in Ukraine. The applications are accepted until January 8, 2023.
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USAID HOVERLA Announces a Grant Competition to Strengthen Local Self-Governance in Ukraine
The USAID “HOVERLA” project announces a grant competition for civil society organizations. The competition aims to strengthen the accountability of local self-government bodies and develop local democracy. The geography of the competition is Lviv, Poltava, Volyn, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Zakarpattia, and Rivne oblasts. CSOs can submit their concepts at any time throughout the year; they will be reviewed monthly by a peer review committee.
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