Civil society is a powerful actor driving us to a positive change. It engages in watchdogging or advocacy activities, and sometimes even takes over state responsibilities. Active citizens are the backbone of Ukraine`s resistance against Russia’s aggression – as army service people, volunteers, or donation-givers.
The XIth Civil Society Development Forum in Kyiv and UA-GE Civil Society Forum in Tbilisi, held in parallel on the same day, proved aspiration for change and thirst for sharing experience and learning from success cases.
In this issue of our newsletter, we would like to take a deep look into the Forum events, introduce you to our recent campaign about CSOs, and brief you on the recent developments in the civil society of Ukraine. Get engaged in our weekly digest!
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Activism has become an integral part of today’s Ukraine. Citizens participate in decision-making, improve the lives of their communities, and contribute to victory over the aggressor state. How did Ukrainians engage in civic activities in 2022? According to our Civic Engagement Poll, initiation or signing electronic petitions to the local or national government tops the list of activities Ukrainians were most engaged in (26% in 2022 compared to 5% in 2021.) Another 26% participated in a peaceful rally (7% in 2021.) While 17% participated in public hearings, 13% of Ukrainians reported on infrastructural issues (6% and 6% in 2021 respectively). Lack of time (22%), physical condition, work or study (14%) and caring for family (12%) are the top three cited hurdles for the exercise of active citizenship.
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USAID/ENGAGE Launches a Campaign to Raise Trust in Civil Society
Ukraine is constantly changing – cities become more sustainable, the state implements new reforms, and citizens learn to be more responsible. Usually, we do not notice people who are driving these changes – civic activists. To raise awareness of civic activism and civil society organizations, USAID/ENGAGE is launching a special project with nv.ua. Today we offer you the first material that will introduce you to the most popular definitions of the public sector. Click on the link to read.
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USAID/ENGAGE Discussed Trust to CSOs at the XIth Civil Society Development Forum
As a part of the Trust to CSOs campaign and to kick off a broader discussion about trust to CSOs, USAID/ENGAGE hosted a special event, “Reconstructing Trust: a Guide for Civil Society”, within the XIth Civil Society Development Forum. The speakers – representatives of CSOs, business, state and donor community – talked about how to capitalize on increased civic activism and convert it into trust in CSOs, building effective dialogue and sustainable relations between the civil society sector, citizens, authorities, and the private sector. Click on the link below to watch the panel discussion
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USAID/ENGAGE and NACP Explore What Integrity Means to Bohdan Lohvynenko
Bohdan Lohvynenko is the founder of an educational multimedia studies project Ukraїner that talks about the remotest places, people, art, and business in Ukraine. Within the “Integrity Wins” campaign, we interviewed Bohdan to find out his thoughts on integrity and learn how he received the “vaccine” against bribery at school. Check study.nazk.gov.ua and follow the #доброчесністьперемагає hashtag on social networks for more tips on integrity practices.
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Euromaidan SOS and Centre for Civil Liberties Recognize Ukrainian Volunteers with Special Award
To celebrate International Volunteer Day, Euromaidan SOS and the Center for Civil Liberties held a Volunteer Award Ceremony at the 11th Civil Society Development Forum. More than 250 volunteers from different regions of Ukraine were awarded in such nominations: military assistance, search and rescue, documenting war crimes, doctors and paramedics, animal aid, and volunteers abroad. The main criteria for the award were daily volunteer work, lack of affiliation in leadership positions in any of the political forces, and non-remunerated activity.
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Oleksandra Matviichuk Recognized Among Most Influential Women of 2022
Ukrainian activists receive prestigious recognition! Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, was included in the Financial Times list of the 25 most influential women of 2022 in the category Leaders. Apart from that, the Right Livelihood Award recognized Oleksandra’s efforts in building sustainable democratic institutions in Ukraine and modeling a path to international accountability for war crimes. Along with other prominent women from Ukraine – Yulia Payevska (Taira), Khrystyna Berdynskykh, Yuliia Sachuk, and others, Oleksandra Matviichuk entered the BBC 100 Women 2022 list.
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GoGlobal Presents the Manifesto on the Participation of Youth in the Reconstruction of Ukraine
On November 30, GoGlobal presented a “Manifesto of Change” – a vision of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and the contribution of youth to this process. The Manifesto was created in the framework of the educational and motivational program “Country of Mutually Beautiful People,” during which mentors and speakers stressed the need for media literacy and critical thinking and shared first-hand knowledge and life skills during wartime.
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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/3UV3VOz;
– 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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Internews Announces Media Literacy Grants Competition
Internews within the Media Program in Ukraine (MPU) invites Ukrainian media organizations, media outlets and civil society organizations to submit project proposals to its Media Literacy Grants Competition. This grants competition provides opportunities to design creative, innovative national and regional short-term projects. Proposed initiatives are asked to strengthen media literacy for those working in formal and extracurricular systems and through means beyond formal training, especially for the most marginalized groups. The application deadline is January 13, 2023.
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Ukrainian Leadership Academy Invites Proactive Youth to Participate in the Opportunities Forum
The Ukrainian Leadership Academy invites young people aged 16-25 to participate in the “Forum of Opportunities: Leadership. Career. Entrepreneurship”. The forum will be held on December 10-11, 2022 in Kyiv. The main topics for discussion are the value of youth leadership, career in wartime, entrepreneurship as a tool for economic growth, and the importance of a culture of dialogue. Push the button below to register for the event.
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Global Civil Society in a Geopolitical Age: How Civic Activism Is Being Reshaped by Great Power Competition
Over the past ten years, the sharpening of geopolitical rivalries and tensions has come to dominate political, diplomatic, and analytic attention. There is widespread agreement that rising geopolitical competition is the defining feature of contemporary international relations. But how does the geopolitical era affects global civil society? The Carnegie Endowment edition “Global Civil Society in a Geopolitical Age: How Civic Activism Is Being Reshaped by Great Power Competition” provides case studies of different kinds of changes through which global civil society is becoming geopoliticized. Tap the link below to read more.
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