In our latest newsletter issue, we focus on the pivotal role of responsible partnerships in strengthening CSOs amidst the challenges of wartime. This is best exemplified by the recently held Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation’s Responsibility Award which honors CSOs for their excellence in cross-sectoral collaboration and community impact. Among the 168 applicants, ENGAGE partners Plato and EdCamp Ukraine stood out, with the latter receiving a special award. The ceremony underscored the growing significance of CSO involvement in Ukraine’s societal fabric, echoing findings from our latest Civic Engagement Poll (CEP) and this week’s infographic. Explore the dynamics of Ukraine-EU relations within the framework of responsible partnership in the latest analysis from the Razumkov Center. Dive in to gain more insights!
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Amidst the ongoing war, citizen engagement in CSOs has notably risen. Our Civic Engagement Poll (CEP), spanning from 2017 to 2023, underscores this increase, peaking at 47% in the third quarter of 2022 and slightly decreasing to 34% in 2023. While respondents in previous years primarily cited lack of time and interest as barriers to participation, 2023 sees a shift, with a lack of knowledge on how to engage with CSOs becoming a key obstacle, accompanied by a decline in reported lack of interest. In 2023, only 5% of respondents refrained from joining CSO activities due to a lack of interest, compared to 41% in 2021. Meanwhile, 21% of Ukrainians state that they do not engage because they do not know how to do so.
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Civil Society News
Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation Recognizes Cross-Sectoral Collaboration of CSOs with Responsibility Award
On January 22, Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation (BHFF), hosted an award ceremony to announce three laureates of the Responsibility Award 2023, selected out of 168 organizations. Among them, the USAID/ENGAGE partner Plato (Urban Garden Space “Rozsadnyk”) secured a spot as a short-list finalist, while EdCamp Ukraine received a special award for their exceptional educational project, “Social-Emotional Skills for Life in the 21st Century: The Community of Responsible Teaching.” Former USAID/ENGAGE partner Docudays was recognized as the laureate in the category “Interaction Without Borders: Ukraine to the World.” The compelling narratives of the ten finalists will be showcased in the media project “The Ukrainians,” underscoring the resilience and unity of Ukrainians.
We spoke with Bohdan Mykhailchuk, the coordinator of the “Responsibility Award 2023,” to gain deeper insights into the award’s significance, highlighting the critical role of civil society during wartime. Push the button below to read more about the Award.
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Crimean Institute for Strategic Studies Draws International Attention to Cultural Heritage Protection in Ukraine
On January 15, the Crimean Institute for Strategic Studies (CISS), participated in a symposium in Japan titled “How Archaeological Heritage Can be Better Protected from the Effects of War in Ukraine.” During this event, CISS provided a presentation on the impact of the war on Ukrainian museums in war-affected regions, emphasizing the destruction and the urgent need for protection and support.
On January 16, CISS participated in an Intergovernmental Working Group hosted by UNESCO, which focused on developing criteria and procedures for public statements by the Director-General on illicitly trafficked cultural objects.
On January 20, CISS addressed Ukraine’s cultural heritage in Hamburg, featuring the video titled “Cultural Heritage of Ukraine: Heritage under Siege” and the “12 Myths about Crimea” video series from the project “Zincir / Chain. Links of Memory.” The initiative addressed the appropriation, destruction, and defamation of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians’ cultural heritage by Russia in occupied territories. The videos also debunk imperial and Soviet narratives, showcasing the rich culture of the Crimean Tatars.
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Ukrainian Antiquity Launches Project to Facilitate Recovery of Ukrainian Communities
On January 17, Ukrainian Antiquity announced the launch of a new project titled “Quality Analytics – Effective Recovery.” The project aims to enhance methods for gathering and organizing information on the capacity and needs of communities. This data will be instrumental in shaping documents regulating the strategic development and recovery of Ukrainian regions. Currently, nearly 100 experts from various sectors are working on developing methodologies and questionnaires, covering areas such as Social Policy, Reintegration, IDP Repatriation, Security, Culture, Environment, Education, Healthcare, and more.
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USAID/ENGAGE Partners Join Media Initiative Focusing on Recovery Efforts
Starting January 22, the “Recovery Window” network, co-founded by the USAID/ENGAGE partners Vox Ukraine and the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, has commenced its operations. Collaborating with other media and analytical platforms, the initiative aims to collectively narrate stories of recovery in Ukraine’s affected regions through a unified platform. The goal is to unite stakeholders around the recovery theme, foster transparency, and prevent corruption. Complete the form to be part of this initiative.
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Opportunities
Check Our Request for Applications for CSOs
We are pleased to introduce our updated and enhanced Request for Applications for civil society initiatives. It provides expanded institutional and project support, contributing to increased citizen participation in democratic processes, strengthening confidence in civil society, and advancing Ukraine’s drive toward victory. We encourage you to review its terms and conditions, submit your applications, and join us in empowering civil society in Ukraine!
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Join Us! Discover More Opportunities and Job Vacancies on Our Website
We invite qualified vendors to visit our website’s procurement section to access the latest consultant requests for USAID/ENGAGE – https://bit.ly/3u391QK
Qualified specialists interested in our job openings are encouraged to review the listings – https://bit.ly/3UKgGN7
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What We Read
EU Enlargement Considering New Realities: The Ukrainian Direction
On January 15, Razumkov Center released an analytical article, contributing to the book “Enlargement and the Future of Europe: Views from Capitals” published by the Trans-European Political Studies Association (TEPSA). The book presents the opinions and assessments of more than 40 authors – experts from all EU countries and neighboring states. The article, titled “EU Enlargement Considering New Realities: The Ukrainian Direction,” offers insights into the evolving partnership between Kyiv and Brussels amid the challenges of a large-scale war. It outlines key aspects of Ukraine-EU cooperation, including the introduction of a “European lend-lease” for comprehensive military support to Ukraine, integration into European markets through trade liberalization and joint projects, the accelerated launch of the “visa-free industry” which calls for streamlined visa-free procedures in energy, trade, customs, and transportation, participation in the “Digital Europe” program, and targeted economic recovery programs.
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