Per aspera ad astra proverb has a completely unique flavor for Ukraine. For almost a decade Ukraine has been seeking to appear as one of the stars on the EU flag – through the smoke of the Maidan and the dirt of war. While the EU leaders are preparing for the meeting of the European Council on June 23-24 to decide on the candidate status for Ukraine amid raging Russia’s aggression, it is high time to recall what the EU is truly about – rule of law, equality, and public accountability and transparency of a state.
This issue of our newsletter is dedicated to the upcoming red-letter days. We will take a look at the stance of the European citizens towards a potential Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, brush through the top news from civil society and funding and learning opportunities. Get engaged in the weekly read!
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Following Russia`s armed aggression against Ukraine, the leaders of European countries responded with massive demonstrations of their attachment to the peace and sovereignty of Ukraine. However, public opinion may not always go in line with official statements. What do the EU citizens think of the European future of Ukraine? The Flash Eurobarometer survey conducted in the 27 member states shows large support among EU citizens toward Ukraine. 89% feel sympathy towards Ukraine, 80% approve of the financial support provided to Ukraine, and 71% believe that Ukraine is part of the European family. The majority of respondents (66%) say that Ukraine should join the EU when it is ready. Citizens of Portugal (87%), Estonia (83%), Lithuania (82%), Poland (81%) and Ireland (79%) are most enthusiastic about Ukraine`s membership in the EU.
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New Europe Center Responds to Skepticism Regarding Ukraine`s EU Candidacy
On June 23-24, the European Council will decide whether to grant Ukraine EU candidate status. However, some European capitals have concerns regarding this step. The New Europe Center prepared counterarguments to prove that keeping Ukraine outside the European Union works against Europe. Click the button below to read.
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Democratic Reforms for Ukraine’s EU Integration: Dialogue with Leading Reformers
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) invites you to join online the event Democratic Reforms for Ukraine’s EU Integration: Dialogue with Leading Reformers on Friday, 17 June 2022, at 11:00-15:45. This event brings together reform-makers from Ukraine’s government and civil society to discuss where Ukraine’s strongest achievements lie in its post-Euromaidan democratic reforms, how they enhance the country’s standing to achieve its EU candidate status and what more remains to be done. The panelists will discuss how the government and civil society should work to ensure that the democratic progress achieved is not rolled back due to the continuing large-scale war perpetrated by Russia. Please register to join the event online.
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President Signs the Long-Advocated Law on Administrative Procedure
On June 14, the President signed Law №3475 on Administrative Procedure, strongly advocated by civil society organizations. Activists welcome this step – the Center of Policy and Legal Reforms states that the law brings Ukraine closer to EU standards, protects people from the arbitrariness of administrative bodies, and provides other benefits for the government and employees.
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National Endowment for Democracy`s Democracy Award Pays Tribute to Ukrainian Civil Society
On June 8, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) honored Anti-Corruption Action Center, Center for Civil Liberties, Public Interest Journalism Lab, and Ukrainian Volunteer Service with its 2022 Democracy Award. The award ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., as part of a conference that focused on the past, present, and future of civil society in Ukraine.
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CSOs Advocate for the Observance of Constitutional Rights and Freedoms during Wartime
On June 10, Ukrainian CSOs appealed to Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to immediately begin the process of an open and independent competition for the position of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights. Earlier on May 31, the parliament dismissed Liudmyla Denisova from her post as the Human Rights Commissioner. Activists are concerned that this move paralyzed the function of parliamentary control over the observance of constitutional rights and freedoms, which is extremely important under martial law.
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Democratic Initiatives Foundation Assesses the Moods of Ukrainians During Wartime
The Democratic Initiatives Foundation released the survey “The well-being of Ukrainians during the war: emotions, expectations, personal experience”. According to its findings, Ukrainians balance hope and anxiety when they think about their future and the future of the state. Almost half of the citizens feel anger, while less than 5% say that they feel completely safe. Push the button below to learn more insights.
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Center of United Action Extends Its Creative Competition “The Country Won’t Make Itself”
The Center of United Action extends the deadline for its creative competition “The country won’t make itself” until June 30, 2022, adapting its theme to wartime realities. This competition is a creative response to everything happening in our country and the new challenges that we face. Participants should answer one of the questions that worry Ukrainians the most during the war in the format of posters, videos or paintings.
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Funding Opportunity! Invitation to the Contest “PEOPLE to PEOPLE: the World Saves Ukrainian Communities”
ISAR Ednannia invites CSOs and charitable foundations to participate in the new grant program “PEOPLE to PEOPLE: the world saves Ukrainian communities.” Right after the vicious attack of Russia’s troops, ISAR Ednannia launched an international fundraising initiative. All funds are to support the communities that were affected by the war. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the official end of the competition.
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Funding Opportunity! USAID HOVERLA Announces Competition for CSOs
The USAID HOVERLA project announces the grant competition for civil society organizations. Its goal is to involve citizens in local self-government and raise their awareness of lawmaking. The application deadline is August 26, 2022.
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GLOBSEC Trends 2022: Central and Eastern Europe amid the War in Ukraine
How did the attitudes in the Central and Eastern European region change with the war in Ukraine? GLOBSEC Trends 2022 provides insight into the public perceptions in 9 EU countries: Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The invasion of Ukraine has been particularly disconcerting for Central and Eastern European countries that previously experienced both Russian occupation and aggression. Push the button below to check key i
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Supporting Democracy After the Invasion of Ukraine
Will Russia`s invasion prompt European democratic powers to strengthen their commitments to defend and extend democratic values? Could it have the opposite effect, as geopolitical calculations take center stage? What lessons do decision-makers need to take on board with regard to the strategies that democracy-support organizations deploy? And what does the war mean for nondemocratic states? Carnegie and the European Partnership for Democracy asked experts and practitioners prominent in this field to reflect on these questions and offer short comments on how they think the invasion might reshape international policies and democratic support.
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