“The sovereignty of Ukraine shall extend throughout its entire territory. Ukraine shall be a unitary state.
The territory of Ukraine within its present borders shall be indivisible and inviolable,” reads Article 2 of the Constitution of Ukraine. Entering the fifth month of a full-fledged Russia’s war against Ukraine, we need to remind ourselves this simple claim. The enemy can change its tactics, deploy missiles, or manipulate sensitive topics, but all these evil deeds will not deter Ukrainians from supporting their country, the Armed Forces, and all those who need protection and a helpful hand.
In this issue of our newsletter, we summed up what happened around civil society last week, selected the best funding opportunities, and took a deep dive into the topic of volunteering. Get engaged in the digest!
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Since Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February, millions of Ukrainians mobilized to defend their country and help people in need. According to the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation`s poll, 65% of Ukrainians volunteer their time, efforts, or money. Young people engage in volunteering most often. The Zagoriy Foundation survey revealed that Ukrainians help others because they sympathize with those who need help (63%), realize that they can need similar help tomorrow (43%), or enjoy doing so (17%). Check our chart for more details!
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Ukrainian Leadership Academy`s Alumni Raises UAH 1 Million for Ukrainian Defenders in Kharkiv Region
Alumni of the Kharkiv branch of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy launched a charitable flash mob “Victory Vyshyvanka.” Ukrainian artists, writers, actors, and business people participated in the activity. They recorded short videos to urge citizens to donate, wearing a vyshyvanka, embroidered by a ULA alumnus’ mother. As a result, 900 people donated to the cause, enabling the purchase of two air drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine operating in the Kharkiv region.
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Polish and Ukrainian Activists March for LGBT+ Rights in Warsaw
On June 25, thousands of Poles and Ukrainians took part in a joint Equality March for the Rights of the LGBT+ Community in Warsaw. This year, KyivPride had to cancel a traditional event in Kyiv due to a full-scale Russia`s invasion but co-organized the march in Poland. Activists drew attention to the war in Ukraine and called on the world to help Ukraine, in particular to release Ukrainian defenders.
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“Ukraine.5 am” Coalition Awarded for Promoting an Open Society
The Ukrainian Human Rights Coalition “Ukraine.5 am” has been named the winner of the 2022 Central European University Open Society Prize in recognition of its courageous work to document atrocities committed during Russia’s war on Ukraine. The ceremony took place in Vienna on June 25. The CEU Open Society Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding individual or organization whose achievements have contributed substantially to the creation of an open society.
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Prozorro.Sale Receives UN Public Service Award
On June 22, the United Nations Organization awarded Ukraine with the United Nations Public Service Awards, the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promote the role, professionalism, and visibility of public service. This year, Ukraine was represented by state enterprise Prozorro.Sale, an e-auction system that helps generate state revenue through open and fair bidding. Prozorro.Sale is one of the revolutionary initiatives implemented by Transparency International Ukraine and the state. It was recognized as the best among 350 projects from 58 countries.
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CHESNO Analyzes Distribution of Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine
CHESNO Movement analyzed how humanitarian hubs work in different regions and what aid Ukraine needs. CSO reports that from March 11 to June 12, Ukraine received 510,000 tons of international humanitarian aid. The largest hubs are located in Kyiv, Lviv, Volyn, Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia regions. Most of the aid reaches the country by road, less by rail, and a small share by sea. Push the button to learn more.
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CSOs Warn Against Possible Derail of the Judicial Reform
On June 24, the coalition of CSOs consisting of DEJURE Foundation, Anti-Corruption Action Centre and Automaidan released a joint statement expressing concern over the results of a competition for two vacancies in the High Council of Justice (HCJ). On June 23, the Ethics Council recommended four candidates for nomination. However, CSOs question the results of the selection and the integrity of two of the candidates. CSOs warn that such a decision jeopardizes the credibility of the judicial reform and may harm Ukraine’s European integration prospects.
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Funding Opportunity! Emergency Assistance to War Victims
The Eastern Europe Foundation announces a grant competition for the next phase of the Shelter program. The main goal of the competition is to help communities affected by hostilities meet the humanitarian needs of internally displaced persons, promote psychological stabilization and their effective social adaptation and integration into host communities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 1, 2022, or until the official notification of the termination of applications.
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Grants for CSOs Working with IDPs and Conflict Resolution
The International Renaissance Foundation is announcing a competition for organizations working with internally displaced persons and conflict resolution in communities. Its goal is to promote the social integration of internally displaced persons into life in new communities, where they plan to stay for a long time or forever. The competition is also designed to prevent and facilitate the resolution of conflicts at the level of selected territorial communities. The application deadline is July 13, 2022.
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The Six Commandments of the Constitution: What the Basic Law Obliges Us to Do
The Basic Law of Ukraine states that the establishment and protection of human rights and freedoms are the main duty of the state. But the Constitution also contains a list of responsibilities. Do you doubt that you can name them? The Center of United Action invites you to refresh your memory by reading its new column.
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