June is drizzling the ground with poplar down. This white mist is accidentally interrupted by heavy shelling and missile strikes of Russia’s invaders. These make us all equal – we hop and leap in the shelters wishing to survive. But beyond the concrete, we are equal in many more respects, including our rights and liberties.
In this issue of our newsletter, we are happy to share the top news from Ukrainian civil society, remind you of Pride Month and encourage to mark it in a due spirit of inclusion and respect.
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June is a month when the world celebrates the freedom of LGBT+ people to be themselves. Marking the beginning of Pride Month, we decided to find out how Ukrainians treat LGBT+ people and whether Russia`s invasion influenced their opinions. According to Nash Svit Center`s survey, 13% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards LGBT+, while 45% are indifferent to them. At the same time, 66% cheer the participation of LGBT+ people in defending Ukraine from Russia’s aggression, while 64% believe that LGBT+ people should enjoy the same rights as other citizens of our country. The survey also revealed that young, more educated, and wealthier residents of large cities treat the LGBT+ community better.
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KyivPride Invites to Exhibition “I am in Ukraine / I am outside Ukraine”
We invite you to visit the presentation of the KyivPride exhibition “I am in Ukraine / I am outside Ukraine,” dedicated to LGBT+ people who are helping Ukraine during wartime and who were forced to leave the country. The presentation will take place on June 10, this Friday, at 18:30 in Kyiv. Hurry up! Registration is open until June 9, 14.00.
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CSOs Push for Ukraine’s EU Candidate Status and Post-War Reforms
On June 2, more than 200 civil society organizations issued a joint appeal to the European Union leadership. Activists urge to grant Ukraine the EU candidate status at the European Council session on June 23-24. They believe that granting candidate status will create a powerful tool for reforming Ukraine. It will also help avoid the despair of politicians and society and will strengthen the European Union and its authority in the world.
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The Kyiv Declaration. Ukrainian Civil Society Appeals to the World for Urgent Help
The Kyiv Declaration is an appeal of Ukrainian civil society leaders to the international community with a list of six immediate demands needed to stop Putin’s war machine. The Declaration calls for safe zones, military assistance, humanitarian aid, sanctions on Russia, revocation of visas of Putin’s cronies, and equipment for documenting war crimes. Click on the link below to read the appeal.
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Anti-Corruption Action Center Shares How the Organization Pivoted Its Activities During Full-Scale Invasion in Ukraine
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has proved that Ukraine will be fighting for its independence till the end. Together with many Ukrainians, the Anti-Corruption Action Center had to change the focus of its work at very short notice. Since then, the AntAC’s priorities are the supply of the weapons required for victory, an advocacy campaign to sanction Putin’s wallets, and maintaining an information front. Find more about the ways the organization helps to advance Ukraine’s victory in the Ukrainska Pravda publication.
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Democratic Initiatives Foundation Analyzes Public Perceptions of Language Policy During Wartime
Has Russia’s aggression changed the attitude of Ukrainians towards the state language policy and information security during the war? To find the answers, the Democratic Initiatives Foundation conducted a survey and checked whether Russia`s propaganda narratives influence the views of Ukrainians. Choosing between two opposite explanations for the reasons for Russia’s invasion, the vast majority of respondents (about 88%) agreed that the war is the result of Russia’s aggressive foreign policy. Only 7% supported the propaganda thesis that the real reason for the invasion was Ukraine’s desire to join NATO. Check more data by the link below!
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Main Challenges of Anti-Corruption Agencies During the 100 Days of War
Interested in hearing news from Ukraine`s leading anti-corruption bodies? Check an op-ed penned by CEO of the Transparency International Ukraine at Ukrainska Pravda. The article highlights the challenges and adaptations of Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure during wartime. The author notes that while most of the anti-corruption bodies joined in assisting the army at the frontline, they continued their operations sometimes performing new functions. Follow the link below to read the article!
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Activists Launch a Project That Helps Ukrainians Find Job Abroad
After Russia`s invasion, millions of Ukrainians had to flee their homes and the country. To help our citizens abroad, the Anti-Corruption Headquarters launched a project “Assistance to Ukrainian refugees with employment.” During May, activists held 127 job search consultations and created telegram channels with vacancies in the UK, Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland. As a result, 103 people reported that they found a job. The organization also offers free career consultations for Ukrainians who stayed in Ukraine.
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Call For Applications. Global Rights Connection Program
Global Rights Connection is an innovative human rights training program offered entirely online. The program consists of two phases: online training from September 19 to December 2, 2022, and the implementation of each participant’s individual action plan. The deadline for receiving applications is June 19, 2022. You can find more information about Global Rights Connection and the application process by the link below.
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Funding Opportunity! Fostering the Resilience of Ukrainian Civil Society and Independent Media
The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST) is launching a new call for project proposals for civil society organizations and media organizations from Ukraine. The projects can be submitted in three thematic areas: covering the immediate needs of the civic activists and media professionals, as well as their families; addressing the immediate needs of CSOs; supporting the media’s key role in informing their audiences. Proposals will be received and evaluated on an ongoing basis, with deadlines on the 15th and the 30th of each month. Check the link below for more information.
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Why LGBT+ Representation Should be a Priority for Business and Media
Telling diverse and inclusive LGBT+ stories has never been more critical. An unprecedented number of anti-LGBT+ bills continue to be proposed in state legislatures across the US. Elsewhere, nearly 70 countries continue to criminalize being a part of the LGBT+ community, according to the Council for Foreign Relations, including 12 countries where consensual same-sex relations can mean the death penalty. Check the article from the World Economic Forum annual meeting to learn why it is important to increase LGBT+ representation in media and businesses.
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