We are completing our March campaign to honor the incredible women of Ukraine with an inspiring story of how Uliana Dzhurliak and the NEST initiative help families regain their homes and rebuild communities. While the stories of women leadership go far beyond what we have shared, we need to recognize that gender equality remains an elusive goal both in Ukraine and around the world – check out our infographics with fresh Global Gender Gap Index data.
We are also thrilled to bring you the latest updates and opportunities from and for civil society actors aimed at advancing democracy in Ukraine and addressing challenges caused by the war. Our newsletter is packed with insightful information, so be sure to read it and find your daily dose of inspiration!
****
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 by the World Economic Forum, it would take 132 years to close the gap at the current rate of progress toward gender equality. The report, which measures parity between men and women in four key dimensions, ranked Ukraine 81 out of 146 countries worldwide, pointing to significant gender inequality persisting in the country. The report’s findings also showed that since 2020, Ukraine’s ranking has declined – from 59th out of 153 in 2020 and 74th out of 156 in 2021. The report suggests that the health and survival dimension is the most promising for Ukraine, ranking 37th. Conversely, Ukraine is at the bottom of the list in terms of political empowerment, ranking 100th out of 146.
****
Our Stories
Uliana Dzhurliak and the NEST Initiative: Giving War Victims Hope for New Homes
From the outset of war, Uliana Dzhurliak, a project manager at the NEST Initiative launched by the Serhiy Prytula charitable foundation, has been developing solutions to resettle internally displaced persons in safe and comfortable conditions.
NEST initiative allows people who lost their homes due to war to get a free temporary mobile home and install it on their property. NEST has already successfully assembled 16 mobile houses at the Makariv territorial community of the Kyiv oblasts, with 20 more being installed. Looking ahead, the NEST team plans to expand its efforts to other newly liberated regions of Ukraine. The initiative`s mission is to restore a sense of belonging and identity for those who have lost their homes to Russia’s aggression and bring homes back to Ukrainians.
****
Civil Society News
Bill on Transparency of Military Procurement, co-Authored by Anti-Corruption Action Center, Signed into Law by the President
On March 21, the President of Ukraine signed Law No. 8381, which mandates the publication of prices for goods and services procured for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, except for weapons, in the Prozorro system. The law, co-authored by the Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), marks an essential step toward ensuring transparency and accountability in the Ministry of Defense`s procurement process. AntAC will monitor the implementation of the law to ensure that the funds intended for the victory are not diverted to corrupt individuals.
****
Human Rights Defenders Applaud the International Criminal Court’s Decision on the Arrest of the President of Russia
On March 18th, the “Tribunal for Putin” initiative released a statement welcoming the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for their involvement in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Human rights defenders urge the ICC to continue taking all necessary steps to prosecute and punish those who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide on Ukrainian territory. They also call for the states obligated to comply with the ICC’s decision to provide extensive assistance in its implementation, and for the Ukrainian government to ratify the Rome Statute as soon as possible.
****
Civil Society Organizations Call on the Parliament to Refrain from Restricting the Right to Information
On March 17, civil society organizations issued a joint statement calling on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to reject draft law No. 7033-d, which restricts access to the court register, and draft law No.8359, which allows not to record court hearings. CSOs believe that the draft laws pose a danger of disproportionate restriction of society’s access to information and the right to a fair trial, create conflicts with the legislation, and contradict the values of a democratic society. They urge the MPs to reject them as harmful to justice, freedom of speech, and public access to open information.
****
SavED Raises Awareness of Ukraine`s Education Challenges During Wartime
Since late February 2022, more than 440 general secondary schools across Ukraine have been destroyed and more than 2700 seriously damaged due to war. To understand the consequences of war on Ukrainian education and the participants of its process, SavED and the Cedos think tank conducted a study that covers changes in the organization of the educational process, the damage to the educational infrastructure, and the impact of war on the participants of the educational process.
****
National Interests Advocacy Network “ANTS” Creates a Course on Assessing Environmental Damage from Russia`s Aggression
The National Interests Advocacy Network “ANTS” and the Prometheus platform launched a course on war-caused environmental damage assessment. The course participants will learn to document and calculate the damages inflicted on the environment by Russia`s aggression, apply relevant legislation, and identify sources of information. Researching the environmental impact of war will assist communities and institutions in obtaining compensation from the government and international donors and will contribute to the recovery of Ukraine.
****
Opportunities
New Opportunities: USAID/ENGAGE is Looking for Qualified Specialists
We have updated the list of vacancies on the USAID/ENGAGE website! New opportunities include Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, Grants and Contracts Assistant, and Inclusion Program Officer. Click on the link to view all opportunities and do not hesitate to apply or share with those who may be interested! Follow the updates on our website in the “Opportunities” section.
****
Apply Now: USAID/ENGAGE Extends an Updated Grant Competition with More Opportunities for Civil Society Actors
We are excited to announce that the institutional and project grant mechanism for civil society initiatives, launched by USAID/ENGAGE, has been extended to provide even greater support for the urgent needs of CSOs. If you have not yet applied, we invite you to do so. Interested organizations may submit their applications until May 15, 2025. To learn more about these new opportunities and updates, please click on the link below to visit our website.
****
SIDA Announces a Competition for Leaders Who Want to Change the World
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is accepting applications for the Leadership for Transformative Change program. Program participants will work on leadership development, systemic change, innovation and flexibility, and concrete methods for co-creation and social change. Registration is open until April 5, 2023.
****
