When one is helpless, a group united by a common vision can move mountains. Even before the war – and especially after it broke out, we witnessed multiple examples of uniting for a greater cause – with your neighbors and friends or under the lead of civil society organizations. Staying together is the lever Archimedes once looked for to move the Earth.
In this issue, we will offer some valuable insights into citizens` participation in CSO activities and trust in civic organizations, as well as an array of hot-baked news and opportunities from and for Ukrainian civil society. Get engaged in our weekly digest!
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In the modern world, civil society organizations are drivers of change. They mobilize citizens to influence decision-making, raise important issues and shape a better future. Do Ukrainians choose to be active and join these processes instead of staying aside? Our Civic Engagement Poll reveals that participation in CSO activities has seen unprecedented growth in 2022. 15% of respondents say they actively join the activities of civic organizations vs 4% in September 2021, while 32% seldom engage (29% in 2021). At the same time, fewer people claim they do not participate because they don’t have interest (12% vs 41% in 2021). Talking of trust in CSOs, almost half of Ukrainians (43%) believe they are trustworthy and important. Check for more in our chart!
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CHESNO Movement Launches National Campaign to Identify Collaborators and Traitors
CHESNO Movement launches a national campaign ‘Hand Over the Traitors Here.” The campaign encourages citizens to identify persons responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, and add them to the Register of Traitors maintained by the CSO. Citizens can share information about collaborators and traitors via the online form and QR Code placed on billboards in Kyiv and four oblasts: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
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EdCamp Launches a Good Deeds Initiative for Ukrainian Educators
To celebrate the Day of Dignity and Freedom, EdCamp Ukraine invites teachers to join the #dobrochallenge. This initiative was created by the head of the CSO, who adapted the rules of the classic Stanford five dollars experiment for Ukrainian educators, encouraging helping others, teamwork, and creativity. The main rule of the #dobrochallenge is to create good deeds in a short time and with little money. Read more about the #dobrochallenge at the link.
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Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2022 Honors Heroes of the Educational Front
The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine awarded tablets to seven teachers, previously honored during the national telethon on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on October 2. Two children evacuated from the temporarily occupied Kherson oblast also received gadgets to continue their studies while waiting for the victory. Do you know teachers who deserve to be heard by the world? Nominate them on the website until November 30. You can read more stories about heroes of the educational front on the GTPU Facebook page.
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GoGlobal Launches an Educational and Motivational Program for Youth
On November 7, GoGlobal launched the educational and motivational program “Country of Mutually Beautiful People” for schoolteachers and their students from different regions of Ukraine. The program includes important information on critical thinking, media literacy, mental health activities, and inspirational stories. For three weeks, participants will work in teams and create a Manifesto of the vision of their contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
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Kharkiv Anticorruption Center Investigates Mismanagement of Public Funds in Kharkiv and the Newly Liberated Areas in the Region
Last week, the Kharkiv Anticorruption Center (KhAC) released a series of publications that investigate possible mismanagement of public funds by local officials. CSO discovered several cases of suspicious procurement. For example, the distribution of UAH 700 million for road construction to firms affiliated with Russian businesses. By constantly covering facts of corruption, KhAC aims to establish an intolerant attitude of citizens towards this phenomenon and to punish corrupt officials.
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ISAR Ednannia to Host the 11th Civil Society Development Forum
On December 5, on the International Day of Volunteers, ISAR Ednannia will host the 11th Civil Society Development Forum. The forum is the largest Ukrainian platform for learning, communication, and the exchange of experiences for civil society organizations. Every year, the Forum brings together civic activists, philanthropists, volunteers, representatives of business companies and donor organizations, and heads of state, and local government representatives to discuss the most pressing issues of development not only of civil society but also of the whole country. To participate in the event, please register at the link below.
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Zagoriy Foundation Launches Free Online Charity Course
Zagoriy Foundation starts accepting applications for the free online course for non-profit organizations “Charity Match: Reboot.” The course will consist of two modules, during which participants will learn how to start a charity, manage an organization, build effective partnerships, fundraise and communicate. The application deadline is November 14, 2022.
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Swedish Institute Announces a Program for Civil Society Leaders
Are you a leader in an organization working for a more just, peaceful, and inclusive society? Apply to SI Leader Lab – a leadership program designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations for successful advocacy work for Sustainable Development Goal 16 (promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies). The application deadline is November 30.
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What We Read: School for Policy Analysis Discovers the Attitude of Ukrainians Towards Temporarily Occupied Territories
The School for Policy Analysis of NaUKMA released a survey “Occupied Territories and Russia: Vision and Attitude of Ukrainians.” The survey testifies that most Ukrainians do not consider those who remained in the occupied territories as enemies: 59.8% of Ukrainians think so, and 21.8% are not sure about their attitude. The survey also revealed that 31% of Ukrainians do not support the introduction of criminal liability for obtaining Russia`s passports in the temporarily occupied territories. On the other hand, 41.2% support this idea. Check more findings by the link.
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