September 15 marks the International Day of Democracy. They say it’s dying. They find it attacked by populists and general alienation within the society. They just conclude that it does not belong to a post-truth world. Indeed, democracy is precious – and that’s why we cannot experience it unless we are deprived of our basic rights or are discarded from decision-making. Democracy is not a privilege – it’s a bumpy road that may take us to a society where we all can feel equal and heard.
In this issue of our newsletter, we take a close look at the recent data on the state of democracy in Ukraine and offer you a bunch of top news and opportunities from and for Ukrainian civil society. Get engaged in our traditional bulletin.
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In recent years, we may witness democracy in decline around the world. This trend didn`t bypass Ukraine, which, in terms of political rights and civil liberties was ranked as a “partially free” country in the Freedom in the World-2022 Report. Compared with the previous year, Ukraine gained one point in the ranking – from 60 to 61 out of 100 points. While the report notes that Ukraine enacted a number of positive reforms, corruption remains endemic, and the government’s initiatives to combat it met resistance and experienced setbacks. Check our chart for more details.
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Civil Society Activists Travel to the US to Advocate for Continued Support for Ukraine
On September 12-16, representatives of the New Europe Center, the National Interests Advocacy Network ANTS, and the Anti-Corruption Action Center joined an advocacy visit to Washington, DC. Activists will meet with local analysts, journalists, and public figures from the Departments of State and Defense and the Congress to inform them about Ukraine’s expectations for further support to counter Russia’s aggression. The goal of the trip is to express gratitude to the American partners for their support, as well as to communicate the priority tasks, the solution of which will help bring Ukraine`s victory in the war closer.
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Tribunal for Putin initiative Launches a Multi-Language Website About Russia’s War Crimes
Human rights activists of the Tribunal for Putin initiative have launched a website about Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. In the six months of Russian aggression, human rights defenders have documented more than 18.5 thousand criminal episodes in various areas of the country. To disseminate information about the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, all materials are presented in seven languages – Ukrainian, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, and French.
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Center of United Actions Awards Winners of the Creative Competition
On September 8, the Center of United Actions hosted an award ceremony for the creative contest “The country won’t make itself.” The organization received 334 works, among which the jury chose 18 winners in five nominations: best poster, best art design, best slogan, best painting, and best video. The viewers also voted for the nomination “Audience Award.” The winners will receive prizes from partners, and the best works will be printed and presented in various Ukrainian cities.
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Ukrainian Leadership Academy Launches an Information Campaign to Reveal How Youth See the Future of Ukraine
Ukrainian Leadership Academy is launching the #FightForFuture campaign to show how young people see the future of Ukraine. The organization invites conscious and active youth to join a national brainstorming on the Instagram page and propose visions and solutions for the development of Ukraine after the victory. The campaign will show what changes and ideas young Ukrainians want to implement in various spheres of life to build a modern European state. The best ideas will be included in a final video and shared with the leaders of Ukraine.
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EdCamp Ukraine Raises Awareness of the Risks of Explosives
EdCamp Ukraine invites teachers to participate in the professional development program, which will take place on September 21 – October 1. During the program, you will learn about types of explosive objects; rules of conduct in areas potentially contaminated with explosive objects; how to teach children to behave safely in such areas. Program participants will also be able to receive a certificate of professional development.
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Crimean Tatar Resource Center to Host a Press Conference on the Results of the #LIBERATECRIMEA Information Campaign
On September 15 at 12:30, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center will hold a press conference: “Information campaign #LIBERATECRIMEA: results” at the Ukrinform information agency. During the event, the speakers will talk about the results of the campaign, which was designed to increase the awareness of Ukrainians about the situation in occupied Crimea. The broadcast of the event will also be available on the CSO`s Facebook page.
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CASE Ukraine Will Discuss Labor Migration After the War
Is Ukraine ready for labor migration after the war? What should be the state policy towards such migrants? From which other countries can we attract labor resources? Join the discussion by CASE Ukraine, which will take place on September 15 at 12:00, and get answers to these questions. The event will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.
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Apply Now! Grant Competition to Document War Crimes
The Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union announces a competition for documenting war crimes. The program is a response to the challenge related to the critical need to protect the rights of the affected population of Ukraine, in-depth monitoring of violations caused by active hostilities, and the expansion of the occupied territories, as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. Organizations must send a package of documents by September 19, 2022.
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Grant Competition for Women’s/Feminist Organizations of Ukraine
“Women’s Voice and Leadership – Ukraine” announces a grant competition for Ukrainian women’s/feminist organizations. CSO expects applications from representatives of such initiatives, who want to better understand their target audience, expand it, attract a new generation of activists and leaders to the women’s/feminist movement, as well as establish systematic and long-term work with volunteers. The application deadline is October 12, 2022.
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Grant Competition to Implement the Project That Will Support Electoral Law Reform in Post-War Ukraine
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) invites non-governmental organizations with relevant experience and operational capacity to participate in the grant competition to implement the project “Inclusive Electoral Law Reform for Post-War Elections in Ukraine.” The deadline for submitting applications is September 29, 2022.
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