Civil society leaders of Ukraine learned to better use opportunities of European integration

September 16-20, leaders of various fields of civil society spent their time in Kyiv, studying opportunities of European integration. Participants passed a rigorous competitive selection (at least 4 applications for one place). The school was organized by the Institute of Political Education and the International Renaissance Foundation. The organizers ensured that civil activists are provided with practical knowledge and skills for use of European integration opportunities, particularly in promoting reforms, introduction of European standards and practices in Ukraine. To achieve this, best local and foreign experts on European integration processes were invited. Besides, participants got acquainted with the European Union Office in Ukraine, Council of Europe Office and the Embassy of Poland in Ukraine.

Experts covered such issues as mechanisms of interaction between NGOs, state authorities, EU and Council of Europe institutions concerning providing consultations and preparation of contributions to monitoring reports, opportunities for receiving financial assistance for Ukrainian NGOs from EU institutions. Participants expressed special interest in opportunity to influence Ukrainian authorities via European Union institutions, in particular via the European Commission which provides financial assistance to the Government. The participants repeatedly discussed mechanism of using this opportunity with experts.

If participants, who represent human rights, environmental, youth NGOs, organizations of consumers, trade unions, business associations, were to share their views on problems in Ukraine with the European community, the latter would get such responses.

In general, participants covered over ten problematic issues that cause low level of living in Ukraine. The majority of expressed opinions were general, however, some civil activists provided expert vision and detailed explanation of the causes of problems. At the same time, about 10% of participants did not submit any issue which they consider topical for Ukraine. Among mentioned issues were: problem of corruption in the process of funds allocation by donor agencies, gender discrimination, lack of common social program on public healthcare etc. Some activists pointed out that authorities’ failure to implement its international commitments is a major problem in Ukraine, which leads to numerous facts of violations of human rights, freedom of speech and legitimate interests of different social groups, including disabled people. Despite variety of discussed issues, some of them were most widely mentioned. About 10% of civil activists mentioned corruption and lack of structural reforms as the most burning issues. Participants also noted problem of poor cooperation between NGOs and authorities and problems in the system of education. About 15% of participants mentioned these two problems. However, civil activists not only noted problematic issues but also highlighted their vision of the most important positive changes that have recently happened in the country. Among those they mentioned conduct of presidential election, congress of women’s organizations, improvement of access to various training programs and possibility to free expression of opinion.

Some participants noted the changes in public consciousness. Thus, according to one activist, “people no longer unconditionally believe political slogans, and rather started thinking”.

Summarizing positive developments noted by participants, such developments can be identified as most significant: the authorities started to work more efficiently in terms of management (mentioned by 10% of participants) and increase of the activity of youth in the field of European integration, resulting in increased number of international projects (15% of participants mentioned).

Clearly, this list is not exhaustive in terms of problems and positive changes taking place in Ukraine. Yet, participants of the School expressed hope that more positive changes can be expected in future, because civil activists realized how they can influence the government and solve important social issues, including via European Union institutions.

Author: Volodymyr Bocharov-Tuz, Creative Union “TORO” for European Space

Contact person: Lyubomyr Hrytsak, tel. (044) 278-55-16, office@ipo.org.ua

Photos – Volodymyr Oros