Ukraine is seeking to become a nation ruled by law, where human rights are respected and freedom of speech and press ensured, in which government policy and activity reflects the needs and wishes of an informed citizenry, and to whom representatives are responsive and officials are accountable.

Elections

Activities are designed to make parties more responsive and accountable to citizens and better fulfill governance roles at the local level, as well as to increase the participation of Ukrainians, particularly youth and women. USAID also focuses on fostering reform of the legal and regulatory framework helping the Central Election Commission (CEC) in training of election commissioners in preparation for the upcoming Parliamentary elections. The Civic Oversight of Elections in Ukraine (COEU) program was designed to assist Ukraine’s citizens and civic groups in creating more transparent and competitive elections.

Independent Media

USAID program that seeks to strengthen independent media in Ukraine has three major objectives: reform of the legal environment that will protect free speech and fair professional practices for media while encouraging transparency in media ownership and influence; strengthening of financial viability of independent media mostly at the regional level; increased availability and quality of news, which will allow to engage citizens in the issues of local importance. Another USAID program, called the Ukraine Reform Education Program (UREP), is closely working with the Ukrainian media to promote awareness and participation of Ukrainian citizens in economic, social and democratic reforms. UREP regularly informs journalists about the various reform issues through a network of 25 press clubs in each oblast and in the city of Kyiv.

Rule of Law

Since 1992, USAID rule of law program has worked on a variety of projects, including creating legal advocacy centers specializing in human rights, environmental law, and election law; training judges on new legislation and application of international conventions; developing student legal clinics and furthering the acceptance of clinical legal education in the Ukrainian law curriculum; designing and implementing pilot projects on a new case flow management system; and implementing a wide range of public legal literacy initiatives. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing a five-year program to "Counter Trafficking in Persons," focusing on both prevention and reintegration of trafficked persons, primarily women and children between the ages of 12 and 25 years.

Civil Society 

USAID provides support to non-government organizations in Ukraine through the Ukraine Citizen Action Network program. The anticipated results include: more effective advocacy by Ukrainian citizens through collective action to protect and defend citizens rights and interest; enhanced legal and regulatory framework that protects and encourages civic activism; improved financial viability of NGOs; increased professionalism and greater adherence to standards of ethics among NGOs. USAID also supports the Ukrainian NGOs via the Eurasia Foundation to encourage citizens to play an active role in their communities.

Community Partnerships/Local Government

The Community Partnerships for Local Government Training and Education Project (CPP) provides public administration education and training to local governments in Ukraine in support of decentralization and citizen-based government. The guiding principles for the project include: promoting sustainable and replicable innovations in municipal administration; establishing mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships to promote improved local government practices; creating a network of progressive local governments supporting each other in their reform advancements; and developing a "critical mass" of individuals and institutions working for change in Ukraine.  

The Local Economic Development (LED) program will directly impact 50 participating cities and indirectly benefit hundreds more through dissemination of LED Best Practices on how to prepare strategic plans based on balanced economic growth, and how to improve the business environment in their communities to nurture the growth of business activity, employment income, and local tax base. Support to the Association of Ukrainian Cities (AUC) will increase the scope and content of professional training to municipal officials, and the capacity to develop and implement legislation at the national level to promote local government fiscal and political autonomy. USAID will provide assistance to 20 municipalities to improve the cost-effectiveness of municipal services, i.e., drinking water, waste water management, and district heating systems.  

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