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.

Civil Society and Media

USAID’s civil society programs aim to foster civic activism and build the long-term sustainability of civil society organizations through the activities of the Ukrainian Strengthening Civil Society Organizations project (UNITER) and Eurasia Foundation. UNITER works to strengthen the organizational capacity of a core group of leading Ukrainian NGOs. The program addresses the financial viability and technical capabilities of leader NGOs in such key areas such as advocacy, organizational development, grant-making, and the NGO enabling environment. The Eurasia Foundation recently launched its Ukrainian legacy organization, the East Europe Foundation (EEF), which will mobilize public and private resources for community, social, and economic development. In 2008, EEF expects to focus on six program areas, including the promotion of corporate social responsibility, local economic development, sustainable solutions for vulnerable groups, municipal partnerships, business and economics education, and building capacity to govern justly and fairly.

The Strengthening Independent Media in Ukraine (U-Media) program aims to protect the right of free speech, promote fair professional practices, increase the availability and quality of news, and ensure an independent, financially viable media.

Read more about Strengthening Civil Society Organizations program and Eurasia Foundation, Independent Media.

Legislative Functions and Processes

PDP works to strengthen the capacity of Ukraine’s Parliament in developing legislation and establishing processes and institutions that are benchmarks of progressive democratic parliaments . This includes support for legislative oversight of the executive; making the Verkhovna Rada’s operations more effective; improving the parliament’s lawmaking processes; developing more effective and democratic internal management systems; and increasing access by and involvement of citizens in the legislative process.

Read more about Legislative Policy Development Program.

Political Competition

The program supports more effective, democratic political parties; improved governance practices; free, fair and participatory elections processes; and civic participation in the democratic process. This includes training programs for political party activists, local elected officials and politically engaged youth. The program also focuses on building NGO capacity to increase its role in a democratic society. One program component includes an annual public opinion survey to gauge citizen attitudes on significant socio-political issues.

Read more about Political Process Program implemented by National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI).

Rule of Law

This program increases access to quality legal services and improved legal education. The goal is to expand the scope of pro bono legal services by supporting the development of five new legal clinics and seven new advocacy centers in underrepresented regions, and maintaining a legal defense fund to finance large impact litigation, such as class action suits. Through this program, USAID also supports legal education reform via curriculum development, teacher training and other initiatives.

Read more about Adherence to Rule of Law and about Combating Corruption and Strengthening Rule of Law program.

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