The civil society sector has strengthened its position for the first time in four years. This follows from the Civil Society Organisations Sustainability Index, – the research results were presented today by the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research. 

The Civil Society Organisations Sustainability Index (CSOSI) is a tool for assessing the strength and overall viability of civil society organisations, covering 74 countries (Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, the East and Latin America). The survey has been conducted since 1997, and in Ukraine since 2005.

In 2022, four of the seven indicators for Ukraine improved, while three remained unchanged, the report states. In particular, the indicators of financial viability, service delivery, sector infrastructure, and public image have increased; while the legal environment, organisational capacity, and advocacy have remained at the same level.

For a detailed report, please follow the link. 

Olga Lymar, the Executive Director of the Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition, noted at the presentation of the report that the index does not for sure demonstrate the results we have achieved: “The index is not a perfect tool in principle. We often hear the phrase: “If you are standing still, you are not moving backwards”. I would modifythis phrase  a bit: “If you are standing still, then in the context of 2022 (a full-scale war, and overall the largest military conflict since the Second World War), you are moving forward. Including the advocacy sector.”

Despite the shelling, the mobilisation of representatives of civil society organisations, the departure of many of them abroad, blackouts, and the lack of air travel for advocacy trips abroad, CSOs continued to work. In particular, at the advocacy level, draft laws that had been developed for years, were eventually adopted. Two suchexamples are the law on administrative procedure or the law “On Media”.

“Advocacy continues, both nationally and internationally. At the same time, I would say that the conditions for advocacy at the local level have deteriorated”, – says Olha Lymar.

“Meanwhile, active citizens is a potential force that we should use for advocacy. We have to work to engage them in discussions of draft laws to promote their perspectives, and those of their communities: “The spirit of civil society that has emerged in Ukraine after 2014, and especially in 2022, is already the subject of research and books. This spirit is unprecedented.” 

At the same time, active citizens are a potential that we should use for advocacy. We must work to engage them in discussions of draft laws to promote their positions and those of their communities: “The spirit of civil society that has emerged in Ukraine after 2014, and especially in 2022, is already the subject of research and books. This spirit is unprecedented.” 

Olga Lymar underlines that the main vectors of advocacy in 2022 in the context of civil society organisations include “international assistance, political, economic and, of course, military”, as well as  “Ukraine’s integration into the EU”. The third topic of advocacy is recovery. 

In 2022, the topic of recovery was not only about rebuilding, but also about continuing reforms. Back in April of that year, when the talks about capturing Kyiv in three days had proved to be nothing but a Russian delusion, the Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition, together with international and national partners, organised a panel discussion on the recovery strategy. At that time, we discussed the concept of the recovery strategy together with representatives of the government and civil society. 

In conclusion, the director of the RPR Coalition assured that giving up on democracy is not an option. After all, the whole world supports us as a democratic state. A state that aspires to the European Union.

“I remember the February polls conducted by the National Democratic Institute – more than 90% of Ukrainians supported the movement towards the EU. More than 75% believed that the condition of giving up the membership in exchange for peace is unacceptable”, – recalled Olha Lymar. “This is unprecedented support, and therefore a very big responsibility. First of all, the responsibility for the government, but also for civil society organisations. After all, they will dictate the reforms for Ukraine’s recovery in the future.”