July 2025. All of Ukraine takes to the streets in protest against the threat to undermine the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

It all began with draft law No. 12414, which the Verkhovna Rada had voted for the day before. The public reaction was so strong that within just a few days the decision had to be reconsidered, and a new document — No. 13533 — was adopted, restoring the independence of the anti-corruption bodies.

Could it all have happened differently?

Possibly. But in this case, it was precisely the pressure of civil society that stopped a critical decision. And this is just one of the most high-profile cases. Every year, hundreds of decisions are adopted in Ukraine that affect everyone.

You have a real influence on each of them — and this is not only about protests.

Public consultations are one such tool. In this article, we explain how they work in more detail.

What are public consultations and how do they work?

Public consultations are a process during which public authorities collect and analyze proposals from interested parties regarding draft laws, public policy, or decisions at the local level.

This mechanism allows citizens, experts, civil society organizations, and businesses to participate in the preparation of government decisions.

Who initiates public consultations?

According to the Law of Ukraine “On Public Consultations,” consultations may be initiated by:

1. a Member of Parliament of Ukraine;
2. a committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
3. the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, a ministry, another central executive authority, or a local executive authority;
4. an authority of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea;
5. a local self-government body;
6. a state collegial body responsible for shaping and/or implementing public policy;
7. the National Bank of Ukraine;
8. another public authority when exercising powers granted by law;
9. an enterprise, institution, organization, or self-regulatory organization when exercising powers granted by law.

Forms of public consultations

• electronic consultations — discussion of draft decisions in a remote format;
• targeted consultations — surveys or collection of positions from specific stakeholders;
• public discussions — round tables, hearings, conferences, focus groups, or meetings.

Public consultations may be conducted simultaneously in several formats.

How can citizens participate?

Anyone may submit a proposal or comment on a draft decision through an online consultation platform, by email, or during public discussions.

The public authority is obliged to collect these proposals, analyze them, and publish a report on the consultation results.

Why is this important?

Public consultations are held at a stage when a decision can still be changed. This makes it possible to take different interests into account, avoid policy mistakes, and increase trust in government.

That is why public consultations are not just a formality, but a tool that gives citizens a real opportunity to influence what laws and public policies will look like.

This material was published within the framework of the project “Implementation of Public Consultation Legislation — Engaging Citizens in Decision-Making,” implemented by the Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.