About

USAID RADA: Next Generation (RANG) Program

USAID Rada: Next Generation Program is a five-year initiative (2021-2026) implemented by Internews-Ukraine.

The overall goal of the Program is to advance the “next generation” of reforms that will enable the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) to become a modern, effective institution that promotes accountability and democratic development in Ukraine.

Project goals

Goal 1:

Increase constituent participation in the legislative process through systematic interaction between MPs and voters.

The main tasks:

test different models of MP target communications with voters, taking into account the challenges of the new electoral system and wartime conditions;
implement and improve online tools for voter interaction;
develop models of interaction with local communities to address regional issues at the parliamentary level;
provide the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) with organizational, advisory, and information support to ensure MPs can work effectively in constituencies;
strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations that cooperate with the Parliament and support their initiatives;
support the development of the Code of Parliamentary Ethics;
promote parliamentary civic education and the VRU Education Center.

Goal 2:

Strengthen the Verkhovna Rada’s analytical and oversight capacities and ensure an end-to-end legislative process.

The main tasks:

develop the VRU Research Service as a modern think tank of the Parliament;
strengthen the Training Unit of the VRU Research Service to provide high-quality professional education for MPs, their assistants, and VRU Secretariat staff;
promote the establishment of a law-drafting office as a unit of the VRU Secretariat to assist MPs in high-quality preparation of draft laws;
strengthen the oversight function of parliamentary committees;
develop and test a standardized methodology of post-legislative scrutiny as part of parliamentary procedures;
establish a coordination platform to improve interaction between the Parliament and the government.

Goal 3:

Introduce innovative digital and communication solutions into the Verkhovna Rada's work.

The main tasks:

upgrade Ukraine’s E-Parliament Strategy;
develop new digital solutions for the work of MPs and the VRU Secretariat, including the digitization of VRU documents and processes, and integrate all electronic tools into a single ecosystem;
establish cybersecurity procedures for the Parliament's operations and conduct cybersecurity training sessions for the staff of VRU's Directorate of Computerized systems, MPs, and their aides;
provide expert assistance in developing the VRU Communication Strategy;
support the VRU in planning and implementing strategic parliamentary communications and improve the professional skills of communication unit staffers.

Goal 4:

Support the Verkhovna Rada on war-related activities, preparations for peace, and the post-war environment.

The main tasks:

increase the VRU capacity to conduct public outreach, communications, and public diplomacy under martial law;
assist the Ukrainian Parliament in implementing wartime reforms and exercising legislative and oversight functions effectively;
facilitate the VRU to get involved in developing and carrying out the National Recovery Plan;
enhance the cybersecurity of the Parliament and strengthen its critical ICT infrastructure.

Program activities

The activities of the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program under martial law are focused on the implementation of communication support to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, as well as the implementation of such projects as:

"Accents for Voters" - materials that support MPs and their teams in informing voters about current legislation affecting citizens in martial law and contemporary legal issues regulating various spheres of society.
"Information Briefs" is one of the products of the Parliamentary Research Services, which are created in most parliaments of the world. These are short information materials on current topics. The USAID Council: Next Generation Program is preparing information briefings to provide analytical support to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
"Parliamentary decisions in simple language" - materials that explain in accessible language the main legislative changes implemented in response to wartime needs.
"Digital Security Consultations" for deputies, their assistants, and employees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

Team

Our experts

Partners

USA

American Councils (AC)

strengthen the Parliamentary Education Center (PEC) and equipping it with the innovative tools and instruments;
conduct courses and study visits for professional training in civic education for MPs and VRU staff;
develop comprehensive educational campaigns at the national and regional levels;
provide international experience for the Parliamentary Research Service through a program of study visits.

Ukraine

Agency of Education Policy Development (AEPD)

develops a system of parliamentary civic education in the regions of Ukraine by creating a network of parliamentary educational centers based on secondary schools and out-of-school educational institutions;
assists the VRU Educational Center in conducting training courses, launching a program of parliamentary ambassadors, and organizing a simulation game on parliamentary civic education called “We Are Lawmakers!”.

United Kingdom

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD)

provides technical and thematic support to the VRU committees in the exercise of their legislative oversight function;
helps to develop the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada;
conducts training programs for MPs and committee staff;
establishes links between MPs from the UK and Ukraine.

USA

International Republican Institute (IRI)

strengthens the capacity of parliamentary factions;
enhances the work of MPs in constituencies;
conducts opinion polls and research at the regional level to assess the level of communication and interaction with voters.

Ukraine

Center of Policy and Legal Reform (CPLR)

improves the legislative process by coordinating efforts of the legislature and executive to ensure an end-to-end legislative process;
conducts monitoring and analysis of the draft legislation;
facilitates consultations between the “model committee” and relevant GOU branches to ensure policy-level dialogue and strengthen the oversight in the Parliament.

Sweden

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

assesses the needs for civic education on EU institutions, EU accession efforts and the role of the Verkhovna Rada in European integration;
organizes training for Ukrainian MPs on European integration and European policy;
strengthens communication efforts of the VRU factions on European integration and post-war reconstruction.

Ukraine

National University of the Kyiv Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA)

strengthens the English language skills of the VRU staff and the VRU Research Service;
enhances the lawmaking process and lawmaking practices in Ukraine by organizing the School of Lawmaking.