USAID RADA: Next Generation supports high-level Interparliamentary diplomacy by facilitating VRU Speaker’s US visit
On July 8, while a Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, visited Washington, D.C. for the NATO Parliamentary Summit, the RADA: Next Generation Program hosted an Ambassadorial Briefing titled "War, Democracy, and Parliament: Ukraine 2024." Held at Washington’s Ukraine House, the event aimed to provide a platform for the VRU Speaker to engage with leading political and research circles in the United States. It served as a unique opportunity for attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by the Ukrainian Parliament during wartime and highlight the successful capacity-building story of a Parliament operating in a country at war. More than 60 participants, including H.E. Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, and Mårten Ehnberg, USAID RADA Next Generation Program Chief of Party, joined the event. On July 8, Russia bombed the largest children's hospital, Okhmatdyt, in Kyiv, and the VRU Speaker, in his speech, drew the attendees’ attention to the horrific destruction from the bombing and showed pictures both on the screen and in hard copy. Stefanchuk highlighted the importance of Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, integration into NATO's defense planning process, and sustainable, uninterrupted, and long-term military support for Ukraine.
USAID RADA: Next Generation promotes Verkhovna Rada transparency and parliamentary diplomacy in wartime
On July 8, USAID RADA: Next Generation held a conference titled "Transparency of the Verkhovna Rada and Parliamentary Diplomacy in Wartime" dedicated to the International Day of Parliamentarism. The event fostered a public discussion on the achievements, current challenges, and future priorities to enhance the institutional capacity of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The conference stressed the importance of Parliament in preserving democratic values even in wartime. Deputy VRU Speaker Oleksandr Kornienko noted Program’s input in building stable inter-parliamentary relations. Olena Shuliak, Chairwoman of the State-Building Committee, thanked USAID RADA: Next Generation for supporting the Law on Public Consultations. All the speakers agreed that Ukraine’s Parliament did a lot to become more open during the war, but there is still a need for better citizen engagement and increased transparency.
USAID RADA: Next Generation holds strategic session to strengthen VRU Secretariat's communication and oversight functions
On July 11, USAID RADA: Next Generation hosted a strategic session with staffers of the VRU Secretariat, led by Secretary General Vyacheslav Shtuchnyi, and Members of Parliament. More than 80 participants reviewed projects undertaken in the last two years of Program and outlined future directions. The Program assists the VRU in implementing effective communication tools with stakeholders, executing legislative and oversight functions, conducting research, and enhancing the quality of the entire policymaking cycle. During the strategic session, participants discussed:
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps Verkhovna Rada ensure the rights and freedoms of IDPs
USAID RADA: Next Generation continues to support the Interim Special Commission on IDPs. Program experts helped prepare the agenda and coordinated requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Culture for the July 24 ISC meeting. The Program also prepared an analytical report on the relevant legislation, focusing on ensuring the rights and freedoms of IDPs, including housing and access to legal aid. The report assesses the current version of the IDP law, its compliance with UN Guiding Principles, and the overall implementation of its provisions.
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates establishment of Parliamentary Budget Office
On July 12, USAID RADA: Next Generation held a meeting focused on strengthening Parliament’s budget process and establishing a Budget Office. More than 40 participants attended, including Deputy Minister of Finance Denys Ulutin, Deputy VRU Speaker Oleksandr Kornienko, and the Head of the VRU Committee on Budget, Roksolana Pidlasa. Two experts from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Alla Dubrovyk-Rokhova and Ruslan Rokhov, presented a needs assessment based on online surveys and individual interviews, highlighting Ukraine's specific challenges in creating a Parliamentary budget office. Participants exchanged views on necessary changes in the state budget process, including preparation, discussion, adoption, and MPs' financial and economic justification of laws. The discussion emphasized the importance of having an independent, non-partisan body to provide fiscal analysis and to support Parliamentary decision-making. The Program legal expert presented international experiences with Parliamentary budget offices, outlining their roles and functions in countries such as Italy, Austria, Canada, and the United States.
USAID RADA: Next Generation builds capacity of Parliamentary political factions and their staff
On July 10, the International Republican Institute, with Program support, conducted a meeting with political factions in Fastiv (Kyiv region). It was the third event with parties represented in the Verkhovna Rada. In total, 21 participants joined the event, including MP Oleg Dunda, local party members, businessmen, and local civic activists. The meeting aimed to build the capacity of the Parliamentary political factions and their staff teams. IRI experts shared USAID RADA: Next Generation survey results as a platform for discussion about ways to build productive cooperation between political parties, NGOs and other local stakeholders. Participants discussed ways to engage citizens in lawmaking and proposed mechanisms for increasing the quality of mutual interaction and inclusion in decision-making.
USAID RADA: Next Generation trains VRU staffers on legislative process
On July 9-11, USAID RADA: Next Generation conducted a training on the legislative process for 25 VRU staffers. The event was held in cooperation with the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The training aimed to provide knowledge on the process of law preparation and adoption within the Ukrainian Parliament and acquaint participants with the VRU Rules of Procedure.
USAID RADA: Next Generation works with VRU to focus on cultural heritage during wartime
On July 12-13, USAID RADA: Next Generation supported the VRU Committee on Information and Humanitarian Policy during a field meeting in the Volyn region. The aim was to facilitate a local government and Ministry of Information Policy discussion on adapting the cultural sector during wartime and developing it post-war. Key topics included securing funds for cultural heritage maintenance, enhancing museums' role in promoting national identity, improving charity legislation, and leveraging cultural heritage for tourism development. Participants also discussed establishing a funding mechanism, drafting legislative changes, and forming state-community partnerships for heritage preservation. The meeting emphasized developing a comprehensive cultural plan, enhancing museum programs, and creating a collaborative framework for tourism. It concluded with a commitment to safeguard and promote Ukraine's cultural heritage.