Verkhovna Rada adopts Law on Public Consultations
On June 20, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law #4254 "On Public Consultations" in the second reading and overall. This announcement was made by Olena Shulyak, Chair of the Committee on the Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning. The new law aims to promote democracy, enhance public administration quality, and increase the legitimacy of government decisions. Key provisions of the law include:
USAID RADA: Next Generation has actively advocated for the adoption of this law. The Program provided expert support and developed recommendations to improve the law's effectiveness and supported public consultations through the Citizens and Parliament grant program. In particular, USAID RADA: Next Generation grantee NGO Institute Respublica, in cooperation with the VRU Committee on the organization of state power, local self-government, regional development, and urban planning, conducted public consultations on improving the procedure for Ukrainians to receive compensation for housing damaged and destroyed by Russia’s aggression, and on modern and effective housing policy. NGO Institute Respublica delivered a training program for VRU Committee staffers, MP aides, and NGOs, titled "Public consultations as a quality tool for the development of draft laws."
Verkhovna Rada makes several decisions during the June 18-20 plenary session
MPs adopted the following laws:
Passed in first reading were the following:
In addition, MPs ratified several agreements with Lithuania, Albania, and Slovakia, allowing the family members of employees at diplomatic missions and consular offices to engage in paid activities. An Agreement between Ukraine and the Netherlands on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Restricted Information was also ratified.
First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Reports to MPs
On June 21, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko addressed the Parliament during an hour of questions to the government. In her speech, she highlighted that the Cabinet of Ministers is working on updating the resolution on booking to streamline and expedite the process for all parties involved. She also reported that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has secured $85.4 billion in international financial assistance. Additionally, the Cabinet is currently preparing to attract $7.9 billion in financial and economic support from the United States.
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps Verkhovna Rada to resolve IDP challenges during war
On June 17, USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitated a conference titled "Cash assistance to internally displaced persons," organized by the VRU Interim Special Commission on the protection of rights of internally displaced and other persons affected by Russia's aggression. The conference brought together stakeholders, including Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine; Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine; Roman Yermolychev, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine; MPs, international partners, and CSOs. Participants discussed the challenges of cash assistance for IDPs in Ukraine; ensured citizen engagement in decision-making; facilitated a collaborative environment for stakeholders to share practices and approaches to cash assistance for IDPs; and strengthened partnerships and coordination between Parliament, Government, international organizations, and CSOs to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive response to the needs of IDPs.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhances ethics standards of VRU Research Service
On June 18-19, USAID RADA: Next Generation held a training session on parliamentary ethics for 30 staffers of the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (RSVRU). The first day covered the concepts of parliamentary and professional ethics. The second day participants focused on international standards of parliamentary ethics, ethical standards, and the principles of Ukrainian parliamentarism.
USAID RADA: Next Generation strengthens Parliament’s communication capacities with US Congress visit
From June 9-15, seven representatives from the VRU Communications Unit participated in a study visit to the U.S. Congress. During the visit, they had the opportunity to observe the operational frameworks of Congressional Press Services and Correspondents' Associations in the United States. The visit aimed to provide insights that could help advance similar entities within Ukraine's media landscape while upholding the principles of a free and responsible press within Ukraine's democratic framework. Meetings with the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association (RTCA) and directors of several U.S. Capitol Press galleries were particularly significant for the group.
USAID RADA: Next Generation enhances digital and AI skills of a 7thVRU Model Committee
In June 2024, USAID RADA: Next Generation initiated cooperation with the VRU Committee on Economic Development, identifying key areas of communication support. As part of this effort, USAID RADA: Next Generation began upgrading e-Parliamentary tools to enhance the Committee's communication capacity, focusing on the digitalization of VRU documents and processes. At the Committee's request, USAID RADA: Next Generation provided its Secretariat with access to Chat GPT-4.0, DeepL Translator, and the graphic design program Canva Pro. The Committee will use these services to improve its workflow by creating information search requests, writing and adapting texts for different target audiences, translating, proofreading, and editing documents, and creating graphic design products. USAID RADA: Next Generation currently offers communication support to seven VRU Committees and has equipped seven of the VRU Secretariat’s structural units with Chat GPT-4.0, DeepL Translator, and Canva Pro. This initiative aims to strengthen Parliament’s external communication capacity and improve interactions with civil society and other stakeholders via social media channels.
New USAID RADA: Next Generation Chief of Party establishes partnership with VRU Secretariat and parliamentary factions
This week, Marten Ehnberg, the new Chief of Party of USAID RADA: Next Generation, met with Viacheslav Shtuchnyi, Secretary General of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. They discussed cooperation priorities and plans. Mr. Shtuchnyi provided Mr. Ehnberg with a guided tour of Parliament, emphasizing USAID RADA: Next Generation Programs's significant role in parliamentary support. He also noted that the Communication Strategy, developed with USAID RADA: Next Generation support, is in its final stages. In another meeting, Ehnberg met with MP Yulia Klymenko of the “Voice” faction. Klymenko proposed launching a training course for potential future MPs to educate them on working in the VRU. She recommended that the USAID RADA: Next Generation Program focus more on policy-making rather than procurement. Ehnberg also met with Lesya Vaolevska, Head of the VRU Research Service, to discuss planning activities for Year 4. They agreed that USAID RADA: Next Generation would continue to support exchange activities, including study visits.
USAID RADA: Next Generation highlights the work of Ukraine’s Parliament during wartime at the Austrian Parliament
On June 20, USAID RADA: Next Generation Research Department lead Stanislav Ivasyk presented the “Parliament in the war” research in the Austrian Parliament during the Day of Parliamentary Research 2024. He presented a fresh report encompassing the timeframe from the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine until now, specifically focusing on the legislative process, finding political consensus, and Parliamentary communications. The report delves into the primary trends observed in Parliament's operations amidst the ongoing conflict. The research not only shares the experience of Ukraine’s Parliament with other parliaments around the world, it could help to develop recommendations on how to ensure the constancy and continuity of the work of governmental institutions in trying circumstances.
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps the VRU Research Service improve its visibility among stakeholders
USAID RADA: Next Generation produced four retractable banners for the VRU Research Service initiative for use during public events. The banners support a unifying branding style for the VRU Secretariat and the Ukrainian Parliament. USAID RADA: Next Generation has thus far produced 74 branded products for 24 parliamentary structural units.
USAID RADA: Next Generation-supported art exhibit features Parliaments from around the world
USAID RADA: Next Generation supported an exhibition of drawings by artist Oleksiy Kustovsky, showcasing the uniqueness and architectural grandeur of parliamentary buildings in countries friendly to Ukraine. The exhibition will be on display from June 18 to July 2 in the administrative building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The exposition features 32 drawings of parliaments in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and others.