Ivan Prymachenko to assume parliamentary seat following Oleh Makarov's passing On November 6, the Central Election Commission (CEC) officially recognized Ivan Prymachenko, co-founder of the online educational platform Prometheus, as a newly elected MP. Prymachenko will take the seat of Oleh Makarov, a Voice party MP who passed away on October 29. The CEC named Prymachenko as the next candidate on the Voice party list, where he was ranked 24th. In 2014, Prymachenko co-founded Prometheus, a public project offering massive open online courses. He has also served on the supervisory board of the CEDOS think tank and worked as an expert in the Education and Science Reform group under the Reanimation Package of Reforms. Prymachenko holds a master’s degree in history and studied at Stanford University in the United States through the Ukrainian Emerging Leaders Program.
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates key legislative exchange in Berlin to enhance Ukraine’s lawmaking framework
From November 3 to 9, USAID RADA: Next Generation experts joined a delegation from the Verkhovna Rada, including the Chairman and members of the VRU Committee on Legal Policy, for a working visit to Berlin. This visit focused on discussing amendments and the implementation of Ukraine's Law “On Lawmaking Activity.” It provided valuable insights into Germany's legislative processes and facilitated important connections between the Ukrainian Parliament and Government representatives and their German counterparts in legal policy. Through discussions with German experts and an in-depth review of Germany's experience, the delegation explored ways to regulate lawmaking in Ukraine more effectively. The working group has since drafted proposals to amend and improve the implementation of the Law “On Lawmaking Activity.”
USAID RADA: Next Generation presented a new Strategy for Social Media Development 2024–2025 to VRU communication units
On November 4, USAID RADA: Next Generation experts presented a detailed analysis of VRU’s social media performance over the past year, offering insights into current strengths and areas for improvement. This review was complemented by an overview of current social media trends, helping to position VRU for a more effective and forward-looking online presence. The strategy presentation provided the VRU communication staff with an in-depth look at key priorities for the coming years, focusing on increased transparency, public engagement, and accessibility of parliamentary information. Program’s experts outlined practical steps and innovative tools tailored to align VRU’s digital communication with evolving audience expectations, ensuring VRU’s readiness to meet modern standards and enhance its connection with the public.
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps improve veterans policy in Ukraine
On November 6, USAID RADA: Next Generation joined a briefing led by MP Taras Tarasenko to discuss outcomes from the Veterans Forum, highlighting Program’s role in advancing veteran policy dialogues. Supporting forums titled "Veterans – Path Home" in Ivano-Frankivsk, Zviahel, Lutsk and Ternopil, USAID RADA: Next Generation aims to strengthen local and national policies for veterans' community integration and support. Forums gathered 488 offline participants, facilitating discussions on service accessibility, mental health, and economic independence. Key results include the Verkhovna Rada Committee’s call for faster policy reviews, and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs was urged to expand rehabilitation efforts and create Veteran Development Centers. Draft laws on veterans' policy (#11007, #10258, #11116, and #11123) have also been advanced to enhance family support for servicemembers, and the 2025 state budget includes funding for 75 veteran spaces. Following the Zviahel Forum, the local community was recognized for excellence in veteran policy, and it plans to introduce a "Sports Roadmap for Veterans and Their Families." Insights from the forums informed MP Tarasenko’s report on the National Strategy for Veteran Policy, presented at the Office of the President. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has been tasked to address identified gaps and update veteran support by-laws accordingly. Looking ahead, USAID RADA: Next Generation will support the final forum to shape cohesive national and regional veteran support strategies.
USAID RADA: Next Generation and HOVERLA cooperate to advance veteran inclusion initiatives
On November 7, USAID RADA: Next Generation held a coordination meeting with the HOVERLA Activity team to explore potential collaboration. HOVERLA shared its Year 5 plans for promoting veterans’ inclusion in communities, while USAID RADA: Next Generation highlighted its ongoing work with the VRU Committees on Social Policy and State Building. Both teams agreed to explore joint initiatives for integrating veterans into industrial parks, pending USAID’s approval of HOVERLA’s AIP.
USAID RADA: Next Generation supports VRU Committee on Energy, Housing, and Utilities to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector On November 8, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing, and Utilities, with support from the Program, hosted an online presentation of the Report on the Analysis of Natural Gas Markets in EU Member States. Prepared by Westminster Foundation for Democracy consultants Hanna Klymenko and Roman Kravchenko, the report examines the natural gas markets of Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The study aims to provide insights and best practices to guide recommendations for improving Ukraine’s natural gas market.
USAID RADA: Next Generation raises expertise of MPs and VRU staff to strengthen the VRU’s EU integration capacity
On November 8, USAID RADA: Next Generation began a three-lecture course on EU accession for Ukraine’s MPs and VRU staffers, featuring guest lecturers and practitioners Primož Vehar and Vladimir Medjak. The course covers different practical topics on EU integration, including steps and documents for the negotiation process, harmonization of legislation, as well as the role of the parliament and changes in the constitution during EU accession. In total, more than 50 participants attended the first lecture. Currently, the Verkhovna Rada considers EU accession to be one of its priorities. Therefore, USAID RADA: Next Generation is helping the Ukrainian parliament ensure the necessary expertise and institutional development to successfully implement European integration tasks, including the qualitative approximation of national legislation to the EU legal framework and effective negotiations on EU accession from the VRU side.