Verkhovna Rada to vote on 2025 state budget in October and November
The Head of the Committee on Budget of the Verkhovna Rada, Roksolana Pidlasa, said voting for the state budget in first reading will be held in late October and final voting in late November. “We adhere to the legal deadlines, as the state budget must be adopted by December 1,” Pidlasa said. She added that the deadline for submitting amendments expired on October 1, and the total number of amendments is still being determined. It is expected there will be about one and a half to two thousand amendments to consider. The government approved the draft state budget for 2025 with revenues of UAH 2 trillion and expenditures of UAH 3.6 trillion. Pidlasa emphasized that there will be no budget sequestration and that expenditures on pensions and salaries for the military and teachers will be covered.
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps VRU and Research Service improve legislative capacities through an English language initiative and Legal Drafting School
On October 4, the Kyiv Mohyla Academy, with USAID RADA: Next Generation support, held an official graduation ceremony for 155 Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine employees to receive certificates for completing English language courses, and for 22 young students to receive certificates for completing the Legal Drafting School. Also joining the graduates for the ceremony were around 50 participants, including Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Head of the VRU Secretariat, Vyacheslav Shtuchnyi, and Deputy Mission Director of USAID Ukraine, Milan Pavlovic. The Legal Drafting School aimed to provide young people with the skills needed to draft legal acts and apply regulatory principles. Participants learned from esteemed legal practitioners, engaged in real-life case studies, and gained insight into rulemaking aligned with Ukrainian and European standards. USAID RADA: Next Generation conducted English language courses for VRU and RSVRU staffers in March. Participants focused on legal issues, where students developed skills in legal writing in English, legal translation, comprehension, and analysis of EU regulatory acts, and cultivated practical skills in drafting various documents. Proficiency in English will enable VRU staffers to enhance their international knowledge and adopt best legislative practices for the benefit of Ukraine.
USAID RADA: Next Generation launches new iteration of All-Ukrainian simulation game “We are Lawmakers!”
On October 4, as part of the Program initiative, the Parliamentary Educational Center and the NGO “Agency for Educational Policy Development” announced the launch of the nationwide simulation game on civic Parliamentary education, “M18: We Are Lawmakers!” for the 2024-2025 academic year. Through this interactive and engaging program, students learn how to draft bills, which they then present to Ukrainian MPs during the Forum of Children's Democracy. Also, teachers will undergo certified training in interactive teaching methods and Parliamentary education, receiving full methodological support and professional development certificates. The game aims to give students a deeper understanding of the legislative process, the importance of civic engagement, and the role of Parliament in promoting democratic development while fostering stronger connections between Parliament and youth.
USAID RADA: Next Generation strengthens VRU’s diplomatic and communication capacities in the context of European integration
On September 30, USAID RADA: Next Generation, in cooperation with International IDEA, conducted an event on “Enhancing VRU's Parliamentary Diplomacy and Communication: Strengthening Outreach and Building Effective Strategies for EU Integration and Post-War Recovery.” The event aimed to explore ways to enhance the communication strategies of the VRU and its factions, drawing on best practices from the European Parliament and its political groups. It provided an analysis of the composition of the European Parliament for its 10th Parliamentary term and offered tailored recommendations for the VRU on how to communicate effectively about EU integration and post-war recovery. Moreover, the event focused on strengthening the VRU's European Parliament diplomacy efforts by sharing strategies for establishing and maintaining robust communication channels, engaging in effective public diplomacy, and fostering partnerships with key European political actors. This will help the VRU advocate more effectively for Ukraine’s interests and build strategic alliances within the EU, while enhancing its visibility and influence within the European political landscape to ensure Ukraine's European integration needs are met..
USAID RADA: Next Generation facilitates VRU Committee on Energy’s preparations for the 2024-2025 heating season
From September 30 to October 1, the Committee on Energy, Housing, and Utilities Services of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, with the support of the Program, conducted an external meeting in Lviv. During the meetings, MPs and Committee members visited the reconstructed boiler house of Lvivteploenergo, CHP-1, and Lvivvodokanal. The heads of these enterprises, Oleksandr Odynets and Dmytro Vankovych, briefed the MPs on the state of preparation for the heating season of 2024-2025. During the trip, the Committee members met with Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, who spoke about the city's challenges in preparing for the fall and winter and the need to support repairs for critical infrastructure enterprises damaged by Russian attacks. On September 30, the Committee on Energy, Housing, and Utilities held a meeting at Lviv City Council to consider draft law No. 11301d (second reading) and the state of preparation of housing and communal services enterprises for work in the autumn-winter period of 2024-2025. Participants assessed conditions for a possible lack of electricity supply and prospects for implementing decentralized distributed generation projects by district heating companies.
USAID RADA: Next Generation promotes discussion on developing and improving sports for veterans
On October 2, the VRU Committee on Youth and Sports, with USAID RADA: Next Generation support, held hearings on “Ways to Improve the Development of Sports for War Veterans.” The event was attended by more than 180 participants, including war veterans, representatives of central and local executive authorities, local governments, sports and fitness associations, and veterans' organizations. During the discussion, numerous proposals were made, which will be included in the Committee's Recommendations to central and local executive authorities, local governments, and relevant public associations. The Committee on Youth and Sports will finalize the draft Recommendations, incorporating feedback and suggestions from the hearings, and approve them at its next meeting.
USAID RADA: Next Generation helps RSVRU exchange best practices and explore role of Parliaments in EU integration
USAID RADA: Next Generation supported a study visit for the Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (RSVRU) to Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia from September 22 to October 5. The visit aimed to exchange best practices and explore the role of Parliaments in European integration processes. In Hungary, on September 24 and 25, RSVRU delegates met with the Hungarian Parliament's Research Service and other institutions to discuss training programs for Ukrainian MPs on aligning national legislation with EU law. In Slovenia, on September 26 and 27, the delegation engaged with Parliamentarians and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to focus on collaboration through the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD). Finally, in Italy, from September 30 to October 2, meetings were held with representatives of the Italian Parliament, addressing topics such as Parliamentary research, inter-institutional cooperation, and the use of AI in legislative processes. These engagements facilitated knowledge sharing and emphasized the importance of Parliamentary research institutions in supporting legislative functions.