For the team of the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR), 2025 was a period of challenges, systemic work, and significant results.
Working under the conditions of a prolonged full-scale war, we focused not only on responding to challenges but also on building resilient democratic institutions. Our work centered on local democracy tools, the development of civil society, the legal environment for CSOs, European integration processes, and supporting communities in difficult conditions.
Throughout 2025, we combined analytical and advocacy activities, expert support, and practical assistance to organizations and communities: from preparing strategic recommendations and research to providing daily support through our legal aid hotline.
Our team's results confirm that even in times of uncertainty, systemic and professional work can create real change. So, what have we achieved?
Legislative Activity
One of UCIPR’s key priorities is advocating for favorable legislation and state policies that support the development of civil society. In 2025, our team, together with partners, successfully advocated for two laws and four government decisions that improved the operating environment for CSOs.
One of the key events of the year was the President of Ukraine signing Law No. 3703-IX "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Public Participation at the Local Government Level." UCIPR experts worked on this document for over four years: from conceptualization to advocating for its adoption. You can find more details about the document in Maksym Lukiniuk's column for Ukrainska Pravda.
Significant changes also took place in the field of humanitarian aid. With the participation of UCIPR experts, Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 550 was adopted to simplify the registration of vehicles imported as humanitarian aid. Additionally, as a result of advocacy by UCIPR and its partners, amendments were made to the Law of Ukraine "On Humanitarian Aid," allowing verified CSOs to receive and use humanitarian aid vehicles free of charge for humanitarian response and assistance to those affected by the war.
Furthermore, with our support, amendments were made to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 112, expanding the list of charitable goods and services that can be provided to war-affected individuals without being subject to Personal Income Tax (PIT) and military tax.
Due to the active advocacy of the UCIPR team, Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 460 was adopted regarding an experimental mechanism for the online registration of non-governmental organizations based on a model charter via the "Diia" portal. This will allow citizens to register an NGO in just a few minutes. Read more about this decision in Dmytro Yaprakh's column for Detector Media.
The UCIPR team, in cooperation with partners, drafted and advocated for the approval of Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 246, the Action Plan for 2025–2026 for the implementation of the National Strategy to Promote Civil Society Development. This includes 91 measures aimed at creating a favorable environment for the activities of CSOs, volunteers, and philanthropists, to be implemented by ministries, regional administrations, and local governments.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, a Model Charter for Territorial Communities was prepared. This charter will help every community implement procedures for transparency in local government activities, reporting by mayors and local council members, and procedures for involving residents in consultations and the development of local decisions.
The UCIPR team also contributed to the development of the Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions and the Roadmap for the Rule of Law, which were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 475. We successfully proposed and defended 38 measures aimed at creating a favorable environment for CSO activities in Ukraine.
All these decisions are the result of extensive expert work, dialogue with government authorities, and advocacy for civil society interests.
Research and Monitoring
Within the framework of the "National Platform for Resilience and Cohesion" project, its experts conducted three comprehensive studies and two regional monitorings:
- Results of the sociological study in an omnibus format: "Key Components of Ukrainian Social Resilience during a Prolonged War (dynamics of indicators for 2024 and 2025)";
- "Compensation for Housing Destroyed or Damaged as a Result of the Russian-Ukrainian War (national and international dimensions)";
- "Information Transparency as a Factor of Cohesion: Research Results of 73 Communities in the Lviv Region";
- Regional monitoring reports "Resilience and Cohesion of Ukrainian Society during the War" (Issue 13 and Issue 14).
Additionally, the presentation of the 2024 Civil Society Organization (CSO) Sustainability Index for Ukraine took place, as well as the UCIPR study, conducted together with the analytical initiative War:Observe, titled "Ukraine in the New Reality of Negotiations: Assessing Existing Formats of Peace Negotiations."
Civil Society Support
For 10 years, UCIPR has been supporting the "Hotline for CSO Registration." During this year, our experts provided over 120 free legal consultations to civic activists. Most frequently, CSO representatives reached out regarding:
- Registration of public and charitable organizations;
- Amending charters and founding documents;
- Taxation of NGO activities.
Informing Civil Society
Throughout 2025, UCIPR experts monitored and analyzed legislative changes affecting the activities of civil society organizations. In total, as part of our work, specifically within the project "Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver of Reforms and Democracy," 9 legislative digests were prepared and distributed.
Furthermore, within the project "Strengthening the Capacity of UCIPR to Continue Research and Analysis of the CSO Environment," experts prepared 4 in-depth legislative analyses aimed at shaping civil society positions and informing partners about potential risks and opportunities for the sector. Our team also prepared four additional legislative digests, outside of project activities, focusing on a deeper study of specific legislative initiatives and decisions important for the development of civil society.
These materials were distributed among civil society organizations, international partners, donors, and other interested stakeholders. They became a practical tool for understanding current legislative changes, assessing their impact on CSO activities, and making informed management decisions.
Public events
The UCIPR team organized over 25 events in Kyiv, Lviv, and other cities across Ukraine. During these events, participants discussed the development of public participation tools and attended presentations of the Methodological Recommendations for Developing a Territorial Community Charter, the 2024 CSO Sustainability Index and its interactive dashboard, and the Concept for Improving the Automated Humanitarian Aid Registration System (AHAS). Discussions also covered resilience challenges and sources of cohesion at various levels.
Additionally, a series of seminars for civil society organizations at "Vcentri Hub: Shevchenkivskyi" is worth noting. During these events, representatives of CSOs from the Kyiv region gained insight into key legislative changes in the fields of humanitarian aid and social services.
Participation in National Initiatives and Cooperation with Authorities and International Partners
We fruitfully collaborated with the Office of the President, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Justice, the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Department of Public Communications of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA), regional military administrations, the Department of Digital Development of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, as well as international representations in Ukraine.
Our activities were recognized by the Department of Public Communications of the KCSA, and UCIPR was included in the list of winners of the "TOP-100" award. This distinction confirms that our team's analytical, advocacy, and educational work has a real impact on developing the partnership between the government and the community, strengthening democracy, and supporting civil society institutions.
Read also: UCIPR received the "Partners of the Year 2025" award for cooperation with Vcentri HUB