We invite you to review a selection of key legislative changes affecting the activities of civil society organizations. In this edition for the second half of March, the Ukrainian Independent Center for Political Research has compiled the main topics you should know about:
- The amounts of financial support for public associations focused on physical culture and sports for 2026–2030 have been established.
- Youth and children’s civil society organizations located in areas of potential hostilities are now eligible to apply for state-funded competitions.
- Developments in the legal regulation of social entrepreneurship
Read more about these changes and learn how they will impact the work of CSOs
Adopted Regulatory Acts
Amounts of financial support for public associations focused on physical culture and sports have been established
What it’s about: The Cabinet of Ministers has introduced amendments to paragraph 5 of the Procedure for the Use of Funds Allocated in the State Budget for Financial Support of Public Associations Focused on Physical Culture and Sports. According to the document, the amount of financial support for conducting nationwide physical culture and health events among various population groups is determined within the limits of the amount allocated for the implementation of Task 2 of Measure 2, as specified in Annex 2 to the State Targeted Social Program for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports for the period up to 2030.
The funding amounts for the organization and conduct of physical culture and health-promoting events for various population groups, in particular by public health centers and public associations focused on physical culture and sports, including on a competitive basis, are set at 5 million hryvnias annually from 2026 through 2030 inclusive.
Why is this important: The government has set the annual financial support for physical education- and sports-oriented public organizations at 5 million hryvnias through the conduct of relevant competitions.
Amendments have been made to the Procedure for Providing State Support to Youth and Children’s Public Associations and Other Youth Work Entities through Budget Grants as Project Support Funded by the State Budget
What this is about: The government has made amendments to the Procedure for Providing State Support to Youth and Children’s Public Associations and Other Youth Work Entities through Budget Grants as Project Support Funded by the State Budget, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1252 dated October 1, 2025
Consequently, entities that are ineligible to apply for the state competition no longer include youth and children’s public associations, as well as other entities involved in youth policy, which, as of the date of application submission, are actually located and conducting economic activities in territories where hostilities may occur.
Why this matters: This clarification allows youth and children’s public associations, and other youth work entities that are actually located in areas of potential hostilities to participate in competitions organized by the Ukrainian Youth Fund, which provides support in the form of budget grants as project funding to implement tasks under state-targeted programs in the field of youth policy for the implementation of youth projects using state budget funds.
It should be noted that this exception does not apply to legal entities actually located in territories included in the list of territories where hostilities are (were) taking place or that are temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, as approved by the Ministry of Development, for which no date has been set for the end of hostilities (cessation of the possibility of hostilities) or temporary occupation—for them, the restrictions remain in effect.
Other legislative news for CSOs
Specialized committee supports draft law on social entrepreneurship
What it’s about: The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development recommended adopting draft law No. 14156 on the development of social entrepreneurship as a basis. As a reminder, the bill introduces the concept of social entrepreneurship entities—small and medium-sized businesses whose activities aim to achieve socially beneficial results, address social problems, and meet the needs of specific population groups, while simultaneously generating profit. It is envisaged that they will be eligible for all types of state support available to SMEs (financial, informational, and advisory), as well as integration into state programs for employment, social integration, and community development. The definition of “philanthropist” is also being expanded—it may now include an individual entrepreneur.
Why this matters: The development of social entrepreneurship enables private-sector resources to be directed toward solving social problems. Therefore, legislative action in this direction signals the state’s interest in developing and stimulating various forms of entrepreneurship, including those in the public sector. The next step should be to put the draft law to a vote in the Verkhovna Rada. At the same time, it is worth noting that legal regulation of this sphere requires a comprehensive approach and additional consultations with experts and the public. The UICPD will continue to monitor changes and keep the sector informed.
The digest is produced by NGO “Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research” with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine - a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of UCIPR and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden, and ISAR Ednannia.
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Read also: Supporting CSOs and Community Development: UCIPR’s Key Results in Early 2026