We would like to offer you a selection of key legislative changes related to the activities of civil society organizations. In the first half of the December issue, the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research has collected the main topics worth knowing about:
- Opportunity to participate in a competition for projects promoting Ukrainian national and civic identity.
- New competitions from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
- Campaign to report on lobbying activities begins.
- A national program to adapt Ukrainian legislation to EU law has been approved.
Read more about these changes and find out how they will affect the work of CSOs
New opportunities and news related to CSOs
The Ministry of Youth and Sports announces a competition for projects promoting Ukrainian national and civic identity.
CSOs that wish to implement significant, meaningful, and contemporary initiatives addressing today's challenges and engaging citizens in state-building processes are invited to participate.
The competition covers the following project areas:
- Formation of Ukrainian civic identity among the population based on social and state (national) values
- Formation of defense awareness and civic resilience
- Popularization of Ukrainian history
- Development of critical thinking and media literacy
- Formation of Ukrainian national and civic identity among Ukrainian citizens abroad and in temporarily occupied territories
- Popularization and preservation of Ukraine's cultural heritage
Applications for the competition will be accepted until 23:00 on February 8, 2026.
Applications can be submitted at: https://grants.vzaemo.diia.gov.ua/contests/632913e0-eafc-11f0-83ef-b5baf251d231
The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation has announced new competitions in which CSOs can participate
The UCF has opened applications for the following programs:
- Culture during War (application deadline: February 1, 2026)
- Contemporary Music Space (application deadline: February 15, 2026)
- Flagship Events (application deadline: February 22, 2026)
- Societal Resilience through Culture (application deadline: January 19, 2026)
- Cultural Heritage (application deadline: February 15, 2026)
- Art in the Frame (application deadline: February 15, 2026)
- Culture.Regions (application deadline: March 1, 2026)
Legal entities of all forms of ownership or individual entrepreneurs, each registered in Ukraine (with the exception of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine) and possessing relevant experience in the field of culture, may apply for the competitions.
For more information about the project areas and competition conditions, please visit: https://ucf.in.ua/
On January 1, 2026, the first reporting campaign on lobbying activities will begin
On September 1, the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” came into force. It is worth noting that this law officially establishes rules governing the interaction between business and government. However, along with positive innovations, there are also challenges, such as vague criteria for defining concepts like ‘lobbying’ and ‘commercial interest.’ As a result, even public or charitable organizations that promote socially important initiatives may be formally classified as lobbying entities. This creates the risk of additional restrictions and financial sanctions and could potentially hinder their advocacy activities.
According to the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying,” each lobbyist must submit a lobbying report to the Transparency Register (the Register) twice a year (for each half-year):
for the first half-year – by July 31;
for the second half-year, by January 31 of the following year.
Failure to submit or late submission of a lobbying report to the Register is subject to administrative liability.
The NACP invites you to participate in a webinar on reporting lobbying activities. This is an opportunity for lobbyists, as well as individuals who plan to acquire such status and other interested parties, to obtain up-to-date information on the reporting procedure.
The webinar will cover the practical aspects of completing the report, including the basic rules for its submission, as well as other issues that may arise in connection with the application of the legislation's provisions on reporting lobbying activities.
Date and time: January 15, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Registration at: https://forms.gle/m3LpLiThbUuJh95x8 until 2:00 p.m. on January 14, 2026.
The National Program for the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law has been approved
The National Program is a strategic document that defines the state's systematic approach to fulfilling all obligations within the framework of the EU accession negotiation process and harmonizing national legislation with EU law.
Other important parts of the National Program include roadmaps on the rule of law, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as an action plan to protect the rights of persons belonging to national minorities (communities) in Ukraine.
The adaptation program was approved at a meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Ensuring the Negotiation Process for Ukraine's Accession to the EU and the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law.
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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