We invite you to familiarize yourself with key legislation changes related to civil society organizations' activities. In the August issue for the first half of the month, the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research has collected the main topics worth knowing about:
- The algorithm for generating a digital code for the model charter of a CSO has been approved.
- An alternative draft law on compulsory insurance for volunteers has been registered.
- A draft law on public-private partnership in the field of curbing destructive activities in cyberspace has been registered.
- The Procedure for Monitoring Compliance with Legislation on Lobbying was discussed.
Read more about these changes and find out how they will affect the work of CSOs.
Adopted legal acts
The Ministry of Justice has approved the algorithm for generating the digital code of the model charter of a public organization
What the document is about: In accordance with paragraph 8 of Resolution No. 460 of April 18, 2025, the Ministry of Justice has defined the mechanism for assigning a digital code to civil society organizations that will be registered on the basis of the model charter. The order will take effect on November 1, 2025.
Why it is important: The approval of the algorithm for generating digital codes is a necessary prerequisite for the full launch of the online registration service for public organizations on the Diya web portal. We would like to remind you that the UCIPR team was involved in the preparation and advocacy of the resolution “On the implementation of a pilot project to ensure the possibility of civil society organization activities based on a model statute” — from consultations with the authorities to communication with the public. Our experts worked on creating the mechanism at all stages.
Registered legal acts
An alternative draft law on state insurance for volunteers has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada
What the draft law is about: It is proposed to provide mandatory state insurance for the life, health, and working capacity of volunteers against accidents while they are directly providing volunteer assistance in areas where measures are being taken to ensure the defense of Ukraine, protect the security of the population, and the interests of the state in connection with military aggression against Ukraine, combat operations, armed conflicts, states of emergency, as well as during the direct provision of volunteer assistance in the elimination of destruction, clearing of debris, restoration and reconstruction of residential and social infrastructure facilities, etc., which were destroyed or damaged as a result of military aggression. Insurance will be provided at the expense of the state budget, as well as through international aid, reparations collected from the Russian Federation, or other sources not prohibited by law. The procedure and conditions for such insurance shall be determined by the relevant central executive authority in agreement with the National Bank. In addition, the central executive body implementing state policy in the field of volunteer activities will maintain a register of insured volunteers.
Why it is important: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the role of volunteers has grown significantly, but at the same time, their working conditions have become more risky. Participation in rescue operations, elimination of the consequences of hostilities, and provision of humanitarian aid in frontline areas exposes them to danger and requires adequate support and response from the state. The introduction of compulsory life, health, and disability insurance for volunteers while they are performing their duties is an important and long-awaited step. Earlier, a draft law on state insurance for volunteers was registered in Parliament.
A draft law on involving the private sector and civil society in measures to curb destructive activities in cyberspace has been registered
What the document is about: The draft establishes the legal and organizational basis for involving representatives of the private sector and civil society in cooperation with government authorities to:
- detect, prevent, and neutralize cyber threats;
- strengthen national cyber resilience;
- increasing transparency, trust, and accountability in the field of cybersecurity;
- forming a culture of digital security.
The document defines the legal status and requirements for incident response specialists, the procedure for their self-governing activities, the objects and grounds for their involvement, the creation of a database of such specialists, as well as the powers of state bodies to regulate these issues. The procedure for involving, financing, and organizing measures to curb destructive activities in cyberspace is regulated separately.
It is also proposed to create a League for the Containment of Destructive Activities in Cyberspace in Ukraine — a self-governing professional organization that brings together cybersecurity incident response specialists and exercises professional self-government for the purpose of organizing, coordinating, and participating in measures to contain destructive activities in cyberspace.
Why it is important: This draft law is an attempt to regulate public-private (including public sector) partnerships in the field of measures to curb destructive activities in cyberspace. At the same time, the method of such regulation carries potential risks, which UCIPR experts have written about previously. These risks include monopoly, weak control, conflict of interest, and lack of transparency in the use of public funds. UCIPR experts believe that the document requires further consultation and recommend that civil society representatives pay special attention to this draft law and monitor its further progress.
Other changes related to the movement of regulatory legal acts
The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption held electronic consultations on the draft order of the NACP on approval of the Procedure for monitoring compliance with the requirements of the legislation on lobbying
What the document is about: The NACP, with the involvement of the public, is developing a draft order to regulate the process of monitoring compliance with lobbying legislation. Experts of the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research also took part in an event organized by the Ukrainian Lobbyists Association, with the participation of NACP representatives, and provided their recommendations to the draft order. The order will contain:
- general provisions for monitoring in the field of lobbying;
- procedure for reviewing reports of violations of lobbying legislation;
- mechanism for monitoring by the National Agency;
- procedure for completing monitoring.
Why it is important: The NACP will process the received proposals and publish the results on its official website by August 28, 2025. Such monitoring, in particular, verification of the accuracy of the information submitted by lobbying entities to the Transparency Register, as well as the accuracy of the information provided by lobbying entities in their reports, is a requirement of the Lobbying Law. Involvement of the public in the discussion and drafting of the order allows civil society to take into account the interests of the public in the process of drafting lobbying legislation.
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 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 the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.
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