Experts from the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (UCIPR) have analyzed the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approving the Action Plan for the Implementation of the "Open Government Partnership" Initiative for 2026–2027.
The document defines 40 measures aimed at developing open governance, increasing the transparency of government activities, expanding citizen participation in policymaking, and implementing modern digital tools.
According to UCIPR experts, one of the key features of the new Plan is the institutionalization of the multi-stakeholder partnership principle. The implementation of most measures envisages cooperation between public authorities and civil society organizations (CSOs), international partners, businesses, and local self-government bodies.
Measures related to the development of public participation mechanisms are of particular importance for the civic sector. Specifically, the Plan envisions involving civil society organizations in planning and monitoring public investments and community reconstruction through the state digital system DREAM. It also plans the development of a public participation methodology, creation of feedback mechanisms, and tools for public control over the implementation of investment projects.
A separate block of measures is dedicated to the processes of Ukraine's reconstruction. The document provides for the creation of a multi-stakeholder platform within which representatives of the state, business, international partners, and civil society will jointly develop recommendations on integrity, human rights, environmental standards, and anti-corruption approaches during the implementation of recovery projects. In addition, public organizations will participate in the public monitoring of such projects and the preparation of independent reports.
The Plan also envisages active involvement of the civic sector in improving the transparency of extractive industries in line with the international EITI standard, developing open science, creating digital open data services, and enhancing integrity within higher education and the National Police. In all these areas, civil society organizations are designated as partners of the state during the development, public discussion, piloting, and evaluation stages.
At the same time, UCIPR experts highlight several risks. The document defines the participation of public organizations in most measures as partner-based but not mandatory, and it does not establish transparent criteria for selecting them for working groups or advisory bodies. Furthermore, the Plan does not provide for separate financial mechanism support for the participation of civil society organizations in its implementation, which could limit the practical engagement of the civic sector.
According to UCIPR experts, the approved Action Plan is an important step toward the development of open governance in Ukraine. Its successful implementation will largely depend on the openness of government authorities to cooperation and the creation of appropriate conditions for the full participation of civil society organizations.
Detailed analysis is available at the link.
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Institutional support for UCIPR activities is provided by East Europe Foundation within the framework of the "Phoenix: The Power of Communities" project, with the support of the European Union. The content of the created materials is the sole responsibility of UCIPR and does not necessarily reflect the position of East Europe Foundation and the EU.
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