The organization’s experts have developed and implemented innovative digital metod DIY4Change and based on it 6 methodologies and an online platform aimed at effectively involving citizens in government decision-making at various levels: «Monitoring of the participatory process of adoption and objective assessment of the quality of public decisions», CivicLab (digital component of decision analysis and forecasting), UChange (an interactive online game-based training that teaches the basics of civil participation and interaction with local and central authorities), “Research and evaluation of best practices of online educational platforms for participants in electoral systems”, «Assessment of public demand for overcoming the consequences of military actions and rebuilding communities», «Monitoring of the Internet resources (of social networks and messengers) in order to collect information for further analysis of public opinion», online platform “Module of public consultations“ for the municipal enterprise “Center of Public Communication and Information” of the Kyiv City State Administration.
MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY
– expert and legal support: expert analysis, development of recommendations for changes to existing and drafting of new regulations in the direction of participatory digital democracy, development of civil society, protection of citizens’ rights to participate directly in the formation and implementation of state and local policies;
– innovation and methodology: development of concepts, technical requirements and tasks for the implementation of educational methods (including online educational academies, interactive courses), tools for civil participation, platforms (online, offline) for interaction of public entities (between authorities, communities and businesses);
– conducting practical trainings for the development of сapacity building in the area of civic participation, and voluntarism for public officials, CSOs, volunteer initiatives and citizens on the basics of civil participation for CSOs and active citizens (including practical use of mechanisms, assessment of training needs, development of the training programs and manuals: strategic planning, advocacy (including budget), tools and mechanisms of civic participation provided by national legislation and local regulatory framework, transparency, accountability and openness of the work of state authorities, electronic democracy and involvement, the influence of martial law on decision-making – production and public participation, cycle of policy development, monitoring and evaluation of decision-making and public participation, planning and implementation of the participation process, communication, analysis of public policies and budget programs, comprehensive training programs, in particular online), in the area of volunteering and volunteering activities (for volunteers, formal/informal volunteer-based initiatives), as well as for local government representatives on capacity building, effective interaction for the formation of a conscious and responsible citizens, including schoolchildren (curriculum, programs and calendar plan for sustainable development of their community;
– provision of technical expert support in the design and implementation of participatory processes: organizational, expert and methodological support of participatory decision-making processes and policies, development and promotion of advocacy and communication joint campaigns with the government and local governments, executive authorities and the public to develop and implement changes to existing legislation, strategies and programs in accordance with the Council of Europe standards and principles, good democratic governance and civil participation in democratic decision-making process in Ukraine, including: development of a participatory process plan, report and draft policy and a decision considering the outcomes and results of a participatory process and guidelines, methodological recommendations; facilitating and moderating, contributing to a work of a workgroup, steering a participatory process (bringing together various stakeholders).
Our experts have more than 20 years of experience managing initiatives, projects, legal and policy advice, legislative drafting, capacity building and training for public authorities and civil society representatives in the area of civil participation, facilitation of policy dialogue on central, regional and municipal levels. We are conducting research, preparing analytical reports and recommendations on the need for improvement: strategies (different levels and sectors), the regulatory framework and tools of civil participation mechanisms of interaction between the actors of the public sphere, preparation of toolkits, guidelines and casebooks of best practices and examples of advocacy cases that meet the needs of independent non-governmental organizations and municipalities. We have successfully implemented the innovative methodologies CivicLab and UChange, School Participatory Budget, All-Ukrainian Participatory Budget (as innovative tools of civil participation) regulations and state policies through the organization and conduct of Academy of Civil Participation. In 2018-2023, using all the expertise of our team of experts, we held more than 210 trainings. We successfully carried out consulting, information and communication events, which involved more than 49000 residents who were selected by our team to assess the needs of the target groups to be engaged in early decision-making. More than 995 participants have successfully completed training and confirmed their knowledge in practice. More than 235 have strengthened their expert capacity, in particular 29 – have become certified CivicLab & UChange specialists. Our team was awarded the National Record of Ukraine for two consecutive years for project implementation: 2018 for the most successful information and communication campaign with the largest number of events, held in 23 days, and in 2019 for the most successful projects implemented through the interaction between authorities, communities and businesses.
We envision Ukrainian innovative participatory and deliberative methodologies, successful practices of civil (including digital) and youth participation (such as School Participatory Budget), and the experience from implemented projects being extended to as many Ukrainian communities as possible and shared with other countries, helping to form self-governed communities where voices are heard and needs are considered in the decisions of public authorities. Our work in this area is guided by the following key principles: respect for human rights, the rule of law, democracy, gender balance, the Council of Europe standards, 12 principles for good democratic governance. We hope that our work experience and active life position will be an effective tool for providing consultancy services in the field of civil participation in democratic decision making in the member countries of the Council of Europe. With the acquired skills and our own successful cases, we believe we will be able to continue promoting the active role of civil society in decision making both in Ukraine and abroad.