ISAR Ednannia is a key stakeholder in the development of civil society and the advancement of democracy in Ukraine. One of our strategic goals is to foster leadership and create a strong democratic foundation for the country’s resilience and recovery. In times of full-scale war, civil society has evolved into a response mechanism for crises, a driver of reforms, and a cornerstone of transparency and accountability.
Our Approaches to Democracy Building
Strategic Planning
We support civil society in developing scenarios for Ukrainian democratic development. For example, our democratic boot camps and foresight events help CSO leaders analyze the current situation in the country and explore scenarios for democratic progress during and after the war. One of the key results of these efforts is the development of the Doctrine of Ukrainian Democracy, which emphasizes that democracy in Ukraine requires coherent, context-sensitive rules, rather than simply copying foreign models.
Enabling Legal Environment
We support legislative reforms for CSOs and take part in the CSO Meter Project, which assesses the conditions for their operation. The CSO Meter serves as a source of information and analysis of laws and practices, allowing Ukrainian civil society and the EU to identify priorities for necessary legal and democratic reforms. ISAR Ednannia is also actively involved in drafting the Council of Europe’s recommendations on the legal status of non-governmental organizations in Europe.
Transparency and Informed Decision-Making
Openness and access to information are key democratic values for civil society. We promote these through our Analytical Library, where we gather and disseminate research on reforms, freedom of speech, and the media. This provides CSOs with the data needed to make informed decisions.
Dialogue with Authorities
ISAR Ednannia works to increase government openness and accountability. We aim to create ongoing opportunities for dialogue between authorities and civil society, advocating for CSO interests at all levels and facilitating their cooperation with public institutions in the development and implementation of policies.
Our work resulted in CSO contribution to the development of the Strategy of Strengthening Ukrainian National and Civic Identity for the Period Until 2030, the National Strategy for Promoting Civil Society Development for 2021-2026, and the new State Targeted Social Program Youth of Ukraine: Generation of Resilience-2030.
How Do We Put Our Strategic Goal into Practice?
The Norwegian-Swedish Askold and Dir Fund
To advance our goal of building and strengthening democracy, ISAR Ednannia is implementing the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver Towards Reforms and Democracy Project, funded by Norway and Sweden. The Norwegian-Swedish Askold and Dir Fund operates under this Project.
The Fund represents a strategic investment by our Scandinavian partners in building a strong and resilient civil society in Ukraine. It supports CSOs in contributing to sustainable recovery and democratic reforms through:
- Grants for institutional capacity building of CSOs.
- Grants for projects focused on recovery, advocacy, research, and media campaigns.
- Training through workshops, webinars, and special educational programs.
- Support and networking opportunities.
Askold and Dir Fund supports:
- Expert sessions on project management, fundraising, advocacy, and leadership that help CSOs operate more effectively.
- The Civil Society Development Forum – the key annual event for the civil society sector in Ukraine, conducted by ISAR Ednannia for the last 13 years and financially supported by the Fund since 2025.
- Educational boot camps on democratic governance – intensive programs for civil society leaders who aim to drive democratic change in Ukraine.
Learn more about the Norwegian-Swedish Askold and Dir Fund.
EU Unity4Community
EU Unity4Community Project, supported by the European Union, empowers civil society to become a driving force behind the democratic changes Ukraine needs today on its path to EU integration. The Project creates a setting where decisions are built through cooperation, not imposed from above. CSOs become catalysts for these changes: bring people together, shape the agenda, amplify community voices, and work with local authorities to foster a new culture of civic participation − open, equal, and responsible, as standards of the European democracy demand.
Opportunities offered by the Project:
- Training: Participation in the comprehensive Recovery and Development Consultants program for 300 leaders from the civil sector and local authorities. This program will equip them with practical knowledge for effective community development.
- Grants: Support for research, reforms, monitoring initiatives, the creation of Unity Points within communities, and projects that implement European standards at the local level.
- Analytics: In-depth research and strategic solutions to help communities act effectively and achieve impactful results.
CSO Meter
The CSO Meter is an important tool that promotes democracy in Ukraine. It provides systematic monitoring of the civil society operating environment across 11 areas, including freedom of peaceful assembly, the right to participate in decision-making, and cooperation with the state.
The project is implemented by the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL) in six Eastern Partnership countries, with ISAR Ednannia as the implementing partner in Ukraine.
The CSO Meter analyzes laws and practices, identifying gaps and shortcomings that help civil society and the EU set priorities for legal reforms and justify them. The tool is based on international standards and contributes to aligning Ukraine with European democratic norms regarding the civil society sector.
Information on the CSO Meter 2024.
ISAR Ednannia invites CSOs, leaders, and partners to join our mission. Together, we can strengthen civil society, ensure transparency and accountability, and build a democratic future for Ukraine.
If you would like to support us or learn more, please get in touch with Natalie Klymova, the Deputy Executive Director of ISAR Ednannia and Askold and Dir Fund Coordinator, at klymova@ednannia.ua.
