RADA PROGRAM Responsible, Accountable, Democratic Assembly in Ukraine
2nd quarterly performance report Year 7 (January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020)
Submitted: April 30, 2020
Cooperative Agreement No. AID-121-A-14-00001
Prepared for USAID/Ukraine
C/O American Embassy
4 Igor Sikorsky St.,
Kyiv, Ukraine 04112
Prepared by
East Europe Foundation
83, 3rd floor, Saksahanskoho St., Kyiv 01033
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 2 I. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 3 II. CONTEXT UPDATE ...... 4 III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 IV. KEY NARRATIVE ACHIEVEMENT...... 5 V. PROGRESS AGAINST TARGETS ...... 5 OBJECTIVE 1: Increase civic representation and public engagement in the Parliament’s work ...... 5 Expected Result 1.1: The Model Districts Initiative institutionalized...... 5 According to the schedule agreed with international partners the visits of Ukrainian MPs and their aides abroad as well as their international partners visits to Ukraine were planned for March-June. Due to the COVID-19, all international visits had been postponed. All peer-to-peer visits TBC ASAP post quarantine situation will be clear. However, RADA Program discusses with Twinning program’s participants possibilities to organize serious of online events, in particular to discuss best practices and lessons learned in communication with voters and work in the constituency in quarantine circumstances. Expected Result 1.2: Parliamentary Education Center created and institutionalized...... 9 Expected Result 1.2: Parliamentary Education Center created and institutionalized...... 9 OBJECTIVE 2: Strengthen capacities of the Members of Parliament and the Secretariat staff ...... 10 Expected Result 2.1: The European Information and Research Center (EIRC) institutionalized...... 10 Expected Result 2.2: New member orientation training conducted and sustainability advanced...... 11 OBJECTIVE 3: Advance Coordinated Donor Support to Parliament ...... 12 Other Relevant Activities ...... 14 CROSS-CUTTING USAID COMPONENTS ...... 17 Gender N/A ...... 17 The USAID RADA Program presented the resources offered to MPs and their teams within the Model District project and other opportunities provided by the Program in collaboration with the VRU apparatus to enhance the effectiveness of the MP and his team and offered support in further communication and exchange of experience. and the best practices of majority MPs...... 17 VI. PERFORMANCE MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING ...... 17 VII. LESSONS LEARNED ...... 17 VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ...... 18 IX. PROGRESS ON LINKS TO OTHER ACTIVITIES ...... 18 X. PROGRESS ON LINKS TO HOST GOVERNMENT ...... 18 XI. PROGRESS ON INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ...... 18 XII. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ...... 18 XIII. SUB-AWARD DETAILS...... 18 XIV. ACTIVITY ADMINISTRATION ...... 18 XV. ATTACHMENTS ...... 23 USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 2
I. ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ALI Agency for Legislative Initiatives (RADA Program partner) APDU Association of People’s Deputies of Ukraine AUC Association of Ukrainian Cities CEC Central Election Commission CM / CMU Cabinet of Ministers / Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine CoE Council of Europe COP Chief of Party CSO Civil society organization DCOP Deputy Chief of Party EEF East Europe Foundation EIRC European Information and Research Center EP European Parliament EU European Union IL Interns’ League (RADA Program partner) IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union IT Information Technologies IUA Internews Ukraine (RADA Program partner) LSG Local self-government MP Member of Parliament MPs’ aides Assistants to Members of Parliament NDI National Democratic Institute NF Narodnyi Front, political party NGO(s) Nongovernmental organization(s) NMO New Members Orientation ODIHR/OSCE OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights OGP Open Government Partnership OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe PEC Parliamentary Education Center PIP Parliamentary Internship Program PPB Petro Poroshenko Bloc, political party PWD Persons with disabilities RPR Reanimation Package of Reforms SMD Single mandate district SME Small or medium enterprise SMS Short Message Service via mobile telephones ToT Training of trainers UN United Nations USAID United State Agency for International Development VR / VRU Verkhovna Rada / Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Parliament of Ukraine) VRC Committee of Verkhovna Rada VRS Secretariat of Verkhovna Rada WG Working group
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II. CONTEXT UPDATE COVID-19 has become challenge for the planned activities of the program. During the second part of March RADA program succeeded to revise planned activities and find best online solutions that helped to sustain almost all planned activities with exception of exchange visits to European countries to Parliamentary Education Centers and Research Services. Also, the Twinning Program between MPs that had been planned and cleared was postponed on after quarantine period.
COVID-19 opened several windows of opportunities to bring impact on activities conducted by RADA program several years ago. E-Parliament strategy that was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada under assistance of RADA Program in 2018. Electronic instruments that included E-Committees modules have been fully regulated and proper legislation adopted to allow Parliamentary Committees’ Sittings be conducted in the teleconference mode.
Great attention was paid to RADA program component: 1) parliamentary education center strategy had been finalized after a number of strategic sessions communicated to VR Secretariat and MPs corps; 2) civil society organizations working within the grants program succeeded to transfer their facilitation between MPs and voters and assistance to set up effective instruments to constituencies to the teleconference mode; 3) advocacy for the creation of the parliamentary research service was not just limited by the communication and education campaign, RADA program continued to meet information inquiries from MPs and Parliamentary committees to supplement their policy and legislative advice in the remote regime.
III. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The reporting period covers the second quarter of the Year Seven of the program, according to Modification No. 05 to Cooperative Agreement No. AID-121-A-14-00001. During the reporting period, the Program concentrated on: 1. Finalizing portfolio of NMO course. 2. Expanding model district component onto Ukrainian regions in order to strengthen representative function of newly elected MPs and their teams. 3. Development of models for VR research service and special department for MPs to work with voters. In the frame of the Model District institutionalization, the RADA Program continued its activities together with the VRU Secretariat to share best practices from the previous period among newly- elected MPs and their aides as well as to create a separate structural subdivision (so-called Consultative Center) that will assist and consult MPs in their work in the constituency. Advocating the creation of the Parliamentary Research Service within the VRU, the RADA Program provided the support to the Main Legal Department in drafting the Resolution on the Information analytical Department, To maintain and speed up the Parliamentary Research Service the Program has built the capacity of newly recruited interns at the Parliamentary Information and Research Center (IRC). The Project in partnership with the VR Secretariat launched the information campaign for MPs about the services of the Center. a The RADA Program in cooperation with VRU Secretariat continued its training and educational activity for newly-elected MPs and their aides as well as updated the existing training curriculums and developed the new ones to be transferred to the VRU. The RADA Program also held its traditional coordination meetings of the international technical assistance projects (so-called IPTAC – International Parliamentary Technical Assistance Coordination). Eight events took place during the reporting period.
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IV. KEY NARRATIVE ACHIEVEMENT N/A V. PROGRESS AGAINST TARGETS
OBJECTIVE 1: Increase civic representation and public engagement in the Parliament’s work Expected Result 1.1: The Model Districts Initiative institutionalized. In the second half of March all public activities, including study visits, trainings, regional events were postponed due to COVID-19. VRU Secretariat is in the process of functional audit. Internal audit of VR structure includes more opportunities, for implementation of system approach in institutionalization of RADA Program components, including Model district initiative and New Members Orientation (NMO), however, delays certain proceedings in activities and events. Despite the developments mentioned above, this reporting period RADA Program continues its cooperation with VR Secretariat to institutionalize the "Model District" component. Thus, VR Secretariat’s Department on Communication with Local Authorities and Local Self-Governance Bodies and RADA Program continue implementation of the action plan on institutional provision of the representative function’s implementation by MPs in the constituencies for 2019-2020, aimed at institutional development of structural subdivision that will assist and consult MPs in their work in the constituency (consultative center). Thus, RADA Program in cooperation with the Department developed first version of draft regulation on Information-consultative center to support MPs in their work in the constituencies to be presented for further improvement and modification.
▫ Innovative approach in building effective communication of MPs with voters is proved by great demand among MPs on masterclasses, thematic regional trips with complex programs combined with educational activities, trainings, discussions etc. This reporting period VR Secretariat and RADA Program received 9 requests from MPs to conduct “Parliamentary Days in the Regions”. The example of MPs requests to conduct regional events attached to this report (Attachment 1). On the request of MPs, RADA Program in cooperation with VRU Secretariat conducted a series of regional events in Khmelnytskyi (January 24-25), Severodonetsk, Novoaidar and Schastya (February 1-2), Vinnytsya (February 20-21) and Chernihiv (March 12-13), The regional Parliamentary Days program includes number of events aimed at building the capacity of MPs and their teams to work in the constituencies and communicate with different groups of voters, sharing best practices and lessons learned , increasing the citizens awareness about the structure and functions of VRU and MPs, discussing the problems of the regions, citizens involvement and promoting the formation of civic competences among pupils, raise awareness on the principles of democracy and parliamentarism. Thus, this reporting period regional programs include following formats of events: Training on “Activity of MPs and their teams” for MPs aides to familiarize them with the legal basis and forms of MPs work in the VRU and the constituency, the legal basis for MP aides activity and their main functions, legal basis of VR activity, its structure and forms of work, to determine the main forms of activity and the duties of the MPs in the constituency, the target groups with which the MP is interacting and ways of such interaction, etc.
▫ Opening of the InfoRada exposition ▫ Lessons for secondary school pupils provided by the VRU Education Center with participation of MPs to promote the formation of civic competences among pupils, raise awareness on the principles of democracy and parliamentarism, structure and functions of the VRU. ▫ Public discussions
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In total, 18 MPs participated in Parliamentary Days programs in the regions, 109 aides of 22 MPs participated in the regional trainings during reporting period. Regional events showed a great interest from MPs on the one hand and from the different kinds of voters on the other hand in building efficient communication and interaction. In addition, regional programs provide opportunity for VRU Secretariat and RADA Program to test different formats of events as well as identify gaps, needs and challenges in MPs communication with voters in the constituency to identify those in which VRU Secretariat can provide assistance in the frames of the future Consultative Center. Despite RADA program had no plans to include more formats of activities, COVID situation forced to add more formats that allow to mirror activities via teleconference regime, zoom and other online formats to be presented next reporting period.
On January 15, USAID RADA Program started implementation of a grant program “Democratic Representation of Constituencies”. In the results of competition RADA Program received USAID approval to support 8 NGOs from different regions to implement the projects aimed at building the capacity of cooperation of voters with the MPs and vice versa within the constituencies: Interactive map of the projects could be found by the following link https://h5p.org/h5p/embed/773185 Activities under the grant program includes:
▫ Establishment of a system of parliamentary civic education for citizens in constituencies. ▫ Developing and providing the public and MPs with tools to help legislators make quality decisions. ▫ Collaboration with MPs and teams to develop plans and indicators for the effective performance of the duties and powers of the MPs and to monitor the implementation of these plans. ▫ Systematization and exchange of best practices of work of MPs in the constituencies and interaction with voters.
RADA Program considers NGOs as the agents of changes in raising of public awareness on the role and functions of Parliament and MPs as well as in promoting instruments and ways for public involvement to the legislative process and interaction with MPs. During the reporting period the following activities were implemented within the sub- grant program:
Odesa Regional Organization of the Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" “Interaction of voters and MPs of Odessa region – the basis for democratic representation”
• Development of a model of communication between MPs and voters in the constituency • Signing a memorandum of cooperation with MPs to build communication with voters • Monitoring of interaction of MPs elected in single-mandate constituencies of Odesa region with voters. Preparation and dissemination of info materials on the activities of MPs • Preparation and distribution of booklets "You and MP" • Development of an educational game on the activities of MPs and Parliament for young people
Center of Political and Legal Reforms “Strengthening the role of the public experts in the process of amending the Constitution in Parliament”
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• Conducted 2 Constitutional brunches "How to talk to voters about the right of legislative initiative?" and "Procedure for amending the Constitution" • Prepared 5 analytical notes: (1) "The right of legislative initiative", (2) "Procedure for amending the Constitution", (3) "Forms of parliamentary activity during a state of emergency", (4) On the draft law of the President of Ukraine "On Amendments" to the Constitution of Ukraine (on decentralization of power -D, (5) "Formation of anti-corruption bodies: constitutional issues" ) № 2598 Association for Political Science (Kropyvnytskyi) “From quality communication to community involvement in decision making”
• Conducted a Forum "Successes and failures in communications" with the participation of MPs, MPs assistants, local self-governments, journalists, civic activists • Conducted 3 expert discussions: (1) on the draft law on the land market, (2) on amendments to the legislation on private entrepreneurs, (3) on amendments to the election legislation and its influence to the work of MPs in the constituencies) • Developed information poster “Who can help me to resolve an issue” regarding rights and responsibilities of different authorities, including parliament and MPs
NGO “Agency of Education Policy Development” “Creating a network of interactive parliamentary educational centers for elementary and secondary school students”
• Developed a manual "My Parliament: I Understand and Influence", which contains interactive methods of conducting parliamentary lessons and interactive quests with students. • Developed information posters with infographics (1) "How the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine works", (2) "My Parliament: I understand and influence!" • An exposition of 2 banners for the quest "The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is open to children" has been developed • Badges with the logo of the Parliament for children "I am a citizen of Ukraine" and "I am a citizen of Ukraine" were produced. • 5 schools were selected and 5 interactive parliamentary educational centers for pupils were established on their basis.
Volyn Law School “On Parliament in user friendly format”
• Conducted a training for students on "Basics of Parliamentarism" • Conducted workshop and discussion club with participation of MPs’ aides • Conducted two events in the format of "Live Library" for students with participation of MP Iryna Konstankevych. (1) “How to achieve a goal in politics: life hacks”, (2) “Youth policy”
Rivne Regional Organization of Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Civic Network “OPORA” “MP from A to Z”
• Conducted monitoring of the activities of nine MPs elected in the constituencies of Rivne, Zakarpattia and Kharkiv oblasts (three deputies from each oblast) and prepared 9 reports for the period of two sessions of the parliament. • Developed an interactive tool for obtaining information about the activities of the MPs - telegram-bot "Deputy in the palm of your hand", which collects information about
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MPs: (1) voting in the Parliament; (2) participation in the committee meetings; (3) Number of submitted draft laws; (4) Number of submitted amendments to the laws; (5) Number of submitted deputy requests; (6) MP’s Declarations; (7) Contact information of MP; (8) Forms the monthly report of attendance of MPs; (9) Forms a monthly report on the work of parliament.
Vinnytsya Euroclubs Association "Sustainable Interaction of Communities with Teams of MPs of Ukraine"
• Conducted 2 trainings on parliamentary education and citizens' access to the legislative process • Conducted 7 focus-group on the following topics: (1) “Communication of the community with MPs and their teams”, (2) “Ways of identifying and analyzing community problems”, (3) Involvement of public activists, public institutions, NGOs to the joint activity and formation of a wide pyramidal team of MP with mechanisms of mentoring" • Conducted a round table "Ways to identify and analyze community problems by teams of MPs in cooperation with voters" • Conducted a workshop "Ways to identify and analyze community problems by teams of MPs in cooperation with voters"
Lviv Regional Organization of Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Civic Network" OPORA “Regional agenda for MPs”
• Developed a methodology for monthly monitoring of the current activities of MPs elected in single-mandate constituencies of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions • Developed and published analytical materials on the activities of 19 MPs elected in single-mandate constituencies of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions
This reporting period Rada Program launched the Twinning of the Constituencies Program. The purpose of the Twinning program is to support individual initiatives of MPs and their teams aimed at professional growth and achievement of more effective results in the representative function implementation, work in the district and communication with voters by per-to-per exchanging and familiarizing with the best practices and lessons learned in such work of parliamentarians in one of the neighbor EU countries.
On the results of the Twinning program competition (announced in January) USAID RADA Program recommends to support 7 applications of MPs to implement Twinning program: Mykola Knyazhytskyi (Faction “European Solidarity”), Oleksandr Danutsa (Faction “Servant of the People”), Natalia Pipa (Faction “Holos”), Larysa Bilozir (Group “For the Future”), Maryana Bezuhla (Faction “Servant of the People”) and their two aides to Poland; Ihor Huz (Group “For the Future”) and his two aides to Lithuania and Halyna Vasylchenko (Faction “Holos”) and her two aides to Estonia.
RADA Program will support two events for each MP:
1. visit of Ukrainian MP and 2 of his/her aides to the constituency of international partner 2. visit of international partner and 2 of his/her aides to constituency in Ukraine
The Twinning program will help to establish communication between the teams of MPs with the further involvement of other target groups (local government, teachers, business, etc.) in such communications, participants will introduce better practices in their activities and initiate a constant dialogue with colleagues from other countries.
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The Program of each visit will include:
▫ acquaintance with the organization and work of MP in the district, ▫ organization of the team work, ▫ organization of work of acceptance office in the district, ▫ ways of communication with NGOs, local authorities, media and different categories of voters etc.
According to the schedule agreed with international partners the visits of Ukrainian MPs and their aides abroad as well as their international partners visits to Ukraine were planned for March-June. Due to the COVID-19, all international visits had been postponed. All peer-to-peer visits TBC ASAP post quarantine situation will be clear. However, RADA Program discusses with Twinning program’s participants possibilities to organize serious of online events, in particular to discuss best practices and lessons learned in communication with voters and work in the constituency in quarantine circumstances. Expected Result 1.2: Parliamentary Education Center created and institutionalized.
Expected Result 1.2: Parliamentary Education Center created and institutionalized. During the reporting period, the newly established Parliamentary Education Center became very popular among visitors and MPs. Starting from October 2019, the PEC conducted 3-6 lessons per day. 9000 schoolers from 18 regions of Ukraine visited the PEC since it was opened in July 2019. 80 MPs have acted as lecturers and moderators of educational interactive lessons at the PEC. This success has become possible due to the following activities of the RADA Program in collaboration with the VRU Secretariat:
1. On March 6, the Vice-Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Olena Kondratyuk carried out a lesson for schoolchildren at the Parliamentary Education Center. She explained functions and activities of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to pupils 2. On March 23-27, the first drafts of the strategic plan was developed and discussed with VRU management staffers on the online strategic session 3. Representatives of RADA Program and the Parliamentary Education Center participated in several strategy sessions on the programme for parliamentary education organized by the VR Secretariat and EU-UNDP Parliamentary Reform project. 4. Activities of PEC and educational lessons are fully integrated within the Model District component activities, “Rada Info” movable expositions that teach people in regions on the Verkhovna Rada functions and activities. 5. Presentation of the Verkhovna Rada Education Center was held in 3 regions so far: Vinnytsya, Khmelnytskyi, Lugansk regions. Under the participation of MPs and the VR Secretariat staffers, at least 600 participants from various regional localities including rural areas attended educational sessions. 6. NGO “Education Policy Development Agency” prepared for publication a textbook “My Parliament: I understand and impact”, which contains interactive methods for parliamentary lessons and interactive quests for pupils.
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OBJECTIVE 2: Strengthen capacities of the Members of Parliament and the Secretariat staff Expected Result 2.1: The European Information and Research Center (EIRC)1 institutionalized. The RADA Program has advocated the institutionalization of the IRC through the creation of the Information Research Service. During the previous reporting period, the Program focused on on the building the understanding of the functioning of the Center and demand for the IRC operation by newly appointed Head of the VR Secretariat Vyacheslav Shtuchnyi and other VR partners. Head of the VR Secretariat informed about the establishment of the Parliamentary Research Service several times during the public and media events. At the interview to the Ukranian Radio on February 3, 2020 Vyacheslav Shtuchnyi presented the current status of the functional audit of the VR Secretariat and plans to establish two new units - the parliamentary research service and training center. (26 min of the interview). On February 6 2020 at the meeting with Deputy Ambassador of Germany in Ukraine, Mr. Shtuchnyi mentioned that in 2020 the Secretariat will be transformed to increase efficiency. Among the nearest plans there are creation of a new structure of the Secretariat, reform of the exist departments and units, creation of the training center and parliamentary research service.
Despite the VRU Secretariat is still waiting for the final results of the functional audit which is conducted by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy with the support of the UNDP Parliamentary Reform Project the Program has supported the Main legal Department in drafting of the Resolution on Information Research Department of the VR Secretariat. After the functional analysis completion, the Information Research Center will be placed at the VR Structure. The draft of the Resolution will be discussed with the responsible units of the Secretariat such as Human Resource Department, the Main Science Expert Department, Financial Department etc. The Project has drafted also the development plan of the Center for future several years, communication strategy to increase the demand for the information analytical services of the Center. All documents will be discussed during the strategic sessions to integrate in the best the needs and the international practices of the parliamentary research services. The RADA Program provided the support to the Parliament to translate and produce the Guidelines for Parliamentary Research Services which is a joint publication between International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The Manual is important to bring the best international experience and integrate the Ukrainian experience gained during 2015 – 2020 years. In partnership with the Human Resource Department of the VR Secretariat, the RADA Program has conducted a training on policy analysis for 18 representatives of the VRU Secretariat (10 women and 8 men).
1 In 2019 the European Information and Research center was renamed on Information and Research Center USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 10
• During the reporting period the interns of the Information Research Center have prepared 32 information notes and briefs under the requests of the MPs, the committees and units of the VR. There are some examples where the partners used the products of the IRC: On February 13, 2020 the Committee on Agriculture and Land Policy conducted the Committee hearing On Development of the Foreign Agriculture Trade in the Framework of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. • On March 2, 2020 the Committee on Foreign Relations and interparliamentary Liaison conducted the round table on Monitoring on the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and Beijing Platform for Action. The RADA Program continued to promote the IRC among the MPs of the ninth convocation: • All the MPs received an information letter on the services of the EIRC for MPs that included the link to Google-form, which allows MP to register its request on an information note online; • There were conducted two presentation of the Center at the Budget Committee and the Anticorruption Committee; The RADA Program uses the opportunities of the Parliamentary Education Center to inform MPs on the IRC services. As a result, 31 requests from the VRU Committees and the VRU Secretariat staff were received. The sample of the information produced by VRU and RADA Program interns can be found under this URL
Expected Result 2.2: New member orientation training conducted and sustainability advanced. This reporting period, RADA Program continued its activity on implementation of the action plan on joined activity of the RADA Program and the VRU Secretariat within the New Member Orientation (NMO) component. RADA Program in cooperation with VRU Secretariat continue to conduct trainings for newly elected MPs and their aides. Thus, this reporting period, in addition to the 4 regional trainings, RADA Program in cooperation with VR Secretariat conducted 1 training in Kyiv: • On February 25-26 on “Legislative process” (on the request of the Head of the VRU Committee on the organization of state power, local self-government, regional and urban development Andrii Klochko, for 32 aides of MPs – members of the Committee) VR Secretariat representatives, who have been trained during TOTs, conducted by the RADA Program Training Center, actively involved as trainers to the training activity.
• On February 11, 22 staffers of parliamentary committees’ and factions Secretariats received training on “Preparation of information and analytical reports to support the legislative process”. It was organized by the USAID RADA Program in cooperation with VR HR Secretariat’s Department. The basic knowledge of policy analyses, peculiarities and approaches in preparation of information and analytical reports is necessary for the successful functioning of the parliamentary Secretariat in providing support for insuring efficient legislative process.
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On January 23, RADA Program COP and DCOP met with newly-appointed Head of VR Secretariat’s HR Department Tetyana Pazhytnova. The purpose of the meeting was to present USAID RADA Program activities and discuss the plans of future cooperation with HR Department regarding trainings for VRU Secretariat as well as MPs and MPs aides. There is political will of newly appointed VR Secretariat leadership to establish the Training Center at the VRU. RADA Program considers this as an opportunity for sustainable institutionalization of NMO component and training programs and will work closely with VR Secretariat leadership and HR Department to transfer all training programs to the VRU Training Center after its establishment. On March 2 RADA Program presented its training modules and activity at the VRU. The event took place at the Press Center of the VRU. MPs, MP aides, representatives of the VR Secretariat participated.
OBJECTIVE 3: Advance Coordinated Donor Support to Parliament
During the reporting period RADA program conducted three IPTAC meetings on the following topics:
• January 29, 2020 the meeting was devoted to session results and plan for the forthcoming session after parliamentary vacations. The following MPs: Pavlo Frolov (People’s Servant), Victoria Grib(non-affiliate), Maksym Perebiynis (People’s Servant) ,Dmytro Mykysha (People’s Servant),Ihor Vasiliyev (People’s Servant) and Vadym Halaichuk (People’s Servant) took part and presented their opinions. All MPs emphasized that Parliament needs to find ways to limit a number of amendments that are intentionally submitted to make the legislative process and adopted legislation ineffective.MP Frolov said that among important laws adopted there are: on those who reveals corruption and other important anti-corruption initiatives, impeachment to the President. Among the priorities for the upcoming session he named decentralization laws, changes to the Constitution, land reform and changes to the parliamentary procedure.
The Head of the VR Secretariat’s Legal Department Mykhailo Tepliuk assured representatives of the donors’ community in their readiness and necessity to continue the internal reform of the Verkhovna Rada and vital need to change the parliamentary procedure. He emphasized on the need to increase professional skills of staffers and MPs by introducing a special training unit within the Parliament and establishment of the parliamentary research service.
MPs Halaichuk, Vasyliev and Perebiynis noted that work of parliamentary committees is very important in the legislative process and it is necessary to find solution to proportionally divide legislative load on committees as well.
RADA Program Senor Consultant Volodymyr Kryzhanivskiy presented analysis of the work of previous two sessions and said that parliamentary procedure was kept, although mentioned that great burden is put on the VR Secretariat Main Legal Department that makes legislative work of Parliament less effective.
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• On February 26, 2020 the meeting was devoted to the parliamentary civic education and its importance in raising democratic values and human dignity especially among school children and students. VR General Secretary Viacheslav Shtuchniy took part in the meeting and assured donors projects on readiness of the Parliament to promote parliamentary civic education. He also highly estimated the work of the newly established Parliamentary Education center and its popularity and accessibility for young visitors.
Head of Education Center Maryna Tereshchuk, Deputy Head of the Agency of Education Policy Iryna Ivaniuk and the parliamentary education expert of the Office of Parliamentary Reform Mariya Savina expressed their positions on the necessity to promote the idea of parliamentary civic education, including its inclusion into school curricula.
MPs Pavlo Frolov, Yulia Gryshyna, Vadym Halaichuk and Pavlo Bakunets, all from Servants of People faction shared their experience with work of the Parliamentary Education Center and stressed the importance of civic education for schools.
• On March 31, 2020 IPTAC meeting was conducted in the teleconference mode and raised issues on how modern parliament organizes work at a distance.
50 participants attended the meeting online. Among the key speakers Pavlo Frolov (Servant of People) said that Ukraine Parliament succeeded to adopt necessary legislation that allow to work at the Committees sittings remotely and maintain electronic load of documents, Yulia Kyrychenko from the think tank “Center of Legal and Political Reforms” said that parliamentary procedure needs to be amended with the chapter on how to act in force majeure situations. She also emphasized on the necessity to change the order of laws adoption. VR Secretariat Head of the Computerized Systems Department told on details of progressive digital changes in the work of committees in particular and in the Parliament’s work, in general.
Oleksand Kliuzhev, legal expert of OPORA civic network expressed certain fears as to limitation of work of parliament as the democratic assembly that is the case today in many parliaments due to old fashion procedures and rules. He also said that these limitations may lead to autocracy of those who take decisions.
During the reporting period, USAID RADA Program has been preparing comments and analytical notes to bills and other normative acts:
- On Draft Law No. 2691 “On Amending the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to Improve the Legislative Procedure” - On Draft Law No. 2598 “On Amending the Constitution of Ukraine (Regarding Decentralization of Power)” - On Decision of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine On Compliance of Some Laws Regarding Judicial System, Judicial Self-Government Bodies, And High Council of Justice With the Constitution - On Legal Grounds for Parliamentary Work under Emergency Situation USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 13
- On the Initiative of Prime Minister of Ukraine D. Shmyhal for the Transfer of Powers in the Sphere of State Governance from One Body of Authority to Another in the Event of an Epidemic - On Draft Law No. 3250 “On the Grounds and the Procedure for Holding Plenary Meetings of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in a Video Conference Mode during the Period of Implementation of Measures Aimed at Preventing the Emergence and Spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).” - On Draft Law No. 3260 “On Amending Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Improve Certain Mechanisms of Banking Activity Regulation” - On Draft Law No. 2571- “On Amending Some Legislative Documents of Ukraine with Regard to Improving Certain Mechanisms Regulating Banking Activities” д Through its mailing list and web-site, the RADA Program provided information on the following key parliamentary votings:
- On Jan 13, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Has Signed Law No. 2148 On Introduction of Criminal Liability for Indirect Voting - On Jan 14, Parliament Preliminary Approved Draft Law No.1028 On Amending Constitution of Ukraine on Parliamentary Consultative, Advisory and Other Auxiliary Bodies - On Jan 16, Verkhovna Rada Adopted Draft Law No. 2492 on Improving Electronic Form of Legislative Process - On Feb 4, Parliament Provided Its Preliminary Approval for Changing the Constitution Regarding Decrease of the Constitutional Composition of the Verkhovna Rada (Draft Law No. 1017) - On Mar 30, Parliament Adopted Law No. 3277 On Committees Work in Remote Mode Under Quarantine Conditions - On Mar 30, Parliament Reduced Time Frame for Submitting Alternative Draft Laws to Bill on Banking Activity Regulation (Draft Law No. 3260) - On Mar 30, Verkhovna Rada Supported Draft Law No. 2571- On Banking Activity Regulation As a Basis д - On Mar 31, Verkhovna Rada Adopted Draft Law No. 2178-10 On Land Turnover
Other Relevant Activities
E-Parliament Component
Parliamentary Electronic Single Document Management System Launched Through USAID RADA Program Support
On February 4, the Verkhovna Rada, launched an innovative Single Document Management System, which puts the legislative body on a paperless path by allowing the flow and approval of official documents electronically. In 2015-2018, USAID RADA Program provided support for several VRU Secretariat initiatives to make the work of MPs, Parliamentary Committees, and the Secretariat more transparent. These e-tools include the VRU Electronic Committee and the Electronic Agenda of VRU Plenary Meetings.
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 14
The Single Document Management System was launched with passage of the Law on Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the VRU, which addressed workflow improvements through the use of electronic documents.
USAID RADA Program continues supporting the training of MPs and Secretariat staffers on effective utilization of the new e-system.
USAID RADA Program Supports Launch of Remote Parliamentary Committees Meetings
On March 30, the Parliament adopted the Law #3277 “On Amending the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine” that regulates an issue of remote holding of the VRU Committees meetings.
The Law requires simultaneous usage of a videoconferencing system and the Electronic Parliamentary Committee Meeting System that was developed and launched with the USAID RADA Program support and this year became an integrated part of the Single Electronic Documents Management System of the VRU.
From the very beginning of the COVID-19 quarantine USAID RADA experts have been regularly providing VRU IT Department and VRU Secretariat with technical and analytical support for possible ways, approaches, technical and legal solutions for organizing committees’ meetings using videoconference mode.
After the Law #3277 was adopted, USAID RADA Program continues supporting this initiative by providing online trainings for MPs, parliamentary committees and committees secretariat staffers.
Parliamentary public e-services monitoring
USAID RADA Program continues monitoring of public electronic tools of interaction with Parliament such as VRU e-Petitions Portal and the Citizens-Rada Legislative Discussion E- Platform. The results have been regularly presented via USAID RADA Program monthly Parliamentary Digest and social media in form of infographics.
RADA Program Communication & Outreach
RADA Program conducts its communication activities targeting direct and indirect stakeholders and target groups via:
1. Facebook-page. In Ukrainian.
As of March 31, 2020, the page had 5799 followers (5615 as for the end of the previous quarter; + 184 followers)
Target audience: MPs, their aides, VR Secretariat staffers, representatives of international and donor organizations and embassies, all those interested in the RADA Program activities.
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2. Web-site. In Ukrainian and English.
12263 views of the web-site during the reporting period (for comparison, 14679 views during the previous quarter, so 2416 less views; in contrast to the I quarter of 2019 (9343 views), number of views increased by 2920).
Target audience: MPs, their aides, VR Secretariat staffers, representatives of international and donor organizations and embassies, all those interested in the RADA Program activities
3. RADA Program issues monthly Digest (in Ukrainian) covering the Program’s activities.
Target audience: Its recipients are MPs (423 persons), their aides, VR Secretariat staffers, and other stakeholders.
The mailing list includes over 1200 subscribers.
The digest for 3 months can be found:
January - opened by 234 subsribers
February - opened by 249 subscribers
March - opened by 181 subscribers
4. Flash-news and expert comments by mailing list. In English.
They relate to results of parliamentary voting on bills and resolutions pertaining to parliamentary and constitutional reforms, parliamentary procedural issues, and some socially appealing issues (decentralization. land reform, etc.)
In January-March, 2020, RADA Program sent out 77 flash news and comments.
13 analytical and informational materials were sent directly to the USAID (N.B.: USAID contacts are also in the general database; thus, the Agency receives all flash news and comments disseminated through the general database currently containing more than 240 contacts).
Target audience: representatives of international and donor organizations, as well as foreign embassies.
5. YouTube-channel
1617 views in January-March 2020 (for comparison, 1156 views in the I quarter of 2019, so +461 views more in contrast to the same quarter of the previous year)
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 16
Target audience: interested viewers, in general interested in education
CROSS-CUTTING USAID COMPONENTS Gender N/A 27 women were elected to the Verkhovna Rada of the 9th convocation in the single-mandate constituencies, which is the largest number in the history of Independent Ukraine. Maintaining such a trend for the future is important in ensuring women's representation in parliament, developing women's leadership, and participating in decision-making process.
On February 6, RADA Program in cooperation with MP Iryna Konstankevych held a working meeting with women MPs elected in single-mandate constituencies. Iryna Konstankevich is only one out of four majoritarian women MPs of the 8-th convocation, who was re-elected in the results of early elections to the Verkhovna Rada of 9-th convocation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges faced by majoritarian women MPs in fulfilling the of MP’s functions, in particular in constituencies, the need to strengthen the work of MPs teams in constituencies and to communicate with different categories of voters. 12 majoritarian women MPs and 2 women MPs elected by party lists participated. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Head of the VR Secretariat’s Department on Communication with Local Authorities and Local Self-Government Bodies, Coordinator of the Equal Opportunities Interfaction Union’s Secretariat, as well as representatives of the Office of the Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada.
During the meeting, the MPs discussed the issues of women's leadership and the challenges that women MPs face while working in the Verkhovna Rada and in the constituency. In particular, stereotypes of women's participation in politics and decision-making, pressure on women activists, approaches to solving pressing issues of the district, team building, strategic and crisis communications, parliamentary ethics, etc.
The MPs agreed on the continuation of further communication, discussed the necessity of further exchange of experience and best practices in their work, holding joint events with participation of teams in the regions, training and development of teams’ skills and joining efforts to solve important issues for the country and regions, capacity development and women's leadership.
The USAID RADA Program presented the resources offered to MPs and their teams within the Model District project and other opportunities provided by the Program in collaboration with the VRU apparatus to enhance the effectiveness of the MP and his team and offered support in further communication and exchange of experience. and the best practices of majority MPs.
VI. PERFORMANCE MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING The RADA Program management used the following MEL tools during the reporting period: 1. A staff meeting of all the Program staff is held once a week to: a. Analyze activities within the Program during the previous week. b. Plan the next week. c. Analyze the successes and difficulties in the implementation of the annual operational plan. 2. Analysis of the program managers’ monthly reports. 3. Compilation of a common list of participants in the RADA Program’s events.
VII. LESSONS LEARNED 1. All public activities, including study visits, trainings, regional events were postponed due to COVID-19. Despite RADA program had no plans to include more formats of activities,
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 17
COVID situation forced to add more formats that allow to mirror activities via teleconference regime, zoom and other online formats. 2. RADA Program is still in negotiation process on establishing two departments: parliamentary research and on the support to MPs to work in constituencies. Despite the delay in processing of these two issues due to the functional audit of VR Secretariat, RADA Program drafts legal framework in order to institutionalize these departments. 3. As to the parliamentary research service, the need for the policy approach towards legislation needs to be articulated among MPs and staffers. The principles, including independence of the research service needs to be key for effective functioning and non- partisanship. Advocacy efforts needs to be introduced among MPs in order to explain them a need for research service as well as its non-partisanship principle as an important element of the democratic parliament. RADA Program identified three key elements to proceed that include: raising awareness, training and education components. 4. In order to introduce and conduct internal structural changes, horizontal coordination among VR Secretariat departments is needed. For RADA Program there is a great challenge to set up coordination mechanism and ensure its functioning for the future.
VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING The Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) was not approved by USAID for the Program.
IX. PROGRESS ON LINKS TO OTHER ACTIVITIES The RADA Program held its traditional coordination meetings of the international technical assistance projects (so-called IPTAC – International Parliamentary Technical Assistance Coordination) to discuss the most topical parliamentary news stories. Eight events were held during the reporting period.
X. PROGRESS ON LINKS TO HOST GOVERNMENT All the RADA Program activities during the reporting period are directly or indirectly linked to the Parliament of Ukraine.
XI. PROGRESS ON INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT In all its activities the RADA Program ensures that gender awareness is taken into consideration. The Program ensures that women and men have the same opportunities and are treated identically and without discrimination. Please refer to the Cross-Cutting Components of this Report.
XII. FINANCIAL INFORMATION N/A. XIII. SUB-AWARD DETAILS See Attachment 3
XIV. ACTIVITY ADMINISTRATION A. Constraints and Critical Issues N/A.
B. Personnel No personnel changes occurred. USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 18
C. Contract, Award or Cooperative Agreement Modifications and Amendments The reporting period is the second quarter of the Program extension till June 2020, according to Modification No. 05 to Cooperative Agreement No. AID-121-A-14-00001.
D. Status of Deliverables/Milestones THE RADA PROGRAM YEAR 6 PLAN Status of Expected Results / Activities completion (%) 1. OBJECTIVE 1. INCREASE CIVIC REPRESENTATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE PARLIAMENT’S WORK 1.1. Expected Result 1.1. The Model Districts Initiative institutionalized Training-of-trainers modules developed and delivered to Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) staff that will prepare them to provide training activities on their own on topics such as: communication with voters, 1.1.i. MP status, and building teams in constituencies. As a result, the VRU Secretariat Staff and factions will be better prepared to train, support, and consult MPs and their teams on their work in the constituencies Support VR Secretariat in conducting a questionnaire of at least 50 MPs and MP aids to identify the needs of 1.1.i.1 MPs and their teams in implementation of representative function and improvement of communication 100 with the voters as well as VR Secretariat’s role and support in this process (January-February 2019) Conduct at least 4 regional focus-groups (Sumy, Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv) with participation of various categories of voters/institutions (NGOs, local self-governance, media etc.), representatives of VR Secretariat, MPs and 1.1.i.2 100 their teams to identify the challenges, gaps and needs in communication and cooperation of MPs with the voters and support that VR Secretariat can provide in this process (February-March 2019) Conduct a working meeting with participation of VR Secretariat, MPs – participants of the Model District 1.1.i.3 Project, their teams with methodologists and trainers of the USAID RADA Program to generalize, present and 100 discuss the needs and the best ways to improve the existing trainings and to develop new ones (March 2019) Update and improve the training modules, developed by RADA Program in Y1-Y5, and develop new ones on 1.1.i.4 various aspects of representative function implementation and communication with the voters as well as on 80 civic representation and public engagement in the Parliament’s work (January-May 2019) Develop and conduct 2 training-of-trainers modules on various aspects of representative function 1.1.i.5 implementation and communication with the voters as well as on civic representation and public 80 engagement in the Parliament’s work (May-July 2019) Conduct at least 7 regional trainings for MPs’ teams and various categories of voters/institutions (NGOs, local self-governance, etc.) on various aspects of representative function implementation and 1.1.i.6 100 communication with the voters as well as on civic representation and public engagement in the Parliament’s work (linked to 1.2.ix) (February-December 2019) Conduct competition and award grants for NGOs to raise public awareness of the Parliament’s 1.1.i.7 100 representative function, communication and cooperation with MPs (May 2019) In partnership with a newly-established VRU Secretariat department, support structured MP communications (for example, field Committee hearings) with target groups within constituencies and feedback on citizen 1.1.ii. concerns at the national level, in cooperation with regional media, the private sector, and civil society in constituencies will be introduced, tested, and explored Support VR Secretariat in establishing and developing of specialized VR Department to support MPs in implementation of representative function and communication with the voters. Based on MPs’ and MP 1.1.ii.1 aides’ survey, focus groups, and working meeting results, identify the main tasks for the specialized 50 structural division of VR Secretariat to develop a Draft Regulation on its activity and main approaches for its implementation (linked to 1.1.i.1, 1.1.i.2, 1.1.i.3) (January-September 2019) In cooperation with VR Secretariat (a newly-established VRU Secretariat department), support MPs in communication with target groups in the constituencies through support in conducting different types of 1.1.ii.2 process thematic discussions related to the specific issues of state policy (such as Committee field hearings, public consultations, forums etc.) (February-December 2019)
1.1.iii. Develop guidelines on MP work in a constituency for VRU Secretariat approval Based on MPs’ and MP aides’ survey, focus groups, and working meeting results as well as the trainings’ evaluation, identify the main topics to be introduced in and develop guidelines for specialized VR 1.1.iii.1. 80 Secretariat’s department staff and MPs related constituency communications (linked to 1.1.i.1, 1.1.i.2, 1.1.i.3, 1.1.i.6, 2.1.i.1) Support twinning of Ukrainian MPs and those from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, or other countries with 1.1.iv. relevant models of MP work in constituencies. The RADA Program has significant experience in organizing exchanges at the constituency level Organize a twinning program of Ukrainian MPs of 8th convocation and those from a country with relevant 1.1.iv.1 30 models of MP work in constituencies (April 2019) USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 19
Organize a twinning program of newly elected Ukrainian MPs of 9th convocation and those from a country 1.1.iv.2 30 with relevant models of MP work in constituencies (February-May 2020)
1.1.iv.3 Share the achievements of a twinning program during the final Conference at the end of the Project (May 2020) 0 Provide an expert consultant to work closely with VRU Secretariat staff, who will monitor and analyze all 1.1.v. elements of the initiative and develop a comprehensive approach to achieving the result Announce an open call for the position of an expert consultant to work closely with VRU Secretariat staff to 1.1.v.1 monitor and analyze all elements of the initiative and develop a comprehensive approach to achieving the 0 result (April 2019) 1.1.v.2 Identify an international consultant to provide expert support (May 2019) 0 Local and international consultants will work in parallel to monitor and analyze all elements of the initiative 1.1.v.3 0 and develop a comprehensive approach to achieving the result (April 2019 – May 2020) Conduct a concluding conference on introducing a specialized department at the VRU Secretariat on the 1.1.vi. 0 expanded Model Districts Initiative at the end of the project 1.2. Expected Result 1.2. Parliamentary Education Center created and institutionalized In partnership with Ukrainian CSOs and VRU Secretariat, conduct an audit of all educational products aimed 1.2.i. 80 at parliamentary strengthening and development, including those developed within the RADA Program Develop an introductory course of civic education trainings for VRU staffers in order to identify priorities, 1.2.ii. target groups, their needs and tools Announce an open call among experts to work out the civic education training on the parliamentary issues 1.2.ii.1 100 (February 2019) 1.2.ii.2 Develop curricula of the training module and training itself (February – March 2019) 100 Conduct the training on civic education on a rolling basis for VR Secretariat, CSOs. Utilize elements of such Process 1.2.ii.3 (1 was training during activities in the Model District (April, 2019) conducted) Support an expert consultant to advise the VRU on developing Education Center methodologies, a 1.2.iii. strategic plan, and operational activities Announce a job vacancy and recruit the Education Center’s Manager who will lead and manage all the 1.2.iii.1 activities within the Center development including negotiations with the experts involved as well as 100 coordination of efforts of all the stakeholders (January – February 2019) Support a newly established Education Center with two consultants – local and international, in order to 1.2.iii.2 0 provide best practices and introduce the experience in Ukrainian Parliamentary Education Center modules The strategic and operational planning experts should also conduct one strategic session and several 1.2.iii.3 0 consultations with the VRU Secretariat staff and others involved in the Center’s activities In close consultation with VR Secretariat, local and international experts, develop and present for wide inter 1.2.iii.4 VR Secretariat a discussion on strategic and operational plans to be approved. The first drafts of the 0 strategic and operational plans should be developed by December 31, 2019 (May – December 2019) Conduct two study trips for VRU Secretariat staff to EU member countries to learn the best international 1.2.iv. experience of parliamentary educational instruments and models, which will be then incorporated into 50 activities of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Educational Center Develop differential parliamentary training/education tools and curricula for different target audiences 1.2.v. 100 on parliamentary work in Ukraine (primary schools, university students, others) Socialize the Parliamentary Education Center development strategy and operational activities with key 1.2.vi. 40 stakeholders 1.2.vii. Operational two-year plan for the Center developed and approved by the Head of the Secretariat 0 Equip the Center with RADA Program educational tools and instruments, methodologies, comparative 1.2.viii. analyses of international experience, competitively selected and trained personnel, and informational 80 and educational materials designed for various groups of citizens Test and integrate educational products into the VRU Communication Strategy and Model District 1.2.ix. process component to bring the Parliament to the regions of Ukraine 2. OBJECTIVE 2. STRENGTHEN CAPACITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND THE SECRETARIAT STAFF 2.1. Expected Result 2.1. The European Information and Research Center (EIRC) institutionalized Develop and present a methodology matrix to the VRU Secretariat on how Committee staff will be 2.1.i. 100 trained in primary research and international experience to meet Committee policy needs As a bridge prior to the establishment of a Parliamentary Research Service, training of VRU Secretariat 2.1.ii. departments, the Institute of Legislation, and VR Committee staff will be conducted according to the process matrix on a rolling basis 2.1.ii.1. Selection of the EIRC interns (February – December 2019) 100 Conduct at least seven training sessions for the VRU Secretariat and the VRU Committee Secretariats staff 2.1.ii.2. 70 and interns on the analytical documents’ development (April 2019 – March, 2020) USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 20
Support an expert consultant to lead introduction of the Parliamentary Research Service within VRU, in 2.1.iii. 100 partnership with the VRU Legal Department Develop a comprehensive curriculum on basic policy analysis (based on the policy analysis course 2.1.iv. 100 developed under the RADA Program), to be transferred to VRU Promote EIRC activities and services to MPs and the Secretariat, developing the constituency for public 2.1.v. process policy analysis as a mandatory part of legislative processes Conduct three exchange visits with the German Bundestag and other European parliaments with strong 2.1.vi. 0 research services for VRU staffers to learn about international comparative experience A Parliamentary Research Service Strategy, based on EIRC experience and international best practices, 2.1.vii. 20 developed, discussed with stakeholders, and submitted for approval by the Speaker Conduct awareness-raising and advocacy activities among MPs and VRU staffers to fully introduce the 2.1.viii. process Parliamentary Research Service into the VRU structure and ensure allocation from the Secretariat’s budget
2.2. Expected Result 2.2. New member orientation training conducted and sustainability advanced
2.2.i. Update NMO procedures and materials for adoption by the VRU Secretariat 2.2.i.1 Support VR Main Organizational Department to review and update NMO Procedures (March-May 2019) 100 Support VR Main Organizational Department to review and update NMO materials as well as to update 2.2.i.2 100 materials developed by the RADA Program to include them in the NMO package (March-September 2019)
2.2.ii. 2.2.ii. Ensure that NMO materials are included in the document package for newly elected MPs
Work closely with the Main Organizational Department to form the document package for newly elected 2.2.ii.1. 100 MPs (April-September 2019) Train the Secretariat’s Main Organizational Department in delivering NMO for newly elected MPs and 2.2.iii. their aides of all parliamentary factions 2.2.iii.1 Review and update training modules (January-May 2019) 100 2.2.iii.2 Update training-of-trainers module (June-July 2019) 100 2.2.iii.3 Conduct training-of-trainers (September 2019) 100 Support the Main Organizational Department in conducting NMO for newly elected MPs and their aides 2.2.iii.4 100 (November-December 2019) 3. OBJECTIVE 3. ADVANCE COORDINATED DONOR SUPPORT TO PARLIAMENT Monitor legislative developments and changes in the Constitution and parliamentary procedure, in 3.1.i. particular those that regulate major policy reforms; and inform other development projects and donor partners on these developments 3.1.i.1 Conduct monthly monitoring of parliamentary work process 3.1.i.2 Develop a methodology for the Index of Legislative Process Quality (January-February 2019) 100 3.1.i.3 Conduct surveys on the Index of Legislative Process Quality (March, 2019 and July, 2019) 100 Extend update on the Parliamentary reform and changes to the Parliamentary Procedure. The RADA 3.1.i.4 Program will continue to update the Parliamentary reform matrix, which includes projects’ activities and process actions of the parliamentary representatives Work closely with APDU (Association of People’s Deputies of Ukraine) in conducting policy dialogues on the 3.1.i.5 Constitution and Parliamentary Procedure change in order to transfer parliamentary institutional memory process to the upcoming convocations Facilitate other technical assistance programs participation in VRU working groups, discussion groups, 3.1.ii. Committee meetings, and other events on topics of their interest; and provide feedback and comparative analyses to VRU Committees and individual MPs The RADA Program will facilitate the advocacy activities of technical assistance programs by assisting in 3.1.ii.1 process info-fair preparation, advocacy support, participation in the parliamentary work 3.1.ii.2 Conduct coordination meeting with donor organizations and VRU staff “How the Parliament Works” (April 2019) 0 Conduct Parliamentary Procedure trainings for technical assistance projects, representatives of foreign 3.1.ii.3 30 missions, and per request on a rolling basis (February – 2019 – June 2020) Support the parliamentary Committees to prepare user-friendly informational materials on the Committees’ 3.1.ii.4 process scope of work and plans to promote a program for planning their advocacy activity Lead International Parliamentary Technical Assistance Coordination (IPTAC) monthly donor coordination 3.1.iii. 85 meetings (conduct at least 7 IPTAC meetings).
E. Coordination and Partnerships
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 21
The RADA Program considers itself as a link for other partner projects to the Parliament of Ukraine.
F. Geographic Information On the request of MPs, RADA Program in cooperation with VRU Secretariat conducted a series of regional events under the common title “Parliamentary Days in the Regions” in Khmelnytskyi (January 24-25), Severodonets, Novoaidar and Schastya (February 1-2), Vinnytsya (February 20-21) and Chernihiv (March 12-13).
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 22
XV. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1
Examples of the Request from MPs to conduct regional events
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USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 24
Attachment 2
Annex list of the information notes and briefs prepared during the first quarter of 2020
as part of Parliamentary Research Service Model
1. The Role of Parliament and Its Structural Units in Supporting the MPs at His/Her Work in the Electoral District and Communication with Voters: http://bit.ly/2U3a3GN
2. Unused Financial Assistance from the European Union Granted to Ukraine in the Period 2014-2020: http://bit.ly/2TXJXos
3. The Work of the MPs in the Electoral District and Communication with Voters: http://bit.ly/38MZZqv
4. Exist State Policy in Different Countries, first of all in the EU, USA, Canada Regarding the Governmental Financial Support for the Regional Development, Communities Similar to the Ukrainian Subvention on Socio-Economic Development: http://bit.ly/38MZZqv
5. Procedure for the Establishment and Regulation of Parliamentary Research Services in the Parliaments of the European Union: https://bit.ly/2J3CvTN
6. Rules of the Considering Procedure During the Legislative Process in the EU Countries: https://bit.ly/2WC08L7
7. State Guarantees for the Investments: https://bit.ly/39mzqIY
8. The Polish Parliament During the Emergency State: https://bit.ly/2UKZqsu
9. France in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/39sx7En
10. Italy in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/3awW4Qn
11. The Republic of Moldova in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/3azcOq4
12. Armenia in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/39BLS89
13. Romania in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/39ypSe2
14. Georgia in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/3dH1ABQ
15. Portugal in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/3dJeFe4
16. Spain in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/3axGTGG
17. US in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/2UuMUy7
18. Finland in a state of emergency: https://bit.ly/39rMe0J
19. Kazakhstan in a State of Emergency: https://bit.ly/2JHCjKl
20. Australia in a State of emergency: https://bit.ly/340RYNO
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 25
21. Procedure of the Second Reading of Bills in in EU and US Parliaments: https://bit.ly/3bYNDOh
22. The Diplomatic and Political Cooperation Between Ukraine and the Republic of Chile: https://bit.ly/2VaILyw
23. The Ukrainian Diaspora in Chile, Features of its Resettlement and Employment: https://bit.ly/2V6INHH
24. The Law on Distance Elections at the Elections of the President of the Republic of Poland: https://bit.ly/2xatnKE
25. The Development Touristic Relations Between Chile and Ukraine: https://bit.ly/2URx2Gk
26. The Structure of Export and Import between Ukraine and the Republic of Chile: https://bit.ly/3a2BSoj
27. The Republic Chile's Economic Development Areas: https://bit.ly/3cc7v0g
28. The Number of Members of the National Parliaments by Number Population: https://bit.ly/2Vqe3BQ
29. The Avoiding of Legislative Spam Practices in World: https://bit.ly/3bwqgMa
30. The Legal Regulation of Parliamentary Opposition Activity: https://bit.ly/2S0qkM7
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 26
Attachment 3
The list of Organization and activities under the
Grant Program “Democratic Representation of Constituencies”
Odesa Regional Organization of the Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Committee of Voters of Ukraine"
PROJECT “Interaction of voters and MPs of Odessa region – the basis for democratic representation”
Project dates and period
01/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
The Odessa Regional Organization of the All-Ukrainian Public Organization "Committee of Voters of Ukraine" has the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of foundation - 1997.
Main directions of activity:
• Promoting the integrity of electoral processes,
• Promoting the development of democratic institutions,
• Promoting the legal capacity of people and communities,
• Promoting the development of media and public journalism.
Project description
The aim of the project is to help building interaction between MPs elected in single-member constituencies of Odesa region and citizens through promoting the capacity of the MPs to communicate with citizens about their work in the constituency and in the parliament, as well as to help raise awareness of the voters of Odesa region on interaction with MPs to solve the problems within the constituency.
Develop and disseminate materials on the rights and duties of MPs, information about the acceptance rooms of MPs, the current activities of MPs; introduce a system of systematization and unification of citizens' appeals, identification on their basis the grounds for further requests or appeals of the MPs; informing the voters about MPs activity through the public reports of MPs and informal meetings with citizens in the format of "coffee with MP", monitoring and analysing the approaches used to communicate with citizens about the problems of the constituency. Particular attention will also be paid to engaging with the young audience for whom the educational event will be offered in the format of intellectual game.
Project geography: Odesa region
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Center of Political and Legal Reforms
PROJECT “Strengthening the role of the public experts in the process of amending the Constitution in Parliament”
Project dates and period
1/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
The Center for Political and Legal Reform is an analytical center with the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of foundation - 1996.
Main directions of activity:
• Developing public policy in a particular area of public relations and facilitating its proper implementation.
• Scientific and advisory activities for the theoretical substantiation of the proposed changes and the communication of legal positions to the decision-makers.
• Educational work to mobilize policy makers and the public to solve common problems or to train specific target audiences.
• Monitoring of the activity of the authorities for compliance with the Constitution and laws of Ukraine, obligations arising from membership of the Council of Europe, and the conditions of European integration.
Project description
The project is aimed at enhancing the role of the expert community in the process of changing the Constitution, facilitating constitutional changes in the interests of society, rather than temporary political interests, as well as raising public awareness of the proposed constitutional initiatives of the authorities. Education campaign on key parliamentary functions and importance of representative function will be conducted for MPs and their Aides with emphasis on importance of work with voters as the guarantee for the democratic governance in Ukraine.
The project provides for 6 constitutional discussions (constitutional brunches) for the MPs, their assistants and the expert community in order to increase the role of the expert public in the process of amending the Constitution in Parliament.
Project geography: Ukraine
Association for Political Science
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PROJECT “From quality communication to community involvement in decision making”
Project dates and period
1/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
«Association for Political Sciences» has the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of foundation - 2008.
The main directions and tasks of the Association are:
• monitoring of the political situation, analysis and preparation of practical recommendations for political forces and politicians, public authorities and local self-government bodies; organization of training seminars and trainings for political process participants;
• lobbying for democratic reforms and organizing advocacy campaigns, developing political programs and drafts of regulations;
• implementation of measures aimed at combating corruption.
Project description
The aim of the project is to introduce a process of cooperation of MPs of the Kirovohrad region with the voters of their constituencies, by increasing the number of open meetings and communication events between MPs and different groups of voters, as well as by increasing the level of understanding of the functions of the Parliament and MPs among citizens.
The project is aimed at (1) establishing communication between the MPs elected in the single- mandate districts of the Kirovohrad region with the voters of their constituencies, to introduce the tradition of semi-annual public reporting of the MPs to the voters of the region, to help carry out the work of the acceptance rooms of MPs; (2) to create an analytical and information center that would work on draft legislation analyses, the study of public opinion on them from the target groups, as well as the organization of meetings of MPs from Kirovohrad region with these target groups, in order to convey the opinion of the community, committees and VR factions.
Project geography: Kirovohrad region
NGO “Agency of Education Policy Development”
PROJECT “Creating a network of interactive parliamentary educational centers for elementary and secondary school students”
Project dates and period
1/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
The NGO " Agency of Education Policy Development " has the status of non-profit.
USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 29
Year of foundation - 2008.
Main directions of activity:
• carrying out an independent public assessment of the administrative decisions of state authorities in the field of education, evaluation and expertise of mechanisms of state regulation of education development; • implementation of public assessment and examination of educational projects and programs implemented by other public, international, charitable organizations; • carrying out educational activities in the formulation and implementation of educational policy; • implementation of educational activities on the introduction of civic and multicultural education among the youth of Ukraine.
Project description
The civic and parliamentary education of children and youth in the country needs considerable support and development.
The aim of the project is to raise students' awareness of parliamentarism, the role and functions of the Verkhovna Rada and people's deputies, and build civic competence of primary and secondary school students through the creation of a pilot network of 5 interactive parliamentary outreach centers in the regions.
Objectives of the project: creation of a pilot network of 5 interactive parliamentary education centers for students of elementary and secondary schools in 5 pilot cities; development of a package of educational and methodological materials for work with students in these centers and educational institutions in general, conducting trainings for assistants of MPs, teachers, representatives of public organizations in the field of civic and parliamentary education.
Project geography: Ternopil, Odessa, Zhytomyr, Kryvyi Rih, Cherkasy
Volyn Law School
PROJECT “Accessibly about Parliamentarism”
Project dates and period
1/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
The NGO Volyn Law School has the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of organization creation - 2017.
The organization brings together more than 150 members from Volyn, Rivne and Lviv regions. One third of the members are representatives of the legal profession, who have emerged as professionals in their field, and 2/3 are students of the law departments of Volyn region.
Volyn Law School NGO operates on the basis of transparency, efficiency and professional competence.
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The technical support of the work of the organization is based on the own contributions of the founders of the organization, who, if necessary, can raise funds from the members of the organization as voluntary contributions of the members of the Organization. The organization receives annual voluntary contributions from members of the organization. Also, for the effective implementation of the statutory activity, the founders provide the necessary funding for the activities.
In particular, over the course of 2018-2019, more than 40 mini-trainings for students on legal education were conducted by the NGO. The founders of the Organization, with well-known experience of participation in projects, successfully and effectively implemented microprojects within the Volyn region.
Project description
The project is aimed at raising awareness of young people, journalists of regional and local media about the parliamentary system in Ukraine, developing the interaction of youth, media with MPs”.
The main goal is to increase the level of motivation of young people (voters) to participate in solving socio-economic problems of communities, different social groups and the state in particular.
Over the last two years, there has been no large-scale research in Ukraine on youth participation in political processes and representation of their interests as voters. Therefore, the organization plans to carry out a sociological study “Parliament through the eyes of the youth: visions and expectations”, the results of which will become the basis for the development of new forms of work of MPs and youth.
The project envisages systematic training of a group of young people aged 18-25, which includes trainings, an introductory tour to the Prylissnenska Territorial Community, constant communication with the MPs who have expressed support for this initiative and their assistants.
Project geography: Volyn region
Rivne Regional Organization of Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Civic Network “OPORA”
PROJECT “MP from A to Z”
Project dates and period
01/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
OPORA / Rivne Civic Network has the status of a non-profit organization.
Main activities of the OPORA Civic Network:
• education reform in Ukraine - development and validation of mechanisms for integrated public observation of external independent evaluation (EEAS) in and induction campaign to higher education institutions, at all stages of the process. USAID RADA Y7 Annual Report, January 01, 2020 – March 31, 2020 Page 31
• development of public control and capacity building of watchdog organizations in Ukraine.
• election monitoring - providing comprehensive long-term monitoring and analysis of the election process and programmatic activities of political parties in Ukraine.
• development of local communities - dissemination and implementation of successful models and models of functioning of local communities within the Ukrainian network, exchange of experience of community work.
Project description
The purpose of the project is to raise voters' awareness of the authority and role of the MPs by conducting an assessment of the work of the MPs and creating on-line tools for systematic information on the activity and decisions made by the MPs.
The project is intended to evaluate the activities of nine majoritarian MPs of the target areas. It is worth noting that the set of activities planned by the OPORA (monitoring and awareness- raising measures in the regions, preparation of regular reports on the work of the Verkhovna Rada, online tools) is designed to systematically inform citizens about the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the work of individual parliamentarians, the work of their offices directly in the field. Given the high level of digitalization of society, it is also proposed to develop an online tool for getting information on the activities of majoritarian MPs quickly and promptly.
Project geography: Rivne, Transcarpathian, Kharkiv regions
Vinnytsya Euroclubs Association
PROJECT "Sustainable Interaction of Communities with Teams of MPs of Ukraine"
Project dates and period
01/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
NGO Vinnytsa Euroclubs Association has the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of foundation - 2011.
The board of the Association includes 10 people, including the Deputy Department of Education and Science of the Vinnytsa Regional State Administration, school directors, and Euroclub coordinators.
The foundation for the Association was established in 2007 by a network of school Euroclubs, which operated in schools in all districts of the region. Today, the Euroclub network in Vinnitsa region is about 120 Euroclubs. These include those that operate on the basis of district professional unions of educators. Considering that the Association was created for educational activities among students, students and teachers, the main focus of their work was educational and information projects. Over time, the Association's team decided to actively involve local and
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regional council members to participate in projects. All this was done to establish better and closer interaction of deputies with residents of communities.
Project description
The purpose of the project is to develop an effective toolkit for the cooperation of communities of 8 districts of Vinnytsia region with teams of MPs of the Verkhovna Rada, which will help MPs to make quality decisions on the basis of constant interaction with voters.
Objectives: To develop tools that will ensure a constant and close relationship between the community and the MP’s teams, identify and analyze the problems of the communities of the district (individual territories, social and professional groups, etc.), involvement of public activists, communal institutions, state structures, NGOs, etc. to joint activities and will allow to form a wide pyramidal team of the MP with mechanisms of mentoring and support, and also to save the MP and members of his team from professional burnout.
Project geography: 8 districts of Vinnytsia region (Vinnytsia (2 districts), Zhmerynka, Kalinivka, Kryzhopil, Tulchyn, Pogrebyshche, Khmilnyk, Trostyanets)
Lviv Regional Organization of Ukrainian Non-Governmental Organization "Civic Network" OPORA
PROJECT “Regional agenda for MPs”
Project dates and period
01/15/2020 – 05/31/2020 (4.5 months)
Institutional information
OPORA / Lviv Civic Network has the status of a non-profit organization.
Year of foundation - 2007.
Main activities of the OPORA Civic Network:
• education reform in Ukraine - development and validation of mechanisms for integrated public observation of external independent evaluation (EEAS) in and induction campaign to higher education institutions, at all stages of the process.
• development of public control and capacity building of watchdog organizations in Ukraine.
• election monitoring - providing comprehensive long-term monitoring and analysis of the election process and programmatic activities of political parties in Ukraine.
• development of local communities - dissemination and implementation of successful models and models of functioning of local communities within the Ukrainian network, exchange of experience of community work.
Project description
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Today, both in the relevant legislation and at the level of the everyday practice of parliamentary work, there are no effective and sustainable mechanisms that would allow representatives of public administration bodies, local interest groups and different categories of voters to articulate regional problems and to coordinate among themselves priorities that need a legislative solution.
Therefore, the project is aimed at testing the mechanism of communication of MPs with different groups of voters in the field (public administration bodies, NGOs, industry interest groups) in the process of drafting the regional political agenda of the legislative initiatives of the MPs (in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions). The project envisages, through various consultative instruments, to collect from the key target groups of the local level proposals on the political priorities of the individual regions (Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions); to agree on different positions and expectations in the format of open discussions (forums) with the participation of all stakeholders and to prepare and present regional Roadmaps for legislative initiatives.
Project geography: Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk region
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