PrismUA

UkraineDigest Issue 3 (3) , 2015

Iuliia Serbina, Head of Social- DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL ELECTIONS: ANOTHER Political Programmes, NGO “Promotion of Intercultural Cooperation”, Master of Political HUGE CHALLENGE FOR UKRAINE Science. Previously worked It is our pleasure to present the third piece of in Ukraine as it has to transform all the systems in the National Institute for the digest “Prism.UA” is time we focus on two of relations between authorities and Ukrainian Strategic Studies. very sensitive domestic issues in Ukraine. e citizens at the grassroots level. is multifaceted decentralisation reform and the local election process a ects many areas: education, healthcare, process are closely interconnected and therefore social and cultural sphere, housing, communal Iurii Vdovenko, Steering legitimately share the space in this publication. services, construction, administrative services, Committee member of the budget, taxation, law enforcement, land, forest, Ukraininan national platform Local elections which are currently underway in and water management, electoral process, self- of EaP CSF, associate professor Ukraine cause some concerns inside the country organisation of population, etc. in the National and within the international community. Against Technological University the backdrop of the necessity to reset the local Dramatic events that accompanied the voting governance level formed back in 2010 under concerning decentralisation amendments to the Yanukovich, there are still some problems to be Constitution of Ukraine clearly indicate that seriously addressed. today this is one of the most controversial reforms not least due to the very sensitive question of e electoral system adopted by the Verkhovna the process of self-governance in the occupied Rada of Ukraine is far from being ideal in terms of territories of the Donbass region. At the same participatory democracy and is highly criticised time this reform is central to the o cial agenda by experts. Another concern is the real authority of Ukrainian authorities and a lot of e orts have of the regional and local councils. Taking into been put to achieve a progress. You can read about consideration that the decentralisation reform the current state of play and what else has to be is in full sway it is very likely that the mandate done in the article of Iuri Vdovenko, expert on the resulting from the upcoming elections will be decentralisation process in Ukraine. According contracted to two years. Iuliia Serbina, expert of the to him, among the priorities key to the actual international project “Ukrainian Peace-Building implementation of the reform, there should be an School”, argues that despite all the shortcomings excellent level of communication, openness, and interaction with all stakeholders and the public. of this electoral process, there are opportunities for new political forces to prepare for the national elections and full-scale participation in political Hennadiy Maksak, co-editor of digest “Prism.UA”, CONTENTS life once the decentralisation is in process. Coordinator of the FP expert network “Ukrainian prism” 1 DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL e decentralisation reform is one of the crucial Vytautas Keršanskas, co-editor of digest ELECTIONS: ANOTHER HUGE aspects of the future of the democratisation process “Prism.UA”, Analyst at the Eastern Europe Studies Centre CHALLENGE FOR UKRAINE 1 LOCAL ELECTIONS 2015: SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE LOCAL ELECTIONS 2015: SPECIFIC FEATURES OF THE CAMPAIGN AND RISKS FOR THE POLITICAL SYSTEM CAMPAIGN AND RISKS FOR THE Iuliia Serbina POLITICAL SYSTEM 5 Local , despite the limited of citizens’ trust in the political system as a powers of the councils to be elected (those whole and also re ect the ability of the ruling DECENTRALISATION IN powers are regulated by the Law on Local Self- party or governmental coalition to control the UKRAINE: QUO VADIS? Government of Ukraine), serve as an indicator political process in the country. e councils 1 Issue 3 (3), 2015

elected at the local elections in 2010, with their the newly formed political forces. anks to majority taken up by representatives of the then the availability of  nancial and media resources Current local councils ruling and their allies (with (nation-wide 1+1 TV channel and regional no longer re ected the the exception of some regions of Ukraine), mass media in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), the transformation of political completed the process of creating the so-called party pursues an aggressive campaigning style, processes taking place “vertical structure of power” (this is how this trying to occupy the niche of moderately right- in Ukraine on the post- process was characterised by its ideologues, wing voters disillusioned with the e ectiveness Euromaidan wave and the ignoring the principles of local self-government). of the policies of Ukrainian President Petro emergence of new social Current local councils no longer re ected the Poroshenko and using local elections to raise transformation of political processes taking and political movements problems, the solution of which is not within place in Ukraine on the post-Euromaidan wave the competence of local councils (in particular, and forces. and the emergence of new social and political the country’s transition to a contracted army). movements and forces (volunteer organisations, Given the role of the Privat Group in preserving public order protection organisations, new the integrity of the country and preventing the youth organisations and political parties, and spread of separatism in the spring of 2014, as also the elimination of individual parties that well as its contribution to the development of have a long history). e need to hold local volunteer battalions, Ukrop has a very good elections simultaneously with the parliamentary chance of receiving mandates in local councils in elections in the autumn of 2014 was debated those areas that represent a certain “bu er zone” a er the election of the President of Ukraine that separates regions of con ict from the rest in May 2014; however, the argument against a of the country (its base Dnipropetrovsk Oblast simultaneous electoral process was that the new as well as the , Zaporizhia, Poltava, electoral law, which was supposed to overcome Kherson, Mykolayiv, and Odesa Oblasts). the shortcomings of the majoritarian component of the mixed (majoritarian-proportional) e right-wing and centrist niche in the local electoral system used for local elections in elections are presented by the presidential party 2010, was not prepared yet. During 2014–2015, Petro Poroshenko Bloc (Solidarity) and the non-governmental experts as well as deputies Batkivshchyna Party (which remains the party elected at the early parliamentary elections in with the longest election history and ideology in 2014 worked on the dra law on local elections. the current electoral cycle). For Batkivshchyna, is dra law would re ect the dynamics of the the local elections provide a chance to increase processes taking place in Ukraine and overcome voter con dence in its leader Yulia Tymoshenko the shortcomings of the existing electoral a er her defeat in the presidential election of system. However, an absolutely di erent version 2014. of the law was proposed for the parliamentary vote: it looks like a compromise between the e transformed Party of Regions, which served political forces represented in the Parliament as the base for a number of parties supported (in particular, the presidential political party by the protest electorate of the southern and Petro Poroshenko Bloc, the Batkivshchyna eastern regions, has a very good chance of [Fatherland] party, and individual deputies getting seats on local councils. e Opposition from the Samopomich [Self-Reliance] party). Bloc is the leading party within this segment; the activities of the Vidrodzhennya () Political forces on the eve of local elections: party are somewhat smaller in scope (however, Brief view in a city as big as Dnipropetrovsk the party has a chance of its candidate proceeding at least to the During the year preceding the local elections of second round of the mayoral elections). 2015, the party system of Ukraine underwent some transformation. A number of political In western regions of Ukraine, the Samopomich movements that grew from volunteer (Self-Reliance) party led by the the Mayor of Lviv, organisations engaged in matters related to Andrii Sadovyi, is very likely to get a majority. displaced persons, aid to the Ukrainian army, and volunteer battalions were registered as political e election campaign of Samopomich is also parties. A movement that had engaged in civic largely focused on solving nationwide Ukrainian educational activities during Euromaidan (the problems. e Svoboda (Freedom) political Syla Lyudey [the Power of People] Party) also party, which had a majority of seats in the local intensi ed their activities. However, the majority councils of Western Ukraine, has lost signi cant of the newly formed political forces do not ground due to the low e ciency of its members have su cient resources to win local elections in solving local issues. because of low awareness among voters and limited time resources to build such awareness. e so-called regional parties occupy a separate Ukrop (the Ukrainian Association of Patriots), niche. eir purpose is to retain their place in representing the political positions of the Privat policy by the virtue of some regional leaders who Business Group, stands out signi cantly from have in uence in certain districts and oblasts 2 Issue 3 (3), 2015

(the Nash Kray [Our Land] party led by Anton Council of Europe) regarding the strengthening Kisse, whose campaign is not limited to the of the electoral process in Ukraine, the authors of Despite the existing Odesa Oblast, despite the fact that initially the the Law on Local Elections of Ukraine took into public demand for the emphasis was on the participation of national consideration only the issue of gender quotas. renewal of elites and minorities in the political life of the region and e law provides for a quota of at least 30% probable sporadic country). e Doveryay Delam (Trust Deeds) of one gender in the electoral list. At the same success stories of new political party is lead by the Mayor of Odessa, time, no sanctions for ignoring this principle candidates, most voters Gennady Truhanov, and was created for the are provided for (yet, some political forces have will support the ruling purpose of publicly showing separation from already  led statements of claim in the court party (Petro Poroshenko the Party of Regions, whose faction in Odessa with the Central Election Commission, which Bloc (Solidarity), City Council had been headed by Truhanov. permitted the registration of political parties Batkivshchyna, and that ignored the compliance with the quota, Ukrop. Speci c features of the 2015 local election and acting as the defendant). risks for the political system e law re ects the political will regarding ese are the  rst elections of authorities in the the return of the occupied territories because post-Euromaidan period. It should be noted it lays down the procedure for holding that the political context in which the elections elections in the Autonomous Republic of will be held is, to a certain extent, dictated by Crimea. In addition, the law is aligned with the occupation of Crimea and armed con ict the package of the decommunisation laws in the Donbass. e impossibility of holding adopted in April 2015: Local organisations of elections in the occupied territories controlled political parties, which have their registration by separatists Donetsk People’s Republic certi cate liquidated because of their activities (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) aimed at propaganda of totalitarian or Nazi as well as in Crimea rules out the principle of past, are not allowed to participate in local universal su rage. Elections to local councils elections. Accordingly, the Communist Party in the liberated territories of the Donetsk and will not participate in local elections. At the Luhansk Oblasts also require additional security same time, this fact does not prevent those assurance measures. It is quite di cult today deputies who represent this political force on to envisage the possibility of holding elections the local councils of the current convocation in the occupied territories of the Donetsk to stand in the lists of other political forces. and Luhansk Oblasts as presented in the dra of Morell Plan published in the media ( e e Law on Local Elections establishes three elements of a temporary law on local elections types of electoral systems: the majority system in some districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk of absolute majority in the elections of mayors Oblasts developed by the political subgroup of in those cities where the number of voters the trilateral Contact Group). Consideration exceeds 90,000 people; the majority system of should be given to the fact that, in violation of simple majority – for those settlements where this paragraph of the Minsk Agreements, local the number of voters is less than 90,000 people. council elections were announced to be held at Up until 2015 elections in the large cities of the territory of DPR and LPR on October 18. Ukraine were mostly won by candidates with However, the decision of separatist leaders to considerable  nancial, media, or administrative postpone local elections to 2016 shows that local resource. While they o en gained 20–30% of elections at the occupied territories are rather the votes, today there is a high probability of a the matter of a broader negotiation process. second round of voting in elections of mayors, since the use of such resources does not guarantee e fact that Ukraine has 1.5 million internally victory in the  rst round. e probability of a displaced persons, whose right to participate second round of voting in mayoral elections is in the vote is in no way re ected in the Law on especially high in those cities where two or more Local Elections, is a direct consequence of the candidates with impressive resources stand for occupation of Crimea and parts of the Donetsk such posts. In particular, it is almost certain that and Luhansk Oblasts. Despite the availability of there will be a second round of voting in the the dra law developed by community experts, mayoral elections in Odesa, Kiev, Kharkiv, and which would allow displaced persons to realise Dnipropetrovsk. the active right to vote, it can be predicted that it will not be adopted before the elections to be e mixed proportional system, which the held on October 25. Ukrainian legislator publicly calls “the system of open lists”, rather demonstrates the features Innovations of the Law on Local Elections of of the proportional system. It should be noted Ukraine (and it is also stated in the OSCE/ODIHR needs assessment mission report) that this system In implementing the recommendations of has nothing in common with open lists. In international institutions (OSCE/ODIHR; the accordance with the law, a party is entitled to 3 Issue 3 (3), 2015

nominate zero to four candidates in a district. In Ministry of Internal A airs of Ukraine, from Despite all the this case the ballot paper will contain the name the o cial start of the electoral process (5–25 of the leader of the list, who is o ered to voters September) 25 criminal cases concerning the shortcomings of the for electing. If other candidates (whom the party violation of electoral rights of citizens have adopted the law there might not nominate in a particular district) gain already been instituted. is, however, does not are opportunities for more votes than their competitors, but the party guarantee their completion, transfer to court, new political forces to they represent fails to overcome the electoral and rendering of a judicial decision. In Ukraine, prepare for the national threshold, the candidate will not be deemed to courts of di erent levels and of di erent elections and full-scale have been elected. Since the new version of the territorial jurisdiction o en take radically participation in political law eliminates the principle of self-nomination di erent decisions in similar cases. Following life can be used. at elections to district, city, and oblast councils, the results of the parliamentary elections held in it signi cantly limits the possibility to exercise 2014, the Ministry of Internal A airs instituted passive su rage and makes candidates heavily more than 450 criminal proceedings, of which dependent on party a liation. 242 have been completed.

Raising the election barrier from 3% to 5% Instead of conclusions makes it almost impossible for political forces created during the post-Euromaidan Given the complexity of the combination of transformations to succeed in the elections. di erent electoral systems in di erent local Despite the fact that a few initiatives of the civil authorities within the framework of one society have undergone institutionalisation and electoral process as well as the frequency of were registered in the Ministry of Justice of elections in Ukraine, it is possible to predict a Ukraine as political parties and could win seats reduced turnout of voters in the forthcoming in local councils if they pursue active election local elections. A decrease in the level of campaigns (the Syla Lyudey Party and the citizens’ trust in elections as an institution can Democratic Alliance), such political parties are be predicted with a high degree of probability. prevented from entering local councils by the Following this trend, reinforced by the passivity raising of the electoral barrier, the impossibility of the political culture in small settlements, of self-nomination, and the lack of  nancial there is a high probability that representatives resources for putting down the deposit and of political forces who secured the majority conducting the election campaign. in local councils in 2010 will strengthen their positions. Despite the existing public demand Certain norms of the Law on Local Elections for the renewal of elites and probable sporadic implicitly contribute to the introduction of success stories of new candidates, most voters the “imperative mandate”. In particular, they will support the ruling party (Petro Poroshenko provide for the possibility to deprive a deputy of Bloc (Solidarity), Batkivshchyna, and Ukrop. his mandate by a decision of the party if, within In those oblasts where regional parties are a year a er the election, signatures of voters active, they can be expected to gain seats in [demanding so] are collected in the district in district councils. As to oblast and city councils, a number not less than the number of votes cast the likelihood of overcoming the 5% barrier is for the candidate. not uniform. e will take a separate position and will have to be reckoned e procedure of the formation of election with by the ruling party when making decisions. commissions, in accordance with which the At the same time, taking into account the serious subjects of the nomination have the possibility debate within the parliamentary coalition, the to withdraw their candidacies at any time, local elections for some of the biggest political endanger the presence of a quorum for making forces are not so much a chance of gaining decisions on the day of election. votes in local councils as the possibility to retain electoral dividends in the event of early Media continue to re ect the viewpoints of their parliamentary elections. owners. A signi cant innovation is the fact that the legislator has obliged the media to publish It is obvious that elections as a democratic data of sociological surveys with indication of institution in Ukraine need substantial reforms the customer, the date of the survey, the exact and strengthening of democratic practices for wording of the questions, and the time and venue transition to participatory democracy. Despite of the survey, which reduces the possibilities of all the shortcomings of the adopted the law “shaping sociology”. there are opportunities for new political forces to prepare for the national elections and full- A signi cant drawback endangering the scale participation in political life can be used. observance of the principle of universal su rage Considering the decentralisation reform and is the lack of e ective practices of the application the process of local communities association of sanctions for violation of the electoral the next two years elections in newly formed legislation. In particular, since, according to the communities will be held. is process may 4 Issue 3 (3), 2015 help the local leaders to implement initiatives rights of internally displaced people need leading to the necessary changes. special attention.

e strengthening of democratic institutions e role of state and local authorities in their requires from Ukraine to respect its rea diness to consider recommendations of international obligations in civic and political non-governmental experts remains extremely rights. In particular, as in every post-con ict important. society, the protection and promotion of the

DECENTRALISATION IN UKRAINE: QUO VADIS? Yuri Vdovenko

e decentralisation reform is one of the also allowed to protect the country against most comprehensive reforms in Ukraine. It centrifugal tendencies, because it eliminated the consists not only of the reformation of the idea of federalisation promoted by some anti- territorial organisation of power and the Ukrainian forces. e decentralisation reform devolution of authority and resources to local has high chances of implementing a balanced self-governments. e changes a ect almost system of public administration. However, it is all areas of public life: education, healthcare, also associated with considerable risks because social and cultural sphere, housing, communal it may signi cantly increase the level of local services, construction, administrative services, debt and corruption, as well as lead to  nancial budget, taxation, law enforcement, land, forest, vulnerability. and water management, electoral process, self- organisation of population, etc. A common vision of the reform is presented e choice of a decentralisation model for in the o cial document – the “Concept of Ukraine can be seen as a worldview choice the Reform of Local Self-Government and because it symbolises the rejection of the Territorial Organisation of Power in Ukraine”, “Asian” form of government with a conditional which was approved more than a year ago (on Sultan with unity of command in favour of a 1 April 2014). e  rst dra of the Concept European democracy based on the European was developed by the Ministry of Regional Charter of Local Self-Government. e system Development as early as in 2011 and received of state governance that has formed in Ukraine a generally positive opinion, including that of over the years of independence is a “mix” of the the Centre of Expertise for Local Government remnants of the Soviet system, Anglo-Saxon and Reform under the Council of Europe and continental models with elements of the Iberian Directorate General of Democracy and one and is characterised by the ine ciency of Political A airs. e action plan provides for most state institutions. e  rst attempts of the amendments to the Constitution, development reform in Ukraine date back to 1998. However, of a number of legislative acts, adjustment of the the turning point in the transition from a system of administrative-territorial structure centralised to a decentralised system was the and its modelling, and public awareness e orts. Revolution of Dignity when it became apparent As of today, around 10 legislative acts have been that concentration of power in the same hands adopted by the of Ukraine poses a real threat to the existence of the in the ful lment of the tasks of the Concept. independent state. Certain steps for  scal and tax decentralisation have been taken. e Law on Voluntary e ongoing decentralisation reform is a Consolidation of Territorial Communities Ukrainian product based on the European and the Law on Cooperation of Territorial experience. Since the beginning of its Communities have been adopted. Oblast implementation, the Polish model has served administrations, with the support of informal as the basis. As a consequence, the basic idea o ces of reforms set up in each oblast, have is a substantial expansion of the powers of developed the Perspective Plans of Territories territorial communities. It is at the community of the United Communities (as of today, only level where the provision of high-quality and 2 oblasts have not yet approved them). e accessible administrative and social services, process of uni cation of communities is actually establishment of institutions of democracy, taking place. satisfaction of interests of citizens, and coordination of interests of state and local Also, the Law on the Fundamentals of State governments should be ensured. Regional Policy was adopted, which resulted in the involvement of European regional is approach, among other things, has development mechanisms in Ukraine. e law 5 Issue 3 (3), 2015

that granted local self-governments the right to among others, by the votes of the parliament independently determine their urban planning members who were directly associated with The ongoing decentralisa- policy entered into force on 1 September. In the former government (the Opposition Bloc, tion reform is a Ukrainian addition, the new Law on Local Elections was Vidrodzhennya [Revival], Volya Narodu [the product based on the Eu- adopted. A number of laws on decentralisation Will of the People], and non-a liated parliament ropean experience. Since of authority and the regulation of land relations members) and caused serious disagreement in the beginning of its im- are next on the agenda. Four dra laws, which the ruling coalition. plementation, the Polish will allow decentralising the provision of basic model has served as the administrative services, have passed the  rst e vote caused a massive outcry in the society basis. reading; the dra law on municipal guard has and expert circles, dividing public opinion been developed. into polar groups ranging from full support of the actions of the authorities to accusations of The end of the summer On the other hand, citizens and local authorities treason. In all fairness, it should be noted that was marked in Ukraine have signi cant expectations, which do not the protests were caused not only by the contents with heightened interest coincide to a great extent with the o cial of the dra law, but also by the process of its in decentralisation re- document. Neither in society nor in political development. In particular, the style of work form. This was due to the circles is there consensus regarding support and the level of openness of the Constitutional fact that it was undergo- for the model being implemented and the Commission can hardly be named among the ing a “next stage” associ- underlying dra laws of the reform have still best democratic standards. ated with voting by the not been submitted for public discussion. Parliament for amending Consequently, stakeholders o en lack an However, the most tragic events took place the Constitution. understanding of both the logic of process and outside the walls of the Verkhovna Rada, where speci c implementation tasks. three soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine were killed in the clashes between protesters and e progress of the reform is evaluated the police. Minister of Internal A airs Arsen di erently. e National Council of Reforms Avakov, without waiting for the conclusions of considers that the level of the implementation the investigation, hot on the heels of the events, of tasks within the framework of the reform accused the Svoboda (Freedom) Party and reaches 55% (notably, this is one of the highest its leader Oleh Tyahnybok of the incident. In rates in comparison with other reforms). One of contrast to this accusation, opinions were heard the recent opinion surveys conducted by the IRI of “provocations of special services” and “the (International Republican Institute) con rms Russian trace”. general support for the reform by the majority of Ukrainians; however, 67% believe that central Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner government should devolve more rights to the for European Neighbourhood Policy and local level. However, only 3% of Ukrainians are Enlargement Negotiations, in connection with satis ed with the current pace of reforms, while these events, expressed his hope that “a er the 40% of respondents think that no changes are outbreak of violence, which, unfortunately, made and 32% are dissatis ed with their slow happened, the further process will take place progress. peacefully. Decentralisation has key importance for further democratic transformation of the e end of the summer was marked in Ukraine country, its modernisation and improvement of with heightened interest in decentralisation public administration”. reform. is was due to the fact that it was undergoing a “next stage” associated with In respect of the above, it should be noted voting by the Parliament for amending the that Ukraine is not completely independent Constitution. e main innovations o ered in making these decisions, although the by the dra law include the introduction of Constitution, as the foundation document for the “Institution of the Prefects”, granting the the existence and functioning of the state, is President the right to dissolve local councils, exclusively a matter of internal policy. and the possibility of a special procedure of local self-government in certain districts of Donetsk Urgent threats of the modern world do not and Luhansk Oblasts. allow acting within usual practices and set requirements for the search for and application of e events that occurred on the day of voting innovative solutions. So, the Minsk Agreements inside and near the Parliament will long remain became one of the elements of the response the object of investigations. of the global community to the aggression of the Russian Federation. Although deprived of At the  rst reading held on 31 August, 265 of a de nite legal status, they serve as a kind of 368 deputies of the Verkhovna Rada voted for roadmap that hinder further escalation of the the adoption of the dra law on amendments situation in Eastern Ukraine. e amendment to the Constitution regarding decentralisation. of the Constitution of Ukraine by the end of e adoption of this dra law was ensured, 2015 was one of the points of the agreement on 6 Issue 3 (3), 2015

the settlement of the situation in the Donbass at the local level, whose role will increase settled in Minsk. As a consequence, in the signi cantly. It should also be mentioned that The key to the actual im- process of amending the Constitution, Ukraine 159 voluntarily united communities from 20 plementation of the re- faced threats both from the Russian Federation oblasts of Ukraine will participate in these form is excellent commu- and pressure from European partners. elections. ese will become a sort of “pilot” nication, openness, and communities and will be the  rst to claim interaction with all stake- At the moment, the future progress of the bene ts of decentralisation. However, a holders and the public the decentralisation reform appears to be serious challenge would be the lack of a proper associated with overcoming new obstacles. legislative framework of their functioning in In the  rst place, there will be an extremely the new reality. Meanwhile, the success of the problematic voting in the second reading newly established communities may become an on [the dra law on] amendments to the example that will inspire other participants of Constitution, which must win 300 votes in the the reform to implement it more actively. Parliament. Only a er that is adoption of key laws that would strengthen the new model of And most importantly, which participants at public administration possible. all levels of the process should understand, the key to the actual implementation of the On 25 October, Ukraine is to hold local elections, reform is excellent communication, openness, which makes the main political actors act quite and interaction with all stakeholders and the cautiously in order not to lose their positions public.

Supported by:

e foreign policy expert network “Ukrainian prism” was launched in 2012 with an aim to participate in decision-making process and shaping of foreign policy agenda in Ukraine. e network unites more than 15 like minded people in Ukraine with strong expertise in political science, economics, diplomacy and international relations. Members of this initiative represent independent think-tanks and promi- nent Ukrainian academic institutions from Kiev, Odessa, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv. Since foundation the experts have issued about 30 policy papers with recommendations concerning relations with neigh- bouring countries, strategic partner states, and international organizations to respective Ukrainian ministries. In 2014 the Network implemented initiative “Ukrainian informational front” focused on awareness-rising campaign within foreign media about Russian aggressive action in Ukraine.

e Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) is a non-governmental, non-pro t organization established TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEXT ISSUE OF in 2006 . General aim is to build civil society and promote democracy in Eastern Europe by monitoring “PRISM UA”, PLEASE CONTACT: and researching political, economic, and social developments in the region, and by developing qualita-

Vytautas Keršanskas tive analyses of them. EESC organizes conferences, seminars, and round-table discussions regarding is- Phone: +370 5 2705993 sues relevant to civil society and democracy; it trains people in areas relevant to its mission; and it also Email.: [email protected] o ers consultations and recommendations to individuals and organizations cooperating with Belarus, EASTERN EUROPE STUDIES CENTRE Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. EESC specializes in the EU Eastern neighborhood policy.

Hennadiy Maksak Phone: +380 462 777 847 Email: genmax@p rs.org Foreign policy expert The content of the articles is the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily re ect the views or policies of network “Ukrainian Prism” the supporters and coordinators. This publication has been produced with  nacial re ect from Development Cooper- tation Programme by the Ministry of Foreign A airs of Lithuania. 7