A new chapter in the Norwegian Helsinki Committee’s longstanding work with Ukraine’s civil society has begun. We have long believed that grassroots movements in Ukraine have been the driving force behind reforms and resilience in the country, despite political instability, corruption, and more than a decade of war. Civil society holds the key to the country’s democratic future. Now, with support from Norad, we are enhancing these efforts through the Nansen Programme.
The Norwegian Parliament unanimously supported the massive aid effort for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The goal is to ensure that Ukraine remains a democratic and independent country built on principles of human rights, equality, and justice. Through the Nansen Programme, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and our Ukrainian partners will work together to build the capacity of the country’s civil society and empower their ability to drive change from the grassroots level.
We are proud to join a programme that supports Ukraine’s already strong civil society. Civil society plays a crucial role in building a democratic future for Ukraine. Especially as the nation resists the Russian invasion and endures the challenges of war.
Secretary General, Berit Lindeman
Kick off in Krakow
In January, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and several of our partners gathered in Krakow to mark the start of the project Ukraine: Strengthening Democracy through Civil Society and to plan the way forward. Present were several leading civil society organisations, including the Centre for Civil Liberties (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2022), Bihus Info (anti-corruption and investigative journalism), Insight (LGBTIQ-rights), and JurFem (women’s rights). Norwegian partners include the Association of NGOs in Norway and the Human Rights Academy. Other partners from Ukraine and Norway are PEN Ukraine, the Norwegian Non-fiction Writers and Translators Association, the Norwegian Authors’ Union, and AutoMaidan.
The meeting in Krakow marked the beginning of a process to combine experiences, insights, and resources to strengthen local leadership and grassroots initiatives in Ukraine.
Why is this important now?
The war in Ukraine is the largest military conflict on European soil since the Second World War. For Norway, Europe, and the world, Ukraine must succeed—not only in pushing back the invasion forces but also in continuing to develop a strong and inclusive democracy. For many years, civil society has been the greatest driving force for positive change in Ukraine. Supporting their efforts has never been more important than it is today.
What does the project involve?
Over the next three years, the project will:
- Strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian civil society organisations through training and skills development.
- Support initiatives led by small and medium-sized civil society organisations.
- Promote human rights and democratic reforms through advocacy, conferences, and networking events.
- Support authors of both fiction and non-fiction literature.
- Combat corruption, abuse of power, and social inequality.
Laying the foundation for the future
With experience in Ukraine dating back to the 1990s, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee has witnessed the incredible strength and competence of the country’s many diverse grassroots organisations. Together with our Ukrainian partners, who are already leaders in their fields, we will continue to build on the foundation they have laid over many years.