In 2012, the Government of Ukraine adopted the national plan on implementing the principles of the Partnership, and along with NGO representatives established a special Coordination Council.

During the very first year of its participation in the initiative, Ukraine succeeded in increasing the level of openness and transparency of the Government.

Positive developments included the approval of legislation on NGOs, charitable foundations, and on peaceful social gatherings.

 The Law “On Access to the Public Information” not only simplified the public access to official information, but also forced all government institutions to operate in a more open and transparent way. The official authorities have already provided information in response to 60,000 inquiries, and have made public 230,000 documents.

The background of candidates for public offices is now checked for previous infringements of anticorruption laws.

Regional programs on prevention and fight against corruption have been put in place by 20 regional Administrations.

The way how administrative services are provided (issuing licenses, certificates, permits to individuals and entities) has improved as well. The main achievement in this area is the creation of a pilot version of the Integrated State Portal of Administrative Services and 24/7 Government Phone Reference for providing informational assistance. Since the beginning of 2013, 110 centers of administrative services have already been opened in Ukraine, and their number will definitely increase.

The technologies of e-governance and e-democracy are being actively implemented. There are plans to recognize the legal status of documents signed digitally.

Within the Open Government Partnership initiative, the Government of Ukraine has defined the improvement of communication of central and local state agencies with the public as a priority, which will contribute to further strengthening the foundations of an open and democratic society. 

Image: state.gov