Since October 2015, the 'Ombudsman Plus' platform has conducted the public monitoring of the access to public information in all regions of Ukraine with the support of UNDP's Strengthening Capacities of the Ombudsperson's Office Project. Civic activists studied the following issues: work of departments and/or officials responsible for providing public information, availability of information on financial resources of local authorities and local governments, access to the participation in municipal councils' meetings, and provision of information on request.

The Media Law Institute has selected and trained civil activists to become monitors in all regions of Ukraine. Experts developed a methodology for the monitoring, provided the monitors with legal advice, and coordinated their activity. The presentation of the monitoring's key findings and recommendations will be held in May.

During the meeting, Mr. Taras Shevchenko, the Media Law Institute's Director, noted that this May marks 5 years of the entry into force of the Law on Access to Public Information. He added that an example of its implementation shows how the country has changed.

"The struggle for the access to information is difficult, but thanks to joint efforts, we see real change. The fight for the openness of information on the ground depends greatly on your efforts," Taras Shevchenko underlined in his welcoming remarks.

The Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on the right to the access to public information, Ms. Iryna Kushnir, emphasized that the Office of the Ombudsperson praised the work of the Media Law Institute's team and civic monitors of the 'Ombudsman Plus' platform.

"The Ombudsperson's annual report for 2015 includes key findings of the monitoring of the Law on Access to Public Information at the subnational level, conducted by the 'Ombudsman Plus' platform. As civic monitor, you raised a topical issue and achieved positive changes," Iryna Kushnir said.