Corruption remains a serious obstacle for economic growth, social cohesion, and political stability in Ukraine. While anti-corruption legislation has improved, its enforcement is rather slow and priority is given to prevention and combatting corruption involving public officials. So far, much less attention has been given to corruption involving business. Awareness about business integrity needs to be enhanced both in the public and in the private sectors.

In January and February 2017, UNDP and civil society organization "MART" are organizing a series of eight regional trainings on human rights based approach (HRBA). The workshops are meant for sub-national civil society organizations and have the purpose to build their capacity to apply HRBA in their work.

Political philosopher Mykhailo Minakov discussed with Hromadske's Nataliya Gumenyuk a recent UNDP survey made in conjunction with the International Institute of Sociology, outlining the three elements of civility in Ukraine: Civic knowledge, participation in civic practices, and values.

UNDP's Democratic Governance Advisor in Ukraine Marcus Brand reflects on what is needed to re-establish trust between citizens and their institutions: a long-term partnership for local-area development and social mobilization. Reforms are not an end in themselves, but must lead to tangible benefits for the people of Ukraine in terms of well-being, equality and justice.

Blerta Cela, Deputy Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine, takes stock of progress Ukraine has made and challenges still ahead with protecting human rights. Working with government institutions, law enforcers, the Ombudsperson and civil society, UNDP helps citizens protect and promote their rights – but more still needs to be done.

Paris, 7-9 December 2016 – The 4th Global Summit of the Open Government Partnership was held. The Summit gathered 3 thousand representatives from more than 70 countries: heads of states and governments, ministers, civil servants, public figures, representatives of local self-government, researchers, and journalists who shared their experience, discussed the challenges, and looked for ways to further promote the ideas of governance openness and transparency.