In the April issue, the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research has collected the main topics that are worth knowing about:
- New opportunities for the development of volunteering in the educational sphere.
- Possibility of using “humanitarian” transport for passenger transportation;
- Online registration of NGOs in Diia.
Adopted legal acts
The President signed a law on the development of volunteering among students
Law 4186-IX will come into force one month after its publication.
What the law is about: The law aims to bring Ukrainian legislation in line with EU standards in the field of volunteering and increase the number of Ukrainians involved in volunteering. The document proposes many changes, including:
- Enshrining the right of volunteers to recognize the competencies acquired during volunteer activities in the manner prescribed for the recognition of non-formal and informal education results;
- Consolidation of the obligation of the head of an educational institution to promote the development of volunteering among participants in the educational process;
- Clarification of the right of a volunteer to include the time of volunteer activity in the period of practice, regardless of the consent of the educational institution;
- Establishing the obligation to document volunteer activities;
- Defining the concept of a motivation letter.
Why it is important: The law promotes volunteering in Ukraine, especially among young people, which is important during the period of martial law. Recognition of the competencies gained during volunteer activities will help attract a broader range of people to volunteer, and the introduction of the obligation of the head of an educational institution to promote a culture of volunteering in the educational process will help systematize this process. The document was developed with the active assistance of the civic sector.
Parliament adopted a law on using vehicles received as humanitarian aid for passenger transportation
The document is now awaiting the President's signature.
What the law is about: The law is a legal basis for municipal enterprises - carriers of motor vehicles and urban electric transport - to act as official recipients of humanitarian aid in the form of cars. The document defines the list of acceptable types of transport that can be recognized as humanitarian aid and prohibits their alienation or transfer to other persons who are not recipients. The mechanism of transfer and further use of such vehicles will be further regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
Why it is important: Adopting this law will significantly simplify transferring vehicles as humanitarian aid for municipal enterprises. This opens up new opportunities for donor programs to support public transport, particularly in the affected regions of Ukraine, where access to stable transportation services is critical for population mobility and the restoration of local infrastructure. This means more buses and trolleybuses on the routes, better accessibility for residents, and stable transportation even under challenging conditions.
The government has launched a pilot project for CSOs` online registration
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a decree approving the model charter and the procedure for conducting a pilot project to ensure the possibility of operating a non-governmental organization based on a model charter. The UCIPR team was actively involved in developing and advocating the resolution at all stages, from consultations with the authorities to communication with the public.
What is the decree about: The document is the legal basis for introducing a new mechanism - online registration of NGOs through the Diia portal - based on a model charter.
For the first time in Ukraine, NGOs can register remotely, without physical presence or paper documents. To do this, you only need to fill out an application in Diia and choose a model charter. This standardized constituent document already contains all the basic introductory provisions for NGO activities: purpose, work areas, organizational structure, rights and obligations of members, sources of funding, reporting, and termination procedures.
The charter does not need to be edited. All changes to the legislation will be made automatically.
Participants of the pilot project can be:
- Citizens of Ukraine who have reached the age of 18 and have an identification code;
- non-governmental organizations with legal status;
- The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine;
- The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and its territorial bodies;
The mechanism is scheduled to be launched on November 1, 2025. The Cabinet of Ministers' decree is part of the strategic course for digitalizing public services and developing civil society.
Why it is important: Online registration of NGOs in Diia opens up several opportunities for the public sector and significantly modernizes its work. In particular, this mechanism:
- Simplifies the life of civic initiatives.
The new mechanism significantly reduces the administrative burden on CSOs — they no longer need to write a charter themselves, contact lawyers, or submit documents in paper form. This allows them to focus on meaningful work rather than bureaucracy.
It will support activists under challenging conditions.
For those who work under occupation or in the frontline areas, as well as for organizations that have lost their documents, online registration is the only way to operate legally. Now they can quickly legalize themselves and apply for grants or enter into contracts without leaving the safety of their homes.
- Reduce the number of mistakes.
The model charter was created in compliance with all legal requirements, meaning the likelihood of registration being denied due to formal errors is minimal.
- Increase trust.
A standardized approach helps organizations appear professional and transparent to state registrars, donors, and international partners.
- It is in line with European approaches.
This initiative is part of Ukraine's European integration course. In its report, the European Commission emphasizes the need to simplify procedures for NGOs as one area of democratic development.
- It strengthens civil society.
The model charter is not just about convenience. It is a tool that will help more people become involved in creating organizations, forming initiatives, and actively participating in public life.
- It creates a level playing field.
This approach is beneficial for small or new initiatives that lack access to resources but want to act openly and responsibly.
- Lays the foundation for scaling.
The mechanism will be tested and improved until 2027. In the future, it may become a regular practice for state registration of CSOs in Ukraine.
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