Ukraine

People in Need (PIN) has been working in Ukraine since 2003. Its projects are focused on supporting civil society initiatives, journalists and human rights activists.

Currently, our main focus is to strengthen the capacities and effectiveness of local civil initiatives in monitoring the work of local government in terms of their compatibility with human rights in order to ensure good governance and facilitate democratic reforms in Ukraine. Working together with local partners, PIN has established 5 watchdog centres in 5 municipalities across Ukraine and launched the Network of watchdog centres. The centres systematically monitor the functioning of decision-making processes at local government level, compliance with open-door principles with respect to citizens and with other civil participation standards.

PIN also continues to support lawyers and activists who we were previously working closely with at various legal counselling offices in Crimea. Many of these people have since had to leave the peninsula and are now providing legal advice to internal refugees, as well as giving online or telephone counselling to people who remained in Crimea.