The discussion that unfolded in the public space of Ukraine, after the suspension of USAID assistance for three months, highlighted a number of problems.
First of all, low public awareness of the activities of public organizations. The belief that good deeds always speak for themselves turned out to be too wrong. USAID assistance concerned various areas of activity - medicine, education, transparency of the authorities, as well as energy efficiency, environmental protection, support for independent media, development of public institutions, etc.
After all, a strong civil society is one of the foundations of a strong independent state. And reducing the activities of NGOs to conferences, trainings, "round tables" is a too simplified approach. But these activities are also needed for healthy discussions, exchange of experiences and opinions, establishing contacts and creating partnerships. I remember how the participants of the first project in Ukraine from the public budget, which was then supported by the PAUCI Foundation, themselves asked the donor for a joint conference in order to better see and analyze what happened and what did not?
For some reason, those who now write about "grantoids" forgot how in the first weeks of the great war it was public activists who delivered the first humanitarian aid, including to the Chernihiv region - food, medicine, basic necessities, and this was also with the support of international organizations, our grantors, with whom partner contacts were established. They were eager to support Ukraine and Ukrainians in their struggle.
Nothing weakens our country like internal contradictions. And this is skillfully used by the enemy, undermining and destabilizing Ukraine, destroying trust in themselves. Therefore, this situation not only requires analysis, but also the response of public organizations themselves, which should more powerfully and loudly talk about themselves and their activities using various communication channels.
Anna Nikolenko-Baeva, head of the NGO "Association for Democratic Development."