Changes in civil society begin with advocacy as the main factor of influence. On 26 May 2025, the public association ‘League of the Strong’ organised a training session in Kyiv entitled ‘Advocacy in Action’ for civil society organisations and charitable foundations working with vulnerable groups. Nataliia Povtar, a lawyer specialising in legislation for civil society organisations, spoke about how to build strong advocacy.
“Advocacy works when people fully understand their rights. Making changes and proposals to the agenda will help strengthen important reforms. The public union ‘League of the Strong’ regularly studies public demands and forms an advocacy action plan based on them. Then we go to ministries and departments with ready-made, well-founded proposals,” emphasises Daria Kukurika, executive director of the public union ‘League of the Strong’.
The purpose of the meeting was to help communities influence decision-making more effectively through advocacy tools. The training was attended by community work specialists, representatives of veterans’ organisations, initiatives for internally displaced persons, older people, and local government officials. The participants agreed that the development of society is only possible when the voices of all are taken into account — in particular, people with disabilities, IDPs, and those who most need barrier-free solutions and protection of their rights.
According to the speaker, introducing changes in society is not easy – it requires well-considered and well-developed solutions that will subsequently be consolidated into results. Advocacy helps to bring a particular issue to the fore. It is more than just a campaign or a call to action. It is consistent strategic work to change policies, overcome discrimination and amplify the voices of those who are often not heard. Advocacy becomes powerful when it is backed by real stories, personal experiences, a clear plan and community solidarity.
Philippa Tucker, coordinator of the European Disability Forum in Central and Eastern Europe, who arrived in Ukraine on a working visit, joined the discussion. She spoke about the specifics of humanitarian missions in complex regions that require increased support. She also shared her experience of working in Africa, an unstable region where various humanitarian problems coexist against a backdrop of constant military conflicts.
The training participants received clear tools on how to choose the right institution to address, develop a strategy, clearly define goals, and determine the most effective methods of influence.
The event was held as part of the Empower Ukraine project, which was created with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), CBM, and the European Disability Forum.