Information about foundation
Democratic Initiatives Foundation has grown from the Ukrainian
citizens movement –Narodny Rukh in 1992 to pursue the ideas of Rukh
activists on developing Ukrainian independent state and governance,
market economy and civil society.
Since then the Democratic Initiatives Foundation works with the
mission to support Ukraine’s transition towards a fully functioning
democracy, better governance, market economy and development of
civil society in Ukraine.
DIF makes a significant contribution to Ukraine’s democratization
and liberalization by:
• Identifying, formulating and proposing solutions to previously
invisible societal problems
• encouraging an informed political process, a free press, and
empirical political science;
• building the professionalism and knowledge of policy makers,
civil society leaders, journalists, and academia in Ukraine;
• aiding the process of democratic integration by making Ukraine
more understandable to the West and embracing Euro-Atlantic
values.
To achieve its mission DIF focuses at putting important societal
issues to public mainstream, researching them, informing and
networking with stakeholders, developing recommendations for policy
makers and public in general. Activities included conducting
sociological surveys on social, economic and political issues and
issues of Euro-Atlantic integration; disseminating the results
among journalists and wider public; conducting exit-polls to assure
free and fair elections; by publishing research finding and
analytical works of DIF’s authors in journals, books and Internet
and providing education for journalists and decision makers. The
approach was strategically reasonable as the need for withstanding
antidemocratic regime was a priority for civil society till 2004.
In general DIF actively looked for the systemic change in the
post-communist society.
For the years Democratic Initiatives Foundation has acquired a
reputation as a highly respected research and education
organization and credible source of information. DIF’s track record
include more than 200 accomplished researches, hundreds of
analytical publications, several Internet resources, more than 1500
recipients of press-releases and briefs sent regularly, etc.
Democratic Initiatives Foundation works in close partnership with
organizations in Ukraine and from around the world who share its
mission of developing Ukraine’s democratic society.
Since 1994 the DIF has co-initiated the creation of NGOs coalition
for free and fair election in Ukraine. Since then coalition works
as a network and traditional means of citizens’ elections control.
DIF is a member of Public Advisory Councils (independent citizens
bodies created within each government office) with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Parliamentarian Committee of European
Integration; is a member of the Expert Council within Ukrainian
part of the Committee on Cooperation between Ukraine and EU (headed
by the Prime Minister of Ukraine). DIF is a member of the All
Ukrainian Public Monitoring Committee. Since September 2002 DIF has
became a supporter of the Democratic League – an NGO association
that furthers democratic processes in Ukraine.
DIF pioneered think tank movement in Ukraine by its founding and
initiating conference “Think tanks and government”, think tank
community internet resource http://intellect.org.ua, initiative
“Dialog and Cooperation” among think tanks and government in
Ukraine since 2000.
DIF has directly impacted to policy change when conducted first
unbiased exit-poll during President’s elections in 2004, which
provided the evidence for elections fraud and completely changed
political landscape in Ukraine becoming the key argument for Orange
Revolution. Since then exit-polls are the necessary elements of
political culture to assure free and fair elections as an
instrument of voters civil society control in Ukraine. DIF also
supported exit-polls introducing to Georgia in 2008. Another
example of DIF’s policy impact is Euro-Atlantic integration of
Ukraine, in which DIF provides research, information, communication
and recommendations for Ukrainian government. Starting 12 years ago
as an independent NATO civil support center DIF is recognized now
as a reliable policy analysis source and messenger in developing
government communication campaign on NATO.
Several of the most eminent economists, sociologists and political
analysts in Ukraine serve as members of the analytical staff at
DIF. These analysts are recognized individuals in the academic
community whose research has been published in monographs,
journals, daily newspapers, and regularly used in the radio and
television media. Several prominent political and economic
journalists also regularly contribute to DIF’s analysis of
Ukraine’s socio-political and economic situation. The diverse
experience of its staff allows DIF to provide qualitative policy
analysis and propose policy options.
In recent years DIF focused its strategy at growing capacity of
national think tank by adding to its services advocating the policy
and agenda of civil society development and its cooperation with
Ukrainian government. In the last DIF’s Strategic plan the
attention is paid to ensuring a system of democratic governance and
sustainable institutional growth.
In January of 2003 DIF amended its long-term programming strategy
by including a new component, namely informing public opinion with
regard to Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In 2006
DIF has conducted strategic planning and new strategy will be
focused on developing instruments and methods of public policy
impact on the basis of analysis and using the capacity of the local
and international networks of civil society organizations. By this
DIF will enhance its capacity of think tank and build on its 15
years research, networking and information experience.
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