Applications open for the training intensive “Parliamentary Advocacy in Action”

We invite representatives of civil society and charitable organisations to take part in the training intensive that opens the project “How to Influence Parliament — Training Intensive: Parliamentary Advocacy in Action”.

The intensive is for organisations that want to influence parliament’s decisions in the interests of the people they work with. It has two mandatory parts: three days of online training and a three-day offline simulation game.

During the training you will learn

• How does the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine work, and how are laws passed?
• Where can you find reliable information about parliament and its work?
• How can civil society organisations take part in lawmaking and parliamentary oversight?
• What are advocacy and lobbying, and what makes parliamentary advocacy distinctive?
• How do you design a strategy for a national advocacy campaign?

The simulation game lets participants follow the whole advocacy path — from initiating a bill to its adoption. A highlight: a panel discussion with members of parliament and representatives of civil society organisations that work with parliament.

When

• online training (Zoom) — 12–14 November 2026, 10:00–14:00 Kyiv time;
• offline simulation — 23–25 November 2026.

Participation is free

The project covers travel to the venue (outside Kyiv) and back — by train in a second-class sleeper at most, or by bus — as well as accommodation and meals during the offline part.

Participation requirements

• Representatives of civil society and charitable organisations registered in Ukraine may apply. We select one participant per organisation.
• The intensive is a single course, so participation in both parts is mandatory. Those who took an active part in the online training — attending all sessions with the camera on, working in groups and doing the tasks between sessions — are invited to the offline part.
• We select 60 people for the online training: 50 for the main list and 10 for the reserve list. Reserve participants also take the online training and may receive a place in the offline part if one becomes available.

Selection criteria

A committee of three project team members will select participants on a competitive basis, taking into account:

• an existing or planned national advocacy agenda — changes that can be achieved through a law, a government resolution or a state programme;
• motivation and readiness to apply the knowledge and skills in the organisation’s work;
• experience of advocacy campaigns — an advantage but not a requirement: the intensive is designed primarily for newly established organisations;
• the organisation’s participation in networks and coalitions and its communication activity — so that knowledge spreads further.

Priority will be given to organisations working with internally displaced people, veterans, military families, families of missing persons and prisoners of war, and residents of frontline communities.

When forming the group, we will aim for regional diversity, gender balance and the representation of newly established organisations. With equal scores, priority goes to organisations registered since 24 February 2022 and to organisations from frontline regions.

How to apply

Please fill in the application form by 27 October 2026 (inclusive) — it takes about 15 minutes. The form is in Ukrainian.

We will notify all applicants of the selection results by email no later than 2 November 2026.

Please send questions about the training and the selection to contact@dobradolja.education.

The project is carried out by Dobra.Dolja, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Parliamentary Institute, within the project “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine — a driver towards reforms and democracy” with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of the project materials are the sole responsibility of Dobra.Dolja and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.