Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative (UCBI)
Ukraine faced sociopolitical upheaval in the wake of the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and armed conflict in the country’s eastern region. In response, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) launched the Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative (UCBI) to support a successful democratic transition and promote national cohesion. With special attention to eastern Ukraine, UCBI addressed the political, social, and economic crisis by providing strategic assistance and facilitating partnerships at the local and national levels. The initiative first focused on bolstering Ukraine’s civil society response to large-scale displacement, particularly as displaced persons faced challenges with social integration, access to services, and employment. In partnership with local governments, UCBI programming also expanded public service delivery improvements in eastern Ukraine, helped quicken reform, and made local government decision-making more transparent and inclusive. To help citizens embrace a new Ukrainian civic identity, UCBI raised awareness of and strengthened citizen engagement in reform efforts. These efforts not only strengthened community cohesion, but also built citizen resilience against divisive and biased information.
