The NACP held its sixth coordination meeting, “Synergy of Anti-Corruption Communications,” for over 100 communications professionals from government bodies. The purpose of the event was to summarize the results of anti-corruption communications in the first half of 2025, as well as to discuss how to make state communications effective, clear, and value-driven, promoting integrity and explaining how the anti-corruption system works and what its key outcomes are.
Such meetings are held by the NACP as part of the implementation of the State Anti-Corruption Program (2023–2025) and the Communication Strategy in the field of corruption prevention and counteraction until 2025 (hereinafter — the Strategy).
During the event, participants discussed a range of topics with representatives of the media, civil society organizations, experts, communications professionals, and sociologists, including:
- Citizens’ trust in authorities, perception of corruption, and anti-corruption efforts of state bodies;
- New challenges in anti-corruption communications;
- Crisis response and media engagement;
- Trends and new formats in communications;
- Cooperation with regional media, among others.
NACP representatives shared progress on implementing the current Strategy, as well as the goals and priorities that will be included in the new Strategy for 2026–2030.
Discussions on new challenges for the anti-corruption infrastructure, the importance of citizens’ trust, and the role of communications in crisis situations were led by Roman Romanyuk, political analyst at Ukrainska Pravda; Tymofii Brik, rector of Kyiv School of Economics and sociologist; Kateryna Kobernyk, editor-in-chief of BABEL; and Serhii Stukanov, radio host and head of the analytical department at the Center for Content Analysis.
Roman Romanyuk, political analyst of Ukrainska Pravda, noted that citizens’ trust in anti-corruption agencies was formed by a demand for justice. Therefore, in July of this year, people protested not for specific agencies, but because they felt a threat to the realization of the right to justice.
Kateryna Kobernyk, editor-in-chief of BABEL, emphasized the importance of clearly explaining complex topics regarding the work of state authorities, their actions, and the clear reasons and consequences of specific decisions in state policy.
Serhii Stukanov, head of the analytical department of the Center for Content Analysis, presented the results of the media monitoring for Q2 2025, Corruption Through the Media Lens:
“Media pay insufficient attention to communicating the completion and results of cases, and critically few materials address corruption prevention — only 1%. This topic needs to be more actively communicated and explained to the media. Additionally, only 13% of publications emphasize the role of civil society organizations in combating corruption. Media do not always link digitalization and deregulation with corruption minimization factors. Openness and transparency, as preventive measures against corruption, are also rarely communicated,” noted Serhii Stukanov.
In the second part of the event, participants discussed the importance of preparing for crisis communications, using non-standard formats, applying storytelling tools, and engaging regional media in collaboration.
Inha Vyshnevska, co-founder of Resilient Ukraine, One Philosophy Group, highlighted the importance of scenario modeling, preparation for crises, and early involvement of communications professionals in decision-making processes to understand potential impacts on structural decisions and “repackage” ideas. She emphasized that organizations should not fight propaganda directly but ensure that their position is communicated systematically and confidently, including in anti-corruption efforts.
Oksana Polishchuk, PR and press manager at Vinnytsia Oblvodokanal, shared her experience with storytelling, which made the work of the local municipal enterprise known far beyond the region, with content going viral.
Oksana Moroz, founder of the infodemic initiative How Not to Become a Vegetable, stressed the need to “personalize” corruption by breaking it into simple messages, working with the audience from the bottom up, and measuring communication results. She added that communications should integrate harmoniously into the existing institutional infrastructure.
During the event, participants discussed the results of anti-corruption communications and the new Communication Strategy, which NACP is developing together with partners. Among the priorities of the new strategy for 2026–2030 are: conducting surveys and research, data-driven communication, emphasis on long-term educational campaigns, preference for interactive formats (gamification, user experience communication, community-based projects), and development of communications infrastructure. Pavlo Buldovych, Head of the Department for Coordination of State Information Policy at NACP, noted that an important task is to increase citizens’ awareness of state services, which are accessible and comfortable alternatives to existing corrupt practices. Expanding positive experiences of using anti-corruption services among citizens and businesses will contribute to reducing Ukrainians’ involvement in corruption.
NACP also recognized the best communication practices and teams that effectively implement the Strategy’s measures. Among them are teams from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate of Ukraine, and the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection (Derzhprodspozhyvsluzhba).
The event was supported by the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative.
As a reminder, on December 22, 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the order “On Approval of the Communication Strategy in the Field of Corruption Prevention and Counteraction until 2025 and the Operational Plan for its Implementation” №1203.
Within the Strategy, NACP, together with partners, conducts nationwide information campaigns, participates in the creation of documentary films, implements projects with well-known educational initiatives, and for the first time organized a strategic communications training for local government representatives. All training videos are available here: https://cutt.ly/Xe067469
