WFD is committed to supporting Ukraine’s democratic development and recovery during and after the war. Recovery involves not only rebuilding infrastructure but also strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing transparency, and ensuring active citizen participation in governance.  

As part of this initiative, WFD Ukraine, the National Interests Advocacy Network "ANTS" and the Civil Network OPORA organised the “Democratic Resilience of Ukraine During the War and Recovery Period” forum in February 2025 in Kyiv.  

The event gathered representatives of political parties, government bodies, civil society, international organisations and experts to discuss strategies that would support the country’s democratic development and serve as a foundation for its effective recovery during and after the war.

Read the six key takeaways from the panel discussions outlining strategic priorities for Ukraine’s successful reconstruction. Watch the full event on YouTube.

Democracy and the rule of law are key conditions for Ukraine’s recovery

Preserving democratic institutions even during wartime is critical to Ukraine’s stability. During the discussion, Wendy Morton, a Member of the UK Parliament, and member of WFD Board of Governors emphasised: “Ukraine's struggle is a powerful reminder of the importance of democratic resilience, and your continuing commitment to democratic values inspires us all.”

Forum participants stressed that parliamentary activities and democratic processes must continue even in times of war. Ambassador of the EU to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová stated: “The resilience of Ukrainian democracy, the strength of civil society, and the pluralistic media landscape are all signs of a vibrant democracy.”

This underscores that democratic institutions must remain the cornerstone of Ukraine’s future recovery. Hanna Hopko, Chair of the board National Interests Advocacy Network "ANTS" and former Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Foreign Affairs (2014-2019) underlined: “Ensuring democratic resilience is not only about institutions but also about people’s engagement and trust in governance.”

Ukraine's future depends on long-term alliances and strategic investments

Financial and economic support from international partners is one of the key factors for Ukraine’s successful reconstruction. After the active phase of the war, the country will face the challenge of rebuilding not only infrastructure but also its economy, which requires new investments and strategic decisions.

Discussions included using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine recover, implementing tax and customs reforms to attract investors, and expanding international trade cooperation.  

Vasyl Sehin, WFD’s Programme Director in Ukraine added: “A sustainable recovery is impossible without economic transparency and accountability at all levels.”

The strength of civil society will determine what Ukraine will be like after the war

Civil society plays a crucial role in safeguarding democratic processes and fostering social cohesion. Special attention was given to the civil sector’s financial stability. Forum participants stressed the need to develop internal funding mechanisms and expand cooperation between the government, civil organisations, and international partners.  

Judicial reform and anti-corruption are vital for Ukraine’s growth  

Judicial reform remains one of Ukraine’s most critical challenges. The discussion focused on ensuring transparency in judicial appointments, the need to cleanse the judiciary of corrupt influences, and securing judicial independence. It was highlighted that the judiciary must become more efficient and impartial to maintain public trust and the confidence of international partners.

In addition to judicial reform, the forum focused on anti-corruption efforts. Key aspects include strengthening the independence of anti-corruption institutions and ensuring the effectiveness of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).  

Recovery also means returning to the path of decentralisation  

Local self-governance has become one of Ukraine’s most successful reforms, allowing communities to make decisions more quickly and respond effectively to the war challenges. Decentralisation has increased the autonomy of regions and enabled communities to adapt better to complex conditions.

Yuriy Hudymenko, Ukrainian politician and leader of the Democratic Axe Movement, noted: “Reconstruction is not just about buildings; it's about returning to the path of reforms.”

Preparation for post-war elections should begin now

Elections will be a crucial step in Ukraine’s democratic recovery after the war. Forum participants discussed how to ensure free and fair elections that meet international standards. It was underlined that the electoral process must guarantee equal access to voting for all citizens, including internally displaced persons and Ukrainians living abroad.

Olha Aivazovska, Chair of the Board of Civil Network OPORA highlighted: “If we want to gain the support of the world, we must start preparing for post-war elections now. It is a process that takes time.”

It was also stressed that establishing reliable election monitoring mechanisms is critically important to ensuring transparency in vote counting and preventing possible violations. Participants noted that post-war elections will serve as a test for Ukraine’s democracy.

The forum demonstrated that Ukraine’s democratic reconstruction is a multifaceted process requiring collaboration between the government, international partners, and civil society. The main avenues for further development include democratic resilience, judicial reform, civil society support, economic partnerships, and anti-corruption efforts.