In 2008, conditions of admission to higher educational institutions (HEI) in Ukraine were changed radically:  the certificate of standardized external testing (SET) became the only document which opens the doors of HEI.  Monitoring studies conducted by the Promoting Active Citizen Engagement in Combating Corruption in Ukraine (ACTION) Project indicated that the nationwide introduction of SET contributed toa considerable reduction of the level of corruption during admission processes and is now perceived by  society as a promising method for  combating corruption and increasing the quality of knowledge of graduates.

ACTION Project will present the results of the survey on the state of corruption in the sphere of access to higher education

On February 12, 2009 Promoting Active Citizen Engagement (ACTION) in Combating Corruption in Ukraine project jointly with the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology will hold a press-conference to present the results of the national survey on the state of corruption in the sphere of access to higher education «National Study on Corruption in the Higher Education Sector».  Press-conference will be conducted at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the premises of the IA Ukrinform: 8/16 Bohdan Khmelnytskyy street.

On February 12, 2009 through February 20, 2009 ACTION Project will present the results of the survey on the state of corruption in the sphere of access to higher education in 10 cities of Ukraine.   Project representatives will discuss the results of the second wave of surveys i.e. change in the population’s perception and real experience of corruption over the last two years with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology and journalists.

On February 12, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ACTION Project will hold the press-conference in Kyiv at the premises of the IA Ukrinform, 8/16 Bohdan Khmelnytskyy str.

Called to protect the safety of drivers, employees of the traffic police are often perceived as a nuisance and threat by drivers.  A national survey on the state of corruption in Ukraine held in 2007 with ACTION’s support indicated that the traffic patrol is perceived as the first in the most corrupt state body.  Limited legal awareness of drivers enables dishonest law enforcement officers to abuse their authority, demand bribes and commit other corrupt acts.

ACTION is supporting the work of 14 Citizen Advocate Offices (CAO) in 8 regions of Ukraine. Starting in August, these CAOs opened their doors to citizens in need of consultation on countering corruption or dealing with excessive bureaucracy.

Overall the network provided 4578 consultations on countering corruption.  According to collected reports, 24% of cases were solved in favor of the clients; in 55% citizens chose to act independently; 19% are ongoing; finally, in 2% of cases the problem of the client was never solved.