“Holka” brings together citizens, media, government, business, and other sectors for advocacy aimed at strengthening the sustainable development of the Ukrainian state, protecting democratic values, and advancing European integration reforms.
We are convinced that no one should make policies for us without us in the areas of national security — including the preservation of Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage — as well as in combating corruption, promoting justice system reform, and protecting the environment.
We take part in shaping the vision for the development of the state and communities, unite interested parties (stakeholders) for advocacy, and build communication and cooperation to ensure that the interests of society are fully considered during policymaking and government decision-making. We also teach advocacy to communities, opinion leaders, and local activists.
To achieve this, we build partnerships with think tanks, conduct research based on our own methodologies that undergo independent expert evaluation (peer review) and academic review — including by Texty.org and the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. The organization engages specialists who help develop solutions to current problems and challenges, which Holka, thanks to its media partners, communicates to a wide audience in simple language while maintaining journalistic standards. In 2024, media coverage of the Holka brand exceeded 21 million views.
Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, references “Holka” analytics.
Our partners are: “Glavkom“, “Mirror of the week“, , “Ukrainska Pravda“, “LB.ua“, “Espresso“, media “Poglyad”, “The Page“, “Detector media”, “Radio NV”, “24 Channel”, “The Ukrainian Review” and other media outlets, as well as the “Center for Innovations Development”, “YouControl”, Centre of Policy and Legal Reform, Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, DEJURE Foundation, ZMINA Human Rights Centre, Greenpeace, Civis Fortis, Environment People Law, “ANTS”.
During the decision-making process, the interests of all parties must be balanced, and the branches of government must preserve their independence and avoid deforming one another. Under these conditions, Ukraine will have a favorable investment climate for reconstruction, and donors will be able to successfully implement projects that serve the interests of our state.
Organization’s Projects:
REchargeUa is in you pоwer (civic tech) – the tool functions as a unified digital advocacy window for civil society organizations that possess relevant expertise, and it also preserves political memory regarding how Members of Parliament vote on key harmful and beneficial decisions. This will help citizens make informed choices when voting for candidates . The project was created with funding from the people of Ukraine and has been supported by NED since November 2025.
“Bridges of Ukraine“ – а volunteer, original project by the co-founder of the civic initiative “Holka,” Margarita Sytnyk, which is designed to build bridges between Ukrainians who remain in Ukraine and those citizens of our country who, for various reasons, have left but can help the state during the war and in the post-war reconstruction. One of the successful advocacy cases at the international level was the ban on Putin’s friend — conductor Gergiev — from performing in Italy.
The Creative Workshop “Ministry of Magic” – is a community of lecturers who teach advocacy at the local, national, and international levels. It helps develop personal brands, as well as the brands of organizations and institutions from different sectors, and also the brands of communities that represent themselves at international events. The subjectivity of the country depends on the subjectivity of each of us and on the influence of our organizations and communities.
“Magnet” Board Game Club – is a board-game club that attracts people with a “steel core” and sharp minds to Yaroslaviv Val 33b every Friday at 17:00. Every citizen is welcome to join. In two years of operation, the club has grown into a community that strengthens the organization’s advocacy capacity, as the events are attended by representatives of various civil society organizations and branches of government. As a result, it was possible to successfully advocate for the adoption of two laws that improved the work of the judicial branch.
“Holka” signed the Civil Society Manifesto 2022 (Lugano Declaration).
To achieve our goals, we:
identify and resist instances of distorted influence during the interaction of branches of government that may lead to authoritarianism or the usurpation of power. We counteract personnel policies that undermine sovereignty and defend institutions because they safeguard our dignity and rights. Stronger institutions lead to a stronger democracy.
monitor and analyze government policies with imbalances in the interests of parties to rectify them, including addressing corruption risks. The decisions by the authorities concerning non-renewable or difficult-to-renew resources of the state and the community—land, forests, water bodies, or finances—are our top priority;
assist in advocating for other civil organizations and initiatives that share our values, strengthening our and their influence on the political system;
monitor the implementation of decentralization reforms and adherence to regional policies, as well as electoral reform to comply with European standards and ensure the quality implementation of these reforms.;
Our Values and Principles
Honesty
01
To conceal facts or act dishonestly is to betray freedom and become a hostage of falsehood. If state institutions and their leaders do not speak the truth, it is the end of a lawful society. Therefore, honesty is the highest fidelity to the truth, which allows us to protect justice and freedom, and to build trust. It is the thread of truth that should stitch together all other values.
Justice
02
It is the absence of discrimination and corruption, and the presence of rules of the game that apply equally to everyone and ensure access to justice for all. Justice provides all citizens with equal opportunities to access shared resources for the development of each individual and to engage everyone in the process of policy-making and decision-making at the community and state levels.
Freedom
03
Citizens who become accustomed to obeying the anti-democratic actions of authorities contribute to the rise of authoritarianism. We fight to ensure that the letter of the law corresponds to its spirit. Respect for mutual freedom is the potential for the development of any community.
Trust
04
We build partnerships based on trust and shared values. Everyone who defends our values is a member of our team, and we trust them. "Needle" stitches together different sectors through shared values to build trust between them, enabling advocacy and the implementation of irreversible changes in the interests of society.
Struggle
05
We root out corruption and unprofessional governance—factors that destroy statehood, delay victory, and hinder transparent reconstruction. We must not just trim the branches of evil but cut it off with a sWORD at its root.
Motivation
06
We are proactive agents of change. The future of our country depends on us. We recognize the role of every team member and celebrate their achievements. We stand out because someone must be different.
Effectiveness
07
We seek partnerships beyond our organization to achieve greater results with fewer resources. The outcomes of our work should benefit society's development and serve it in the long term.
Protection
08
We safeguard our sources of information and the institutions whose roles are under threat because these institutions protect our rights and freedoms. Any informational attack or pressure on a member of the "Holka" team is perceived as an attack on the entire team, and the organization responds sharply.
Self-Regulation
09
If we make a mistake, we acknowledge it in the same manner in which it occurred (whether through personal communication or publicly). At the same time, the "Holka" team supports errors in work that do not contradict the organization's values because mistakes are an essential part of the path to innovation. It is through innovation that the civil sector stimulates the state's development.
