The Anti-Corruption Research and Education Centre (ACREC), together with the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), held the Fifth Annual Conference “Whistleblowers in Ukraine: Successes and Challenges.”
The annual event brought together representatives of the public sector, business, civil society, lawyers, and journalists to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine’s anti-corruption system.
The goal of the Conference was to strengthen inter-institutional dialogue and practical cooperation in the field of whistleblower protection, analyze achievements and challenges, and discuss ways to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with European standards in the context of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Conference opened with welcoming remarks from Olha Polukhovich, Vice President for Academic Affairs at NaUKMA, Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the NACP, and Marharyta Chabanna, Deputy Executive Director of ACREC.
Olha Polukhovich emphasized that whistleblowing remains an important topic for the university. It was especially inspiring to hear words of support from NaUKMA, which has long partnered with ACREC to advance anti-corruption education and promote a culture of integrity. We are deeply grateful to Ms. Olha for her unwavering support of our Center.
The topic of anti-corruption is not new for us. It has been important since the very restoration of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. We understand that without proper expertise, this topic can be misused for manipulation and propaganda. That is why such academic events are incredibly valuable, and we are proud that they take place within the walls of Mohyla Academy.
Olha Polukhovich, Vice President for Academic Affairs at NaUKMA
Marharyta Chabanna joined the conference online, noting that such events help support whistleblowers and provide a platform to discuss ways to further protect them.
This Conference is not just an educational event; it has become a lasting expert platform for discussing the political and legal aspects of whistleblowing and for supporting the whistleblowers themselves — those who are not afraid to speak the truth about corruption.
Marharyta Chabanna, Deputy Executive Director of ACREC
The conference featured the following speakers:
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Sergiy Gupiak, Deputy Head of the NACP
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Oksana Nesterenko, Executive Director of ACREC
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Suelette Dreyfus, Blueprint for Free Speech
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Monika Kalinauskine, Member of the OECD Monitoring Team for Ukraine
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Anastasia Renkas, Head of Whistleblowing Development Department, NACP
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Fedor Venislavsky, Member of Parliament
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Serhiy Stepanyan, Head of the Department for Prevention and Detection of Corruption, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
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Oleh Polishchuk, Lawyer
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Georgiy Sandul, Director of the NGO “Labor Initiatives”
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Maksym Panchenko, Lawyer and Head of the Maksym Panchenko Law Firm
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Nataliya Marchuk, Deputy Director of the Coordination Center for Legal Aid
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Ilia Vorobyov, Lawyer at Miller Law Company
Throughout the day, the conference hosted four engaging panel discussions:
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Updates on the whistleblower protection ecosystem over the past year
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Whistleblower protection in the context of European integration
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Effectiveness of institutions and legal safeguards in protecting whistleblowers: realities and prospects
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Open dialogue with whistleblowers, authorized representatives, and lawyers
Participants discussed strategic steps for developing the whistleblowing system through 2030, including the protection of whistleblowing military personnel, improving procedures for handling classified information, and enhancing the effectiveness of state institutions.
Another key topic highlighted that in 2024, for the first time, whistleblowers were able to receive financial rewards—a milestone made possible through the collaboration of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance, the State Treasury, and NACP.
During her speech, Oksana Nesterenko highlighted the insufficient protection of whistleblowers in Ukraine and emphasized the need to strengthen support for them, as they often face pressure and a lack of understanding from the system on their own.
We need to build a coalition, come together, foster dialogue, and address challenges collectively. If we continue as we are, more and more people will become disillusioned with the system, and real change will remain out of reach.
Oksana Nesterenko, Executive Director of ACREC
The experience of real whistleblowers helps build an effective protection system, as practical cases reveal where changes are needed. Ukraine is moving toward European Union membership, making the harmonization of its legislation with European standards, including the implementation of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive, an essential step. Even during the war, this work must continue.
Platforms like the annual “Whistleblowers: Successes and Challenges” Conference bring together experts, government bodies, and civil society to work collaboratively on creating effective and reliable protection for whistleblowers.
The conference is held with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation.
