Kyiv, 11 September 2025 – A group of professional trainers has completed a plain language certification programme aimed at making public services more accessible and effective. The programme, a collaboration between the Chernihiv Educational Human Rights House and the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine, equips trainers with the skills to teach public officials how to write and communicate clearly. It was initiated by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the High School of Public Governance, in partnership with the Advisor – Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Environment, and with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Even before completing their own certification, the new trainers have already put their skills to use, mentoring nearly 140 public officials. These sessions have focused on structuring information and replacing complex jargon with clear, understandable language. The newly certified trainers will continue this vital work, extending the reach of plain language training more public servants across the country. 

During the graduation ceremony for the programme’s participants, UNDP Ukraine's Human Rights and Access to Justice Project Manager Svitlana Kolyshko emphasized that such skills are critically important during the war for developing a barrier-free and accessible public service.

“Because of the war, people who apply for public services often find themselves in vulnerable situations,” Svitlana Kolyshko noted. “Plain and clear language — both in written and spoken communication — not only makes public service more accessible and effective, but also helps strengthen trust in it. In this context, your training work is highly important.”

Demand for the programme remains high – around 9,500 public servants have completed online training on plain language on the platform of the High School of Public Governance.

The Head of National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS) Nataliia Aliushyna emphasized that clear language used by state authorities is not only a standard of modern communication but also a matter of access to rights and services in extraordinary circumstances.

“For NAUCS, barrier-free access is not a slogan but a reality. Special thanks go to the trainers of the course who conducted 8 in-person trainings for 138 public servants. Thanks to you, public service is becoming more open and inclusive,” said Nataliia Aliushyna.

These training programmes contribute to a systemic change, with the ultimate goal of making public services more accessible and understandable for all citizens.

The skills gained will help the participants make public services easier to navigate and understand for everyone. This is especially critical today, as millions of Ukrainians have been living under constant stress for more than three years. The use of plain language by officials removes unnecessary barriers, making it easier for people to access the public services and assistance they need.

Background: 

The training programme on plain language has been implemented at the initiative of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the High School of Public Governance, in collaboration with the Advisor – Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Environment, and with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The development team included representatives from the Chernihiv Educational Human Rights House and the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine. Further plans of the training event include preparing trainers who will go on to enhance the skills of even more public servants.

Media enquires:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org