There have been announced tenders for conducting sociological research, information campaigns and a competition for the media in the direction of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. All procurement procedures have been organized to ensure the implementation of the Action Plans for raising awareness about European and Euro-Atlantic integration, approved by the Government in January 2019. State customer is the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine. Deadline for accepting proposals is April 3rd and 4th.

"Studies confirm that our citizens need more information about European and Euro-Atlantic integration, while this information should be simple, understandable and of an applicable nature. In 2018, we began systemic work to raise the awareness of Ukrainians about the country's strategic course. However, last year only one study and two information campaigns were realized. This year we hope to bring this work to a qualitatively new level: more activities will be carried out, their scale and variety will pump up", said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.

The Deputy Prime Minister also added apart from those two information campaigns, two sociological studies and a media contest with a two-day trip to NATO Headquarters as a reward, in the following quarters, there will be conducted tenders for the implementation of another two information campaigns inside the country and two - beyond its borders.

"The influence of fakes, echoing of Soviet-era and Russian propaganda contribute to distorting the reality of European and Euro-Atlantic integration in the Ukrainian information space. Russia and some of our Ukrainian politicians are trying to counteract to our European and Euro-Atlantic integration through manipulation and miscommunication of information. Among the flow of information from every side during the election period, it is important for citizens to distinguish impartial data based on facts that they could compare to that spoken by various politicians. Therefore, now the overriding task for the Government is to provide true information about the changes that are taking place now and are ahead for us in the future", said the Deputy Prime Minister.

She urged organizations specializing in communications to actively participate in procurement and not to be afraid to deal with the state as a customer. "We want to attract as many professional market participants as possible to take part in the tenders. A lot depends on the qualitative and creative performance of the tasks. We saw an overwhelming interest for the materials of last year's campaigns. The previous experience was successful, and this gives us hope for high-quality information work this year", said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

The following tenders are to be conducted:

• Organization and holding of a Nationwide raising awareness campaign on the content and principles for cooperation between Ukraine and NATO and NATO's role in strengthening international stability and security.

• Organization and conducting an information campaign on the successful experience of implementation of European standards in all spheres of life, including business, science, culture and social activities.

• Services on organization and a national public opinion survey on public attitudes towards Ukraine joining NATO and Ukraine's integration with the EU, 2 lots.

• Organization of a Nationwide contest for the best publication in the audiovisual (electronic), print media, television and radio program about NATO and national policy in the field of European integration.

Background

The first information campaigns were initiated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine and implemented by the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine with the support of the Government Office for the Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration at the end of 2018. The contractor of the works, the Ukrainian Media Development Institute was the winner of the tenders. Campaigns were implemented in November-December 2018. Within the campaigns, newsletters, various information videos, the cycles of information programs "Why NATO?" And "Eurointegration – the Power of Opportunities", a series of live broadcasts and videos for social networks were created. The implementation of the communication program has provided over 20 million contacts with Ukrainian audience aged 16-65. The programs and videos created within the campaign can be viewed at the link.