FORMATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN UKRAINE UNDER EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESSES: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The development of civil society is characterized by many factors, including the level of values development in society and trust in public institutions. A developed civil society is an integral attribute of modern democracy. Ukraine’s course towards European integration requires the formation of robust civil society institutions capable of exerting effective influence on the activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies. Currently, in accordance with international community requirements, the establishment of civil society in Ukraine requires strengthening its statehood in terms of further building a rule of law state with proper guarantees and protection of human rights, ensuring freedom of speech and thought, expressing views, beliefs, freedom of association, and active participation in government affairs. Civil society represents the interests of social groups and citizens, and its institutions play an active role in promoting territorial integrity and peacebuilding, making the creation of favorable conditions for its development a crucial task for all government authorities and local self-government bodies. The primary goals of state policy aimed at the development of civil society involve providing a favorable policy and legal environment for its institutional development, actively involving citizens and civil society institutions in the processes of formulating and adopting socially significant state management decisions, shaping and implementing state and local policies, and ensuring transparency in the participation of civil society institutions in state affairs.