Stage One of the UP 2024 International Internship: A Legal Essay Competition that Inspires Change

On December 20, 2024, the first stage of the UP International Internship for Legal Clinic Students took place — a legal essay competition. This year, participants reflected on a complex yet highly relevant topic: “Integrity in Practice: Tools and Methods for Implementation in Civil Service and Local Self-Government (Public Service).”

A total of 11 teams representing legal clinics from across Ukraine submitted their essays:

• Astrea, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University

• Adiutorium, National University “Chernihiv Polytechnic”

• Veritas, Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University

• Pravozakhyst, Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi Kremenchuk National University

• Educational Lab “Legal Clinic”, State Tax University

• Educational Lab “Legal Clinic”, National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”

• Legal Clinic, State University of Economics and Technology

• Legal Clinic, Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University

• Center for Legal Protection, State University of Trade and Economics

The presentations were held online, but the ideas shared were powerful, the energy — authentic, and the approaches — worth implementing. During the presentations, the participants explored integrity as a core value in public administration, analyzed how current legislation can be used as an effective tool for change, compared international and domestic anti-corruption strategies, and highlighted successful Ukrainian solutions such as Prozorro, open community budgets, and digital public services.

The teams’ essays demonstrated that integrity is not just a slogan — it’s a set of tangible decisions, actions, and mechanisms that can fundamentally reshape public sector governance.

The essays and their presentations were evaluated by a panel of distinguished judges:

• Yuliia Lomzhets, Chair of the ALCU Board;
• Kateryna Datsko, Executive Director, Foundation of Institutional Development;
• Mykhailo Sahaidak, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Department of Management, Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman;
• Anastasiia Myrkieieva, State Expert, Strategic HR Development Group, National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service;
• Yuliia Marushkevych, Director General, Department for HR Management in Civil Service and Local Self-Government, National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service.

Based on the judges’ evaluations, the following five teams advanced to the next stage of the internship:

• Team №3
• Team №5
• Team №6
• Team №9
• Team №10

We sincerely congratulate the finalists and wish them strength and inspiration for the next stage — where real casework, teamwork, and new challenges await!

To the teams that did not advance to the final — you demonstrated no less creativity, depth of analysis, and drive to make an impact. This is a strong beginning for each of you. Thank you for your courage, dedication, and valuable ideas!

The UP International Internship for Legal Clinic Students  is made possible through the support of the American and British people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK International Development from the UK government through the Promoting Integrity in the Public Sector Activity (Pro-Integrity). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the Contractor and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government or UK International Development or the UK government.