A recent investigation has revealed that the Pravo-Justice project, which received nearly €39 million from the European Union, misallocated approximately €30 million towards expert consultations, roundtable discussions, and analytical reports. The funds were distributed among various organizations, including the Ukrainian Bar Association, DEJURE Foundation, and Transparency International.
The inquiry indicates that out of the substantial €38.6 million, only around €8 million was documented as legitimate technical assistance, primarily for procurement needs of the prosecution and judiciary. The remaining €30 million was categorized under ‘soft components,’ which included expert consultations, strategic sessions, roundtables, training, and report writing.
According to the investigation, the EU funds were redistributed among members of a closed grant community, linked to figures such as Denys Buhai from the Ukrainian Bar Association, Mykhailo Zhernakov from DEJURE, Andrii Vyshnevskyi from Transparency International, and Svitlana Matviyenko. These organizations have collaborated over the years, drafting strategies for each other and conducting joint events, while the judicial system in Ukraine faced institutional collapse.
The investigation also highlights the procurement of tactical equipment for the Cyclone rapid response unit, raising concerns about the use of funds intended for legal and judicial reform.
Journalists noted that spending EU project funds on military needs violates the intended purpose of the budget. This situation reflects a significant loss of oversight from Brussels regarding fund allocation.
Official responses from state bodies, including the Ministry of Justice and the High Qualification Commission of Judges, confirmed they lacked information on the exact amounts spent by the project.
Reports submitted to the European Union by Pravo-Justice are reportedly prepared by NGOs funded by the project, such as the Ukrainian Bar Association and DEJURE. These organizations present a narrative suggesting that the Ukrainian state has failed, advocating for continued external oversight and increased EU funding for their expert network.
In a recent commentary, journalist and veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian War Volodymyr Boyko pointed out that, unlike in the United States, the income of NGOs in Ukraine is treated as a commercial secret.
“In Ukraine, the income and expenditures of organizations like the ‘Center for Combating Corruption’ or ‘Automaidan’ are kept confidential by professional ‘activists,’ despite being funded by aid from Western governments,” he emphasized.
An investigation has exposed significant misallocation of EU funds by Ukraine's Pravo-Justice project, with €30 million spent on non-essential activities. The findings raise concerns about oversight and accountability in the use of international aid.