Last year, a law student joined AMI as an intern and stayed on the team. Drawing on that experience, the organisation has updated the programme and opened a new intake.
1. How it began
The first cycle revealed a larger-than-expected gap between university training and practical work. This reflected a systemic difference between classroom learning and work at the intersection of residents, civil society and local government.
Internship 2.0 now has three clearly defined stages with increasing independence, realistic targets and a concrete analytical output at each stage.
2. Planned results
The internship runs from July to September 2026. Participants progress from learning AMI’s internal processes to independently providing legal consultations and preparing analysis for local authorities.
Targets include at least eight initial consultations for residents, three legal documents for local authorities and one analytical product based on verified public data. Participants also attend Kharkiv Regional Council sessions and committee meetings and learn about at least two council departments.
3. Challenges and achievements
Practical responsibility increases gradually. The first month establishes a methodological foundation, including local government legislation and the councillor assessment campaign. Analytical work follows, then legal counselling.
Programme supervisor Yuliia Biekkiel has more than 17 years of human rights experience and over three years with AMI. She supports every stage, from methodological assignments to final evaluation.
A hybrid format with practical work near home is available for participants living outside Kharkiv.
4. Community impact
Ukraine needs lawyers who understand local government from within and can also defend the public interest. Universities mainly prepare litigation lawyers or civil servants.
AMI trains professionals to work where government, communities and civil society meet — where needs are greatest and specialists are scarce.
5. The project’s legacy
AMI views internships as a way to develop its team from within. The organisation grew by four people over the past year.
The programme follows this approach: identify motivated people, provide real practical experience and retain those who are a good fit.
Applications are open until 29 June 2026.
Contact: initiativeslocal@gmail.com, +38 (050) 14 55 244
The internship is part of the Impulse project implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation with the East Europe Foundation, supported by Norway (NORAD) and Sweden (Sida).
