The Ukrainian Democracy Initiative was founded by Oleinikova in 2016 and aims to study the political and socio-economic transformations in Ukraine, the development of democracy, as well as the creation of a global network, to unite scientists, civic activists, government, and political figures championing the future of democracy in Ukraine.

The grant is part of the COVID-19 Emergency Support from Germany 2020 which includes a 5.8 million euro grant and a 15 million euro subsidised loan.

The ex-Soviet country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 13.1 percent year-on-year in April-June and by 17.4 percent compared to the first quarter of this year.