Order of Merit (Ukraine)

Order of Merit
За заслуги Україна. (Ukrainian) (For achievements Ukraine)
Awarded by  Ukraine
Type	3 grade orders
Eligibility	any individual
Awarded for	given to citizens for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres of activity
Status	issued
Statistics
Established	September 22, 1996
First awarded	October 12, 1996 (3rd Class)
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise
Next (lower)	Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky
Ribbon of the Order of Merit

The Order of Merit (Ukrainian: Орден «За заслуги») (Distinguished service) first, second or third class, is the Ukrainian award, given to individuals for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture, military or political spheres of activity. It was first established by Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma on September 22, 1996.

There are 3 grades, the highest being the first grade honours.

Those who are awarded the Order of Merit have the official title Chevalier of the Order of Merit.

The order can be granted posthumously.

The Order of Merit originates from the Honorary Award of the President of Ukraine, the first decoration of independent Ukraine. The Honorary Award was instituted by Ukrainian president Leonid Kravchuk on August 18, 1992. On September 22, 1996, it was transformed into three classes of the Order of Merit. Recipients of the Honorary Award of the President of Ukraine are considered to be equal to the recipients of the Order of Merit and they are recognised as holders of the Order of Merit 3rd Class retaining the right to wear decorations that have been granted. Granting the Honorary Award of the President of Ukraine was discontinued following the institution of the Order of Merit.

Awards to serving members of the armed forces bear crossed swords.