On 13 December, the conference “The Role of Civil Society in the Reconstruction and European Integration of Ukraine” took place in a hybrid format (in-person and online).
The aim of the event was to analyse the challenges of European integration at the regional level and the role of civil society organisations in overcoming them. To summarise the achievements of the Ukrainian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum over the past year, present implemented initiatives, and share experiences and challenges faced by civil society organisations.
During the first panel, “Ukraine’s Path to EU Membership Amid Russian Aggression: The Regional Dimension,” the following individuals shared their thoughts and experiences:
- Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, Member of Ukrainian Parliament, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union
- Halyna Vasylchenko, Member of Ukrainian Parliament (online)
- Yulia Ovchynnykova, Member of Ukrainian Parliament
- Ihor Burakovskyi, Chair of the Board at the IER
- Olha Kvashuk, Manager of the “Europe and the World” Programme at the International Renaissance Foundation
- Iryna Skuratko, Head of the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil Region (online)
- Iryna Kuropas, Member of the Steering Committee of the Ukrainian National Platform, Manager at the Yavoriv Local Economic Development Agency
- Ruslan Havryliuk, National Coordinator of the Ukrainian National Platform, Head of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NECU)
The moderator was Andrii Kulakov, Programme Director of Internews Ukraine.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze emphasised the importance of effective cooperation between the government, parliament, civil society, and businesses in Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership. She discussed the tasks and challenges on this path.
Member of Parliament Halyna Vasylchenko stressed the importance of adopting the two reforms relevant to the regional level and critical for our European integration. These are:
- Reforming local property tax administration (expanding the powers of local self-government bodies).
- Changing the mechanism for redistributing personal income tax to a more efficient model (the optimal solution would be to allocate personal income tax revenue to the location of the separate division).
“These changes will enable communities to become more financially capable, which forms the foundation for successful integration into the European community. The discussion demonstrated once again that Ukraine’s European integration is meticulous work at all levels of government and civil society,” emphasised Ms Halyna.
Ihor Burakovskyi, Chair of the Board at the IER, emphasised the significant role of civil society in advancing Ukraine’s European integration: “Ukrainian civil society demonstrates a high level of expertise, but it is impossible to cover all aspects of European integration. Therefore, civil society organisations should focus their efforts on areas where they have relevant expertise and oversee government actions, which are currently lagging in decision-making,” said Burakovskyi. The speaker also noted that adapting to European standards requires significant financial expenditure from both the state and businesses. He stressed that this pertains not only to the legal implementation of standards but also to creating conditions for their practical adherence.
“The role of Regional Development Agencies takes on new significance in the face of current challenges: they can become key institutions for supporting the sustainability and development of regions, particularly through attracting investments, effective project activities, and more. To achieve this goal, the development of Regional Development Strategies and the implementation of Programmes are crucial, along with fostering cooperation and partnerships with state authorities, local governments, the civil sector, chambers of commerce, businesses, and international partners,” said Iryna Skuratko, Head of the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil Region.
“It is important to discuss the regional dimension of European integration. Sometimes, communities themselves do not realise that they have long been actively involved in European integration changes at the local level. Ukraine’s European integration requires a systematic approach and active participation from all levels of society, especially local communities. Engaging communities in this process will help overcome challenges, take regional specificities into account, and create favourable conditions for implementing European standards and values. Active collaboration among local authorities, civil society organisations, businesses, and citizens will be the key to success on this path. Such directions include:
- implementing a project-based approach to community management and attracting non-budgetary funding (grant activities).
- developing development strategies, especially involving a wide range of stakeholders
- establishing international inter-municipal partnerships as an important pillar of European integration,” emphasised Iryna Kuropas.
Olha Kvashuk, Manager of the “Europe and the World” Programme of the International Renaissance Foundation, shared the foundation’s 10 years of experience in Ukraine’s European integration. Since the start of the full-scale war, the foundation has focused particularly on international advocacy. In her opinion, an important aspect is to establish cooperation with the Western Balkans to prevent conflicts and foster healthy competition between Ukraine and other EU candidate countries. “We must demonstrate that our integration into the EU is not a threat but an opportunity for joint efforts to benefit everyone,” noted Olha. She also emphasised that Ukrainian civil society organisations are already actively influencing policy changes by participating in working groups and facilitating the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU standards. However, the shortage of personnel in state institutions remains a serious issue, and the government requires support from the expert community.
Ruslan Havryliuk, National Coordinator of the Ukrainian National Platform, highlighted Ukraine’s role within the Eastern Partnership: “Ukraine will remain part of this initiative until it becomes an EU member, but even now we are helping to strengthen the EU’s eastern borders.” Ruslan Havryliuk outlined the activities of the UNP, which comprises over 150 member organisations collaborating within working groups. The consistent support for the Platform by the European Commission and collaboration with the IER, which administers a grant to support the Platform, was noted. The Platform’s active stance led to the adoption of an ambitious Resolution at the First Summit of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, held in Vienna in November. The Resolution specifically included a call for the European Union to take bolder decisions regarding Ukraine’s path to EU membership and to clearly define its prospects for NATO membership. The main priorities of the Platform have been identified as supporting European integration and Ukraine’s reconstruction. The Platform has an ambitious strategic plan and is developing its analytical and advocacy work in the outlined areas, which have become integral to its activities.
During the second platform session, seven initiatives implemented by the Ukrainian National Platform members in 2024 were presented.
Initiatives:
Oksana Huida from the NGO “Kremenchuk Anti-Corruption Centre” presented the initiative “The Regional Dimension of Recovery Trend and Advocacy for EU Membership: A Year Later.” It focuses on analysing the progress of recovery in Poltava and Kirovohrad regions, assessing the implementation of European standards, and developing recommendations for Georgia and Moldova.
Hennadii Maksak from the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism” discussed the initiative “The European Union’s Readiness for External Challenges,” aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy by developing practical solutions for the new strategic document, “The EU Preparedness Strategy.”
Viktoriia Hodik and Nataliia Revutska from the NGO “Energetic Country,” together with the Women’s Energy Club of Ukraine, are working on the initiative “Strengthening Equality: The Role of Gender Advocacy in Implementing the Green Deal and Sustainable Development.” It examines the impact of gender equality on the success of environmental reforms.
Viktor Borshchevskyi from the Yavoriv Local Economic Development Agency presented a study titled “Key Priorities for the Development of Territorial Communities in the Context of Post-War Economic Modernisation,” which analyses the development of communities along the EU border and proposes specific pathways for their recovery.
Tamara Malkova, together with a number of environmental organisations, presented the initiative “On the Path to the EU in the Field of Environment,” focused on implementing the European Commission’s recommendations on ecology and climate.
Olena Lazorenko from the NGO “Women’s Professional League” is working on a project titled “Analytical Review of the Status of Women in the Economy and Education,” which highlights the position of women in the context of European integration and provides recommendations for further reforms.
Viacheslav Roi from the Federation of Trade Unions of Small and Medium Enterprises of Ukraine, in partnership with the Kharkiv Regional Organisation of the Entrepreneurs’ Trade Union, presented the initiative “Post-War Recovery of the Labour Market in Ukraine: Trends and Threats.”
The information was prepared by Iryna Kuropas, a member of the Steering Committee of the UNP of the EaP CSF, and Ruslan Havryliuk, National Coordinator of the UNP of the EaP CSF.
During the event, the challenges of European integration at the regional level and the role of civil society organisations in addressing them were analysed, and the implemented initiatives were presented. Conference participants exchanged experiences and discussed the challenges faced by civil society organisations.
Conference programme,
Video recording
Sharing wonderful photos with you – Part 1 and Part 2
Introducing the speakers of the first panel: “Ukraine’s Path to EU Membership Amid Russian Aggression: The Regional Dimension”:
Introducing the speakers of the second panel: “The Role of the UNP of the EaP CSF in European Integration Processes”:
«Медіа-хаб «Твоє Місто» https://tvoemisto.tv/exclusive/maiemo_pyat_rokiv_abo_bez_chogo_ukraina_ne_zmozhe_vstupyty_v_yes_171582.html
Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the European Union:
Halyna Vasylchenko, Member of Ukrainian Parliament:
Iryna Kuropas, Member of the Steering Committee of the Ukrainian National Platform, Manager at the Yavoriv Local Economic Development Agency:
Iryna Skuratko, Head of the Regional Development Agency in the Ternopil Region:
The event was held as part of the annual conference of the Ukrainian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (UNP EaP CSF), and within the framework of the project “Supporting the Activities of the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF in 2024,” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting. Individual opinions expressed in the event the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting.
