On October 30, 2025, the meeting of Working Group 2 “Economic integration and coherence with EU policy” of the UNP EaP CSF was held.
During the final meeting, the participants discussed the achievements of the year, identified key challenges and outlined priorities for 2026. Active preparations have also begun for the UNP annual conference and the Summit of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum in Brussels, which will take place on December 1–4, 2025.
WG2 works in several strategic areas: development of small and medium-sized businesses and improvement of the regulatory environment, cross-border cooperation, harmonization of digital markets, economic ties with the EU and Eastern Partnership countries, implementation of the Green Deal and support for post-war economic recovery.
“Our goal is to form a strong expert environment capable of offering practical solutions for the development of communities and the economy and effectively interacting with the state and EU institutions,” emphasized Iryna Kuropas.
As of October 2025, WG2 completed the implementation of the initiative, within the framework of which analytical material was prepared. The Yavoriv Region Local Economic Development Agency, members of WG2 UNP implemented the initiative “Revitalization of the Ukrainian Economy: How to Build a New Transparent Model of Cooperation with Entrepreneurs, Focused on Business Needs”. In 2024–2025, Iryna Kuropas, WG2 Coordinator, actively participated in international and educational events within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and other platforms. She acted as a moderator and speaker at summits, discussions, and presentations of research dedicated to the economic reconstruction and European integration of Ukraine.
Iryna also participated in conferences and study visits, including the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference (URC, July 2025) and the Study Visit to North Macedonia on European Integration (October 2025). Her active participation contributed to the exchange of experience, the formation of expert recommendations, and the strengthening of the role of civil society in the implementation of reforms and European integration processes.
After the results of the year, the participants of the meeting moved on to discuss plans for the nearest period. The main task is to prepare for the annual conference of the Ukrainian National Platform, which will be held on November 10-11, 2025 and will bring together experts and public organizations to exchange experience and form a common vision of European integration changes in Ukraine. Special attention during the meeting was paid to the preparation for the annual Summit of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, where the Ukrainian delegation plans to present the achievements and developments of the UNP, in particular WG2 in the field of economic integration and post-war reconstruction.
The activities of WG2 demonstrate that systematic expert work can transform strategic goals into specific projects and solutions that change economic reality and enhance the role of civil society in the transformation of Ukraine.
It is also worth noting that the activities of WG2 are aimed at implementing reforms and initiatives with a gender component in mind. This allows ensuring equal access to resources, taking into account the needs of all population groups and supporting inclusive development of communities, which meets European standards and contributes to sustainable policies.
Equally important is the role of economic development of communities and the active involvement of local business in the processes of reform and modernization. When entrepreneurs join local projects, this not only increases the effectiveness of reforms, but also creates new jobs, promotes the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthens the economic sustainability of communities. Such cooperation allows for the implementation of innovative approaches, attracting additional resources and creating conditions for sustainable development at the local level.
Such practices demonstrate that European integration is not limited to the formation of political and legal frameworks, but has a direct practical impact on the lives of communities. It stimulates the development of the local economy, increases the involvement of citizens and businesses in decision-making and the formation of development strategies, and also contributes to the creation of transparent and effective models of interaction between the state, communities and local businesses. Such an approach ensures comprehensive development, where economic, social and political aspects support each other, making communities more resilient and competitive.
Information provided by Iryna Kuropas, UNP WG2 Coordinator
Thanks to Iryna Kuropas for organizing and conducting the meeting.
The event is implemented within the framework of the project ”Supporting the activities of the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF in 2025-2026”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting.
