We present analytical works prepared within the framework of the initiatives that were supported by the Ukrainian National Platform of the EaP CSF in 2025.
The 7 initiatives were supported 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.
EU values at the local level: equality in Ukraine — implementing EU standards locally
Vinnytsia non-governmental organization “Information and Educational Center ‘VIS’”, WG 1. Democracy, human rights, good governance, and stability
The purpose of the study is a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in the Life of Local Communities (hereinafter the Charter) in Vinnytsia city territorial community and the formation of practical recommendations for strengthening gender equality policy at the local level in the context of Ukraine’s European integration. The study aims to identify both successful practices and systemic barriers that hinder the full implementation of commitments under the Charter, as well as to develop specific, practically oriented recommendations for local governments. The study is directed both to strengthen implementation measures in those communities that have joined the Charter and for those considering such a possibility.
Vinnytsia’s experience confirms that joining the European Charter for Equality is an effective tool for structuring local government work in the field of gender equality and ensuring a systematic approach to implementing European standards. The Charter provides a clear guideline, methodology, and opportunities for international exchange of experience.
Report on the Study of the Implementation of the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Vinnytsia City Territorial Community
EU Directive 2024/1385: challenges and opportunities for Ukraine
NGO Centre «Women’s Perspectives», WG 1. Democracy, human rights, good governance, and stability
This document presents findings from a comprehensive comparative legal analysis of Ukrainian legislation against EU Directive 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The research, conducted by the NGO “Centre Women’s Perspectives” (Lviv, Ukraine) with over 25 years of experience protecting women from gender-based violence, reveals significant legislative gaps requiring urgent attention as Ukraine advances its European integration process.
The most critical finding concerns the complete absence of cyber violence regulation in Ukrainian criminal law. While the Directive recognizes cyber violence as a distinct phenomenon requiring specialized legal treatment, Ukrainian legislation lacks any comprehensive framework for addressing digital forms of violence against women. This creates serious protection gaps for survivors and leaves perpetrators of cyber violence effectively unpunished.
Beyond cyber violence, the analysis identifies fundamental terminological inconsistencies, missing legal concepts, and inadequate sanctions that prevent Ukraine from meeting EU standards. These gaps are not merely technical deficiencies but represent substantial barriers to protecting women’s rights and ensuring their safety in both physical and digital spaces.
Analitical report EU Directive 2024/1385: Challenges and Opportunities for Ukraine
Revitalization of the Ukrainian economy: how to build a new transparent model of cooperation with entrepreneurs, focused on business needs
Local economic development agency of Yavoriv district, WG 2. Economic integration and coherence with EU policy
Research on the implementation of the European Union’s financial support programme for Ukraine for 2024 – 2027 in the section “Economic reforms in the section ‘Business Environment’, prepared as part of an analytical report on the topic: ‘The revival of the Ukrainian economy: how to build a new transparent model of cooperation with entrepreneurs, focused on the needs of business’. The study is based on qualitative and quantitative assessments of the state and dynamics of the business environment, including not only a description of measures, but also how they affect the business climate and the perception of the business community.
The structure of the study of additional tasks for reforming the business environment includes procedures for assessing parameters in the following areas: deregulation and reduction of administrative pressure, growth of the share of small and medium-sized enterprises, continuation of deregulation reform to facilitate business, acceleration of network connection, and harmonisation of rules and regulations with the European Union.
Analytical report ‘The revival of the Ukrainian economy: how to build a new transparent model of cooperation with entrepreneurs, focused on the needs of business’
Access to environmental information and public participation in the context of green recovery and European integration reforms
International Charitable Organization “Environment-People-Law”, WG 3. Environment, climate change, and energy security
This document examines Ukraine’s progress in fulfilling its European integration commitments regarding access to environmental information and public participation in environmental decision-making. It specifically focuses on transparency and participatory mechanisms related to granting authorization for mineral extraction under production sharing agreements (PSAs), particularly regarding the Ukrainian government’s compliance with decision VII/8r of the Aarhus Convention Meeting of the Parties concerning Ukraine’s failure to meet obligations in the context of PSAs.
The document reviews the situation that brought the issue to international attention, summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee and the Meeting of the Parties, analyses Ukraine’s progress in implementing the recommendations, and offers proposals for an action plan and concrete steps to bring Ukraine back into compliance with the Convention on matters related to PSAs.
Analitical document Towards Transparency and Public Participation in the Decision-Making Process on Subsoil Use under Production Sharing Agreements
Role of Ukraine Facility in promoting environmental reforms
Non-governmental organization “Resource and Analysis Center “Society and Environment”, International Charitable Organization “Green Dossier Information Center,” National Ecological Center of UkraineWG 3. Environment, climate change, and energy security
The Regulation establishing the Ukraine Facility adopted by the European Union to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and European integration reforms offers a new financial instrument for EU assistance to Ukraine for the period 2024-2027. To implement the EU initiative on the Ukraine Facility, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the Ukraine Plan. The Plan contains a set of reforms in key sectors that contribute to growth and investment, and is positioned as a driving force “for Ukraine’s transition to a green, digital and inclusive economy.”
Reforms implemented under the Plan must comply with the principles of “build back better” and
“do no significant harm.” A separate section of the Plan is dedicated to the green transition and
environmental protection. This covers six reforms, each with its own performance indicators. The
reforms relate to the prevention of industrial pollution, climate policy, market mechanisms for
carbon pricing, restoration and conservation of natural resources, and the development of a circular
economy.
Policy paper The Environmental Dimension of the Ukraine Facility and theUkraine Plan: State of Play and Recommendations
AI4Ukraine: Ethical Artificial Intelligence for Recovery on the Path to the EU
Institute of Public Strategies”, WG 4. Contacts between people
The analytical policy “Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Smart City Tools for Ukraine’s Recovery and EU Integration” explores the potential of ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart City tools to enhance Ukraine’s resilience, recovery, and European integration. Based on the European Union’s regulatory and normative frameworks, including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2024), the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence (2019), and the Guidelines of the European Commission and the Council of Europe—notably, the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI (CETS No. 225) and the HUDERIA methodology for human rights impact assessment—as well as Ukraine’s own regulatory foundation, such as the Concept for the Development of AI (2020), the Action Plan for AI Development 2025–2026, the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s White Paper on AI Regulation (2024), and the WINWIN Strategy for Digital Innovation (2025–2030), the report assesses Ukraine’s legal, institutional, and ethical readiness for the deployment of AI in public administration and urban development.
The analysis identifies key gaps in national regulation, institutional coordination challenges, and opportunities for integrating ethical AI standards into Ukraine’s governance, education, and digital transformation systems. The recommendations are addressed to public authorities, the education and professional development sectors, and civil society organizations, aiming to promote responsible, human-centric digital transformation in line with European Union principles and values.
The analytical policy “Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Smart City Tools for Ukraine’s Recovery and EU Integration”
Social dialogue tools as a mechanism for social cohesion at the community level
Center for Social Security and Regional Initiatives, WG 5. Social and labor policy and social dialogue
Today in Ukraine, social dialogue is regulated by relevant institutions, whose activities are based on the ideal model formulated by the ILO. Experience in implementing dialogue initiatives in territorial communities of the Kharkiv region indicates the presence of potential in the form of legally established instruments. At the same time, institutional and management reforms remain critically important areas that require attention.
The focus of our attention is the local, or level of united territorial communities. The previous activities of the initiative team revealed discrepancies between the ideal and real models of social dialogue at the local levels. Thus, in terms of labor relations themselves, the problem of representation, procedure and, as a result, adherence to the principles of social dialogue at the ATC level remains unresolved.
At the same time, we cannot forget about the existing task of social dialogue in Ukraine — preserving local labor markets as a basic resource for the development or restoration of human capital of communities. This requires a certain level of social cohesion — the ability of community members to cooperate. It is clear that no society can be absolutely cohesive. But the pursuit of this is one of the tasks of the Council of Europe, on which the European Committee on Social Cohesion (CCS) is working.
The question remains open as to what should be the basis — social cohesion as a prerequisite for dialogue, or stable dialogue mechanisms as a prerequisite for social cohesion?
The initiative is aimed at: identifying the potential impact of the social dialogue system on the creation or maintenance of human capital of communities on the basis of ensuring key criteria for social cohesion; developing the possibilities of functional connections within the community in order to form an appropriate level of social cohesion and preserve human capital; identifying opportunities for adjusting formalized means of organizing interaction between community members on the basis of social dialogue, taking into account the realities of war.
This activity was carried out through a cycle of qualitative research, discussion of their results, and, within the framework of the advocacy process, contributed to the development of recommendations for both the AHs of Kharkiv region and other regions of Ukraine.
Analitical document Social dialogue tools as a mechanism for social cohesion at the community level
Activities are implemented within the framework of the project “Support to the activities of the UNP EaP CSF in 2025-2026”, funded by the European Union, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and implemented by the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting.
