Ukraine is rapidly moving along the path toward membership in the European Union. The official candidate status granted in 2022 opened up new opportunities for the country — but also posed serious challenges.

Civil society plays a crucial role in this process, contributing to the implementation of reforms, democratic transformation, and the promotion of European values.

To increase the awareness of Ukrainian civil society organizations about European integration, the standards involved, and the opportunities that EU accession offers, East Europe Foundation, in cooperation with the Embassy of Ireland in Ukraine, is launching the Towards the EU program.

What does the program include?

• An online course on the Zrozumilo! Educational Platform
  The course will explain how the negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU are conducted, what negotiation clusters are, and which reforms are needed for integration. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the key aspects of this process and the opportunities that membership in the European community brings.
• A study visit to Brussels
  Representatives of Ukrainian civil society organizations will visit Brussels to meet with EU officials, the Government of Ireland, and leading European CSOs. This visit will provide a platform for experience exchange, partnership building, and the introduction of best European practices in Ukraine.

The Towards the EU Programme is implemented by East Europe Foundation with the financial support of the Embassy of Ireland in Ukraine and will run from December 2024 to August 2025.