Within the framework of the project «Phoenix: The Power of Communities», implemented with the support of the European Union, East Europe Foundation presents the reference publication «European Integration. The Role and Engagement of CSOs». The publication was created to provide Ukrainian CSOs with practical knowledge, in a simple and accessible format, on how they can participate in Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union. It serves as a practical tool for civil society organizations and all those working on the topic of European integration.

The handbook explains how the accession process of new countries to the European Union takes place, outlines Ukraine’s European integration path, and highlights the role of CSOs in it. In particular, it presents examples of tools and mechanisms for CSO participation, explores concrete practices of engagement (both Ukrainian and international), and describes how CSOs can access funding to implement European integration initiatives.

In addition, the handbook provides recommendations for the systematic involvement of civil society in European integration processes and proposes a model for better coordination of these processes with CSO participation.

A separate section is devoted to the results of a 2025 survey conducted within the framework of the project “Phoenix: The Power of Communities.” Forty organizations of various levels and areas of activity took part in it. This study revealed the real picture: how Ukrainian civil society organizations see their role in European integration, what barriers they face, and what kind of support they consider most necessary.