Ukraine’s European integration path, prospects and possible models of accession to the EU, and the “homework” in the process, in particular for civil society: through practical examples and first-hand accounts.
From 10 to 18 October, the most successful graduates of the Ukrainian Catholic University’s “European Integration” certificate program visited Berlin and Brussels. The certificate program, focusing on the logic of EU governance, decision-making processes and the specific features of European integration, lasted more than four months. Lectures, webinars and practical assignments helped participants gain a multifaceted understanding of both technical procedures and conceptual ideas. The Heinrich Böll Foundation became a partner of the educational program and a co-organiser of the visit.
“This study visit became a powerful source of motivation for me to deepen my knowledge of European policy and Ukraine’s integration into the EU. First and foremost, the visit made it possible to see the practical dimension of the European integration process and to realise that behind political decisions there are real people: those who prepare analytical reports, conduct research, shape policy positions, communicate with voters and represent the interests of different groups. What I valued most about this visit was the openness to dialogue and the willingness to have an honest conversation, in particular about the challenges, contradictions and expectations that accompany the European integration process. I am glad that I had the opportunity to hear different positions without unnecessary diplomatic smoothing over of difficult issues,” states Sofiia Strilets, Assistant to the Head of the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) in Ukraine.
The group had a rather diverse background: local self-government bodies and administrations, media, youth organisations, academic institutions, etc. Throughout the study visit, participants had the opportunity both to update their knowledge of Ukraine’s progress in European integration and to ask about issues that concern them personally: EU regional policy and opportunities for communities, communication with different Ukrainian audiences and foreign stakeholders, and the European security dimension.
To ensure greater objectivity and include different perspectives, the visit involved not only meetings with officials of EU institutions but also representatives of think tanks, the European Parliament and the Bundestag. Participants also attended the headquarters of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and of the Alliance 90/The Greens party (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen).
At the Bundestag, the group had an opportunity to exchange views with Stephan Bischoff, Senior Advisor to Bundestag Member Robin Wagener. They discussed the role of the parliaments of EU Member States in shaping the European Union’s agenda, particularly on issues related to Ukraine, as well as how the pace of European integration depends on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Representatives of the institutions visited heard different and not always obvious perspectives on the implementation of Interreg and Twinning programmes, as well as the components of the EU Cohesion Policy. In turn, the group was able to gain a broader picture and hear the latest insights into the work of the European Commission’s Directorates-General and the European Parliament.
Think tanks represented different views on future dynamics and opportunities to influence policies within the EU and its Member States. Participants visited the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik) and the Institute for European Politics (IEP) in Berlin, and the European Policy Centre in Brussels.
Meetings with European institutions included:
- Meetings with Petras Auštrevičius, Member of the European Parliament (Lithuania, Renew Europe political group), Chair of the informal Friends of European Ukraine group, and Markus Poesentrup, Head of Office of MEP Michael Gahler (Germany, European People’s Party) — at the European Parliament;
- A conversation with Wolfgang Nozar, Head of the Governance, Rule of Law and Financial Assistance Unit in the Ukraine Service — at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST);
- A meeting with Morey Gilland, Head of the Unit of Macro-regions, Transnational/Interregional/External Cooperation, Enlargement — at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO);
- A meeting with Marta Wytrykowska, Deputy Head of the Ukraine Division — at the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The dialogue did not necessarily follow a question-and-answer format but opened up new horizons for reflection. Thus, Daria Chudnovska, a member of the Youth Council under the Ministry for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine and a representative of the KSE EU Club, recalls: “Meetings with representatives of European institutions showed that not all European practices can be directly transferred to the Ukrainian context. At the same time, the visit made it possible to see different approaches, understand the logic behind their work and identify what could be useful for Ukraine. For me, this is precisely where the value of the study visit lies: not in receiving ready-made answers to all questions, but in better understanding what solutions should be developed in Ukraine, what they should be based on and how they should be adapted to our needs.”
What is more, Nadiia Marchuk, Chief Specialist of the Physical Culture and Sports Department of the Youth and Sports Directorate of Kropyvnytskyi City Council, highlights an insight regarding the role of the EU: “During the discussions, it became clear that preparations for accession are not a one-sided process in which only Ukraine does its ‘homework’. The EU also needs to adapt its own institutions, policies and financial instruments to ensure realistic and consistent enlargement without harming the Member States. In particular, I was concerned about how the transition from pre-accession assistance to funding under Cohesion Policy could take place and how to avoid gaps in support for Ukrainian regions.”
The group also met with the office of the civil society organisation Promote Ukraine, including Marta Barandii, and the Representation of the Heinrich Böll Foundation to the EU. These conversations provided a glimpse into how advocacy takes place at the EU level, how to succeed with it and how to make the voice of civil society heard.
However, the programme consisted of more than just meetings; learning about the history of the formation of institutions was no less important. Accordingly, the participants of the visit took a guided tour of the Bundestag, learned more lesser-known facts about the EU at the Parlamentarium (the European Parliament’s interactive visitor centre) and saw the European Quarter from the inside.
However, involvement in Ukraine’s European integration does not end with the visit. For example, the trip inspired Tetiana Bihun, a communications intern at CEPOL and Head of the All-Ukrainian Youth NGO “European Youth of Ukraine”, to launch new initiatives:
“What I liked most was the format of the meetings itself. Experts shared not only publicly available information but also their own experience, assessments and vision of the future, openly answered our questions and offered practical advice. The opportunity to hear different, sometimes sceptical, views and better understand the realities in which political decisions are made was particularly valuable. I would especially like to highlight the advice given during the meeting with the EEAS: to focus on changes that can be achieved at the local level. European integration may seem like a complex and distant process, but its principles and values can be implemented through concrete initiatives in communities, work with young people and clear communication.”
Petro Baikovskyi, Head of UCU’s “European Integration” certificate program and coordinator of the study visit, concludes: “One of the most important outcomes of this visit was the practical consolidation of the knowledge acquired during the certificate programme, as well as gaining new insights into discussions and processes within the EU. But perhaps even more important is to establish a community of graduates who will subsequently pass on the knowledge they have gained to their colleagues.”