• Українською
  • "TogetherWeAct Fest" took place in Kyiv as part of the all-Ukrainian communication campaign on EU support for civil society and independent media in Ukraine
    Service of the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, posted 26 May 2024 09:30

    Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, together with Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, took part in the #TogetherWeAct Fest organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine to mark the Europe Days. The event took place at Mystetskyi Arsenal, which became a common platform for public figures, experts, CSOs and media representatives, officials, Kyiv residents and guests of the capital.

    A special event of the #Together We Act Festival was the design of the Europe-Ukraine ceramic panel, which miraculously survived the devastating attack on the Boychuk Academy by the russian aggressor. Together with the children from Fastiv, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová and Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanyshyna joined the work on the panel.

    Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said: "We expect that soon the negotiation process on Ukraine's accession to the European Union will be officially launched and the first Intergovernmental Conference will be held. And it is hard to imagine this process without the participation of civil society, which has become our reliable support and guardians of transformation. Representatives of the public are already actively involved in explanatory sessions of the European Commission as part of the official screening of Ukrainian legislation. We also expect civil society to be actively involved from the moment the first negotiating chapters are opened. It is Ukrainian society and business that should define the red lines to safeguard national interests. It is up to each and every one of us to decide what position Ukraine will take at the end of the negotiation process and our future path as a full-fledged EU member."

    EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova emphasised: "The tireless will to fight for and defend freedom and democracy in Ukraine is an effort of the whole society. Many people who are actively involved in civil society organisations and the media are an integral part of this process. Against all odds, Ukrainians have shown unprecedented strength and resilience, as well as a deep commitment to European values. The European Union values our close partnership with civil society and independent media and will continue to rely on it as Ukraine's integration into the EU continues."

    The open discussion "Impact of the EU support on CSOs and media in Ukraine on its way to the EU. The place and role of CSOs in the process of Ukraine's recovery" was attended by leading experts, CSO and media representatives, as well as representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

    The event was also attended by Nobel Peace Prize 2022 laureate and head of the Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandra Matviychuk, journalist Andriy Kulikov, Oleksandr Starodubtsev (NAPC), Hanna Kramarenko (Atlant), Natalia Cheremoshentseva (Dignity volunteer initiative), as well as TNMK frontmen Oleh Mykhailyuta and singer Svitlana Tarabarova.

    On the NGO Alley ZGURTOVANIST (UNITY) and in the thematic tents, Ukrainian CSOs of various levels - from national to local - demonstrated both the results of their work and new methods of its organisation. The East Europe Foundation and partners, International Renaissance Foundation, ISAR Ednannia and partners, CO "Network 100 per cent of Life Rivne", CSO "Zminotvortsi" (Changemakers), CSO "Institute for Sustainable Community Development" (ISDC), CSO "SUVIATO", CSO "Smilyvyy Irpin", CO "FREE ZONE", CO TBPeopleUkraine, CO "Kyiv Defenders", CO "Another Woman", AUCC "Volunteer" organised lectures, discussions, surveys, consultations, trainings, quizzes, business and educational thematic games, etc. for the festival visitors. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, in partnership with the East Europe Foundation, held a mine safety training.

    At the EU pavilion, visitors could get comprehensive information about Ukraine-EU relations and the unprecedented assistance that the EU provides to Ukraine during the war, including CSOs and the media. Currently, 2,330 projects are being implemented in Ukraine, and more than EUR 104 million has been allocated to support this sector. The minimum grant amount is EUR 60,000, and the maximum is EUR 10 million. More than 800 grants have been awarded to civil society representatives at the local level.

    Background information

    This is a key public event of the All-Ukrainian communication campaign on EU support for civil society and independent media in Ukraine "Together We Act. Together we are Europe", which started on 3 May and will last until the end of July 2024 in all regions of Ukraine.

    The EU demonstrates its solidarity and unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of russia's illegal war by providing military, financial, humanitarian and budgetary assistance to the country and by consistently supporting Ukrainian civil society and independent media. More information on EU support for civil society and independent media: eu4ukraine.eu.

    The electronic version of the information materials of the "Together We Act" communication campaign can be downloaded here.