“I have always been a big sports fan. So, the Kolos project is very close to my heart,” says Kristina Mikulova, Head of the EIB’s Regional Hub for Eastern Europe, “It was implemented as part of our EUR 600 million recovery programme, which has already helped more than 120 communities to rebuild schools, hospitals and sports facilities. But this project is much more than just numbers. We are creating a space where people can play their favourite sports. It is very important for us to realise our common future.”

“The total amount is EUR 7.5 million, and we have received an additional EUR 1.85 million in funding this year. The project provides for 20 percent co-financing by the University,” says Volodymyr Onyshchenko, Poltava Polytechnic Rector, commenting on the EIB support.

“For the past three years, Ukrainian children and educators have endured the hardships of war, facing shelling, blackouts, and immense psychological stress. It is why, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has stepped up its support for Ukraine’s education and youth, expanding its efforts to meet new needs caused by the war,” said Remi Duflot, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “Since then, the EU has invested over €200 million in Ukraine’s future, which is also our shared future, working closely with international partners to amplify these efforts.”

Liliia Hrynevych believes that “education policy should be aimed at overcoming the losses caused by the war, ensuring the future successful self-realisation of Ukrainians in their homeland and the development of the Ukrainian state, which will acquire new features compared to the pre-war period”.

“The quiz was generally easy for me, though there were some questions that I had to think about. I especially liked the atmosphere of the game, the interesting facts and the new knowledge I gained by participating,” says Ksenia.

“We have held many different events: trainings, challenges, flash mobs, quizzes, virtual trips to European countries,” says David. “Our Euroclub is very active, and we have a common dream – we want to visit the European Union not virtually, but in reality. We want to see how our peers live in European countries.”

“These results give us the feeling that we are close to the European Union and have the potential to catch up with the EU average if we have a well-designed policy,” says Milena Goryachkovska, project coordinator of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. “Here in Ukraine, we are trying to be faster. We understand that the European Union is moving forward, so we need to catch the train that is already moving.”

“This tool, based on the methodology of the European Institute for Gender Equality, not only assessed the gender balance in key areas, but also showed significant progress in ensuring equal rights even under the difficult conditions of war,” says Emilia Nitsevych, Chief Specialist of the Government Commissioner’s Office for Gender Equality. “The results show the resilience of Ukrainian society and its adherence to European values. This underlines Ukraine’s commitment to sustainable development and long-term integration into the European community.”

“The EU has managed to create practical mechanisms for a large-scale green transition, boost the development of entire economic sectors, reduce emissions and overcome the energy price crisis provoked by Russian aggression,” says Roman Nitsovych, Research Director at DiXi Group. “The decisions taken will have a practical impact for many years to come, as the new European Commission will support low-carbon industrial growth – that is, an economic model that will ultimately lead to climate neutrality by 2050. This is exactly the level of ambition that Ukraine should be aiming for.”

“Integrating EGD principles is not just about formal steps such as adopting the National Energy and Climate Plan and environmental legislation,” says Roman Nitsovych. “Increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energy sources, especially in times of war, helps make our energy system more resilient and our communities more energy independent.”

“This will contribute to the sustainable development of the community, improve the quality of life and preserve the environment,” says Iryna Tkachenko, Project coordinator. “Implementation of such projects also helps communities to adapt to climate change, reduce negative environmental impacts and create environmentally friendly and comfortable living conditions.”

“We do a lot of training with children and adults, and various surveys on waste sorting. And we see that it is now relevant to add metals and cans to the standard glass/plastic set, which have become very numerous,” says Iryna Matsepura, the NGO’s Head. “The first two sites with three bins have already been installed with the project grant.”

“Previously, administrative services were provided in the premises of the settlement council. It was small, and it was impossible to work properly there,” says Olena Slabinska, Head of the Novopokrovka Settlement Council. “The new ASC is spacious and comfortable, and in addition to the administrative services department, the social and land departments have also moved there.”

“We have been connected to many new registries, so we can offer many more services than before,” explains Olena Slabinska.

“We moved into the new premises very quickly. One Friday, we packed up and moved in three hours, and on Monday we were already working properly in the new ASC,” recalls Oksana Zayats, Head of the Administrative Service Centre of the Zhovti Vody City Council.

“The inauguration of two administrative service centres is a step forward in improving access to public services for these communities. The EU4Recovery partnership initiatives further strengthen communities and offer new opportunities for their growth and development,” said Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

“Children have access to the Internet at an ever-younger age and they spend more and more time on social media, playing online games and using mobile applications. This often happens without adult supervision,” says Barbara Rotovnik, Sector Manager on Migration and Integrated Border Management at the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. “The Internet offers many opportunities for learning, communication, creativity and entertainment, but it also poses many risks for children.”

“Teenagers come with different feelings. Sometimes they write – we would like to see these criminals arrested. I explain that this is the role of the police, and we can help, we can tell them, we can give them advice. I teach them how to block offenders, how to deal with online grooming or cyberbullying,” says Natalia Sukhachova, the UNSEE non-bot chat operator. “As for punishment, we need to work on increasing trust in the police, so that offenders are punished, not just blocked.”

“Crimes in the cyberspace are very delicate, sensitive and specific. We can overcome these shameful phenomena only with a joint initiative and a common vision,” said Vasyl Bohdan, Head of the Juvenile Prevention Office of the Prevention Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

“Despite the changed circumstances, the European Commission decided to continue the project and not refocus it,” recalls Tetiana Basyuk, Executive Director of the Child Well-Being Fund. “This is very important because after the outbreak of a full-scale war, the amount of time and children online has increased, so the threats we’re dealing with are growing as well.”

“Our role was to showcase EU requirements in this area and make proposals in the form of provisions in the draft law,” says Yana Dobidovska, Senior Expert on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Policy and Legislative Harmonisation. “The new law contains a lot of innovations and changes that both market operators and inspectors of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection will have to adapt to, as the approaches to regulation and control are changing. Therefore, it took a long time to agree on the provisions with all the actors involved in the process and concerned with the draft law.”

“This draft law is very important for Ukraine’s European integration. In the next report of the European Commission on Ukraine, we will show significant progress in Chapter 12, Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy,” says Yana Dobidovska. “Previously, it was phytosanitary measures that lagged behind.”