The Non-Governmental Organization Carpathian Agency of Human Rights "Vested" as part of the project "Eurocommunity: Financial Opportunities for Development and European Integration", implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, strengthened the capacity of Ukrainian territorial communities in the process of European integration by developing international territorial cooperation, supporting the creation of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation, training community representatives, and providing practical expert assistance.
During the implementation of the project, it was possible not only to fully carry out the planned activities, but also to exceed a number of key indicators. One of the most significant results was the provision of 127 individual consultations to representatives of territorial communities, which is 27% more than the planned figure. Consultative support was received by representatives of at least 41 communities, and over 60% of requests were repeat ones, demonstrating high trust in the expert team and the practical value of the consultations. In 35 cases, communities received long-term mentoring support in finding international partners, preparing project ideas, and grant applications.
An important component of the project was the educational program. Five training sessions were held, dedicated to international and inter-municipal cooperation, participation in European Union programs, grant application preparation, and international project management. In total, 537 representatives of local self-government bodies, public organizations, educational institutions, and state authorities from almost all regions of Ukraine took part in the training. This scale of participation significantly exceeded initial expectations and demonstrated a high interest of communities in practical tools of European integration.
Within the project, a complex of educational materials covering five thematic modules was developed, as well as a scientific and methodological manual with recommendations on creating European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation. The manual contains a step-by-step algorithm for establishing European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation, practical recommendations, and model documents that local self-government bodies can use in their work. In addition, bilingual presentation profiles in Ukrainian and English were prepared for ten territorial communities, which are already being used for the international positioning of communities, searching for partners, and presenting investment potential.
An equally important result was the expansion of international partnerships of Ukrainian communities. Within the project, new contacts were established with European municipalities and organizations, and a joint international project application was prepared for the SlovakAid Small Grants call. This demonstrates that the knowledge gained is quickly transformed into practical partnership initiatives and new opportunities for attracting international funding.
An important component of the project was the information campaign. During implementation, 114 information materials were prepared and distributed on social networks, websites, print and online media, television, and radio. The final stage was a summary press conference during which the main results of the project, successful practices of territorial communities, and prospects for further development of international cooperation were presented.
The results of the project are already being used today by local self-government bodies. The prepared community profiles, methodological recommendations, and expert opinions are applied when searching for international partners, developing new projects, and formulating strategies for international cooperation. The practical demand for the project is confirmed by the high number of repeat consultations, the continuation of mentoring support, and the use of the developed materials in community activities.
The implementation of the project confirmed that Ukrainian communities have significant potential for active participation in European Union programs, development of international partnerships, and attracting financial resources. The created educational materials, methodological recommendations, bilingual community profiles, established partnership ties, and initiated initiatives to create European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation will continue to serve as a practical tool for community development and their successful integration into the European space.
The project "Eurocommunity: Financial Opportunities for Development and European Integration" was implemented by NGO Carpathian Agency of Human Rights "Vested" together with the Faculty of Law of Uzhhorod National University with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation within the joint initiative "Joining the EU Together". This material represents the position of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union or the International Renaissance Foundation.