Date: 14 December 2023
Time: 11:00 CET/12:00 Kyiv time
Language: English (with Ukrainian translation)
Topic: Ukraine’s reconstruction will involve rebuilding towns, infrastructure, industry, schools, hospitals, as well as water and energy utilities. As the massive financing proposals and recovery plans for Ukraine take shape, the participation of the wider public in the decision-making and scrutiny of these documents is urgently needed. The application of these democratic principles will ensure that Ukrainian civil society and communities get to co-own the reconstruction plans and reap the long-term benefits. This webinar is the second in a series dedicated to this topic.
The first webinar in the series was launched on 26 October, 2023 with Team Lead Gabriel Blanc (DG NEAR.E, European Commission) and the Deputy Minister of Economics, Taras Kachka (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.
What is the EU funds partnership principle and why does it matter? The EU partnership principle is the guiding model for ensuring that best practices on public participation are applied to EU financial instruments. The Regulation on the Ukraine Facility, a proposed new EU instrument designed to guide the reconstruction and modernisation of the country, is expected to integrate the partnership principle. Adding this provision to the Regulation will ensure that accountability and transparency are incorporated into the Ukraine Plan (the basis for the disbursement of the funds) for the benefit of both national and international stakeholders.
How is the partnership principle applied within the EU? The involvement of civil society in the monitoring of EU funds in EU Member States is regulated by the partnership principle, as stipulated in the European Code of Conduct on Partnership. The Code of Conduct defines how governments and managing authorities must engage with stakeholders during the preparation, implementation and monitoring of partnership agreements and operational programmes in order to create a structured and open space for exchange with partners.
Our speakers unpacked the following questions:
- What is the partnership principle and why does it matter for EU funds?
- How has the partnership principle been applied in other countries?
- How can it be utilised to support Ukraine’s reconstruction?
- What steps need to be taken to start implementing the partnership principle?
We are delighted to have heard from the following speakers:
- Miroslav Mojžiš, Project Partnership in Slovakia
- Krzysztof Mrozek, Polish Green Network
- Juraj Melichár, CEPA – Friends of the Earth Slovakia
- Mariia Lukyanova, Ecoaction/Bankwatch
- Facilitator: Vladlena Martsynkevych, CEE Bankwatch Network
Presentations from the webinar:
