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Event Report: The Future of Democracy Support 

Written by Irina Roman on . Posted in Uncategorized.

The Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG) of the European Parliament organised a high-level conference on “The Future of Democracy Support” on 18–19 March 2026 in Brussels. The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and Council Presidencies, international partners, practitioners, and experts to reflect on how the European Union can sustain and sharpen its democracy support agenda in an increasingly complex global environment. 

The DEG plays a central role in providing political guidance on election observation, supporting national parliaments beyond the EU’s borders, coordinating Sakharov Prize Community activities and facilitating mediation and dialogue initiatives. Fourteen civil society representatives from the Republic of Moldova participated in the conference as part of an advocacy mission organised by Promo-LEX Association and facilitated by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. 

Over two days, discussions focused on the EU’s evolving role as a global democracy actor amid profound geopolitical shifts, including renewed great power competition, democratic backsliding and a contested multilateral order. Participants emphasised that the EU’s commitment to democracy support remains both a legal obligation and a strategic necessity. However, delivering on this commitment requires renewed political will, stronger coherence across institutions, and clearer prioritisation. Democracy promotion was consistently framed not as an optional foreign policy tool, but as a core pillar of European security and stability. 

Financing emerged as a central challenge, especially in the context of ongoing negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will shape the EU’s external action instruments in the years ahead. While programmes such as Global Europe provide essential resources, concerns were raised about fragmentation, insufficient funding, and a lack of long-term predictability, particularly for civil society actors. Participants called for better alignment between financial tools and political priorities, stronger conditionality linked to rule of law and democratic standards and sustained investment in independent media, electoral integrity and civic space. 

The “battle of narratives” was another key theme. Participants warned that authoritarian actors are increasingly effective in shaping global discourse through disinformation, strategic communication, and coordinated influence operations. By contrast, the EU’s narrative on democracy was seen as overly defensive and less compelling internationally. A strong call emerged for a more proactive, positive, and inclusive narrative which presents democracy as a universal aspiration and connects it to citizens’ everyday concerns. Addressing perceived double standards and ensuring greater consistency in external action were also identified as essential to maintain the EU’s credibility. 

Democratic resilience in the digital age was also a major focus, particularly in enlargement and neighbourhood countries. Digital platforms were described as both a risk and an opportunity. While disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and AI-generated content pose growing threats to electoral integrity and public trust, digital tools can also enhance citizen engagement and accountability. Experiences in partner countries, such as Moldova, underscored how fragile media ecosystems, foreign influence and declining funding exacerbate societal vulnerabilities. In this context, civil society organisations in Moldova play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s security and democratic resilience by addressing disinformation and FIMI through independent analysis and expertise, particularly during election periods. Their work supports public institutions, engages local communities and reinforces independent media, while also helping to communicate the tangible benefits of EU integration to citizens. 

Finally, participants stressed the need for a more structured and strategic approach to bringing together democracy supporters across institutions and regions. This includes enhancing coordination among EU institutions, Member States and international partners, and mainstreaming democracy support across all policy areas.  

EaP CSF Regranting to Members Lot 2 – addressing Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum’s advocacy priorities – selected projects for 2026

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1. Empowering EaP National Youth Councils for Regional Impact  

Lead applicant: Armenian Progressive Youth, Armenia.  

Co-applicants: National Youth Council of Moldova; Belarusian National Youth Council, RADA; National Youth Council of Ukraine. Implementation period is 8 months.  

This project aims to strengthen the institutional role of National Youth Councils (NYCs) in the Eastern Partnership region by enhancing their organisational resilience, strategic positioning, and capacity to access and manage resources. NYCs play a vital role in policy dialogue and youth advocacy, yet they often face significant challenges, including limited institutional capacity, restrictive political environments, and weak financial sustainability.  

2. Bridging the Gap: Advancing Child-Friendly Justice in EaP Countries 

Lead applicant: Alliance of NGOs active in the field of Child and Family Protection, Moldova.  

Co-applicants: Partnership for Every Child, Ukraine; “Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre” NGO, Armenia; Armenia Journalists’ Club “Asparez” NGO, Armenia; Center for the Study of Democracy, Bulgaria. Implementation period is 6 months. 

The project aims to promote stronger prevention services and alternatives to detention through evidence-based advocacy by APSCF with partners from Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, and Bulgaria. The project combines a regional mapping of effective legal and community-based practices with peer learning, including a study visit and expert-led training on European models of diversion (actions that could divert children away from detention), rehabilitation, and restorative justice. The project will result in a joint position paper translating evidence into clear policy recommendations to expand and improve alternatives to detention.  

3. Advocacy for CSOs in times of uncertainty 

Lead applicant: Center for Policies and Reforms, Moldova. Co-applicants: “NGO Center”, Armenia; Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition, Ukraine. Implementation period is 5 months.  

The project aims to support civic engagement in the Eastern Partnership – particularly in Moldova, Armenia, and Ukraine – by strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations to engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, resilience-building, and public participation. It will also promote collaboration and peer learning among CSOs through a series of participatory online trainings and a spring school on advocacy in times of uncertainty.   

4. Pathways to Justice: A regional dialogue on judicial reforms: Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, conference

Lead applicant: Protection of Rights without Borders, Armenia.  

Co-applicant: Legal Resources Center, Moldova. Implementation period is 2 months.  

The project will examine judicial reform practices in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova, assessing key achievements, shortcomings, and the factors driving them. By analysing each country’s reform approach – covering both legal changes and institutional implementation – the project will identify common challenges, successful strategies, and remaining gaps. The work will culminate in a dedicated conference, followed by a targeted advocacy campaign. 

EaP Senior Officials’ Meeting, 19 March 2026

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The Chair of the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Mr. Lasha Tughushi, held a speech at the Senior Officials’ Meeting, the executive meeting bringing together the European Commission, EEAS, and high-level civil servants from the EU Member States and the EaP countries.

Speech by Mr. Lasha Tughushi, Chair of the EaP CSF Steering Committee

“Dear representatives of European Institutions and Member States,

Dear Eastern Partners, 

Dear colleagues, 

I am honoured to speak to you today on behalf of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. 

Over the past years, the Eastern Partnership has provided structured channels for civil society to participate in policymaking, regional networks, and dialogue with the European Union.  

This encouraged cross-border cooperation and helped reinforce democratic resilience across the region.  

Despite geopolitical shifts, internal political crises, and ongoing conflicts – regional trends indicate that EaP civil society remains crucial for democratic development, the rule of law, and European integration.  

Yet – authoritarian pressures, shrinking resources, limited institutionalised participation, and disinformation campaigns are undermining civil society’s operations.  

EU enlargement remains an existential goal for the EaP countries. 

And EU accession a security guarantee for Ukraine. 

The strength of Ukrainian civil society is the foundation of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of the ongoing Russia’s war of aggression.  

Amid war, Ukrainian civil society continues to push for reforms engaging in defence, governance, and recovery efforts.  

The war has significantly strained human resources in the civic sector, yet civil society remains remarkably active.  

However, there is a trend towards narrowing civic space in terms of access to information and participation in decision-making.  

In the Republic of Moldova, civil society is a key partner and supporter of EU integration and policy reform.  

At the same time, it still faces threats from pro-Russian politicians through smear campaigns and legal harassment. 

We believe that the accession process to the European Union for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova should be accelerated. 

Over the last years, in Armenia, civil society gained strong public support. 

There, civil society actively monitors government policies and contributes to key reforms on anti-corruption and the judiciary.  

However – looking at June’s parliamentary elections – its watchdog functions are weakened by limited resources, in a context where disinformation and hybrid threats from abroad are intensifying.  

In this regard, Armenian civil societies are being actively supported by their Moldovan colleagues through capacity building in order to counter anti-EU narrative spread during elections, and provide correct and comprehensive information to the public. 

There is a new kind of momentum in the country. Civil society and pro-European political forces are joining efforts to shape the country’s political agenda. 

The law launching Armenia’s accession process to the EU was submitted through the efforts of the “Eurovote” civic initiative, whose founding members are primarily representatives of the Armenian National Platform of the Civil Society Forum. 

Armenia’s accelerated EU integration efforts are an inspiration for its neighbors. 

In Georgia, my home country, civil society, activists, and democratic forces continue a sustained, daily fight to maintain democratic freedoms, despite escalating repression – including the recent package of laws tightening control over foreign funding for NGOs and media.  

EU flexible funding instruments are needed to continue support Georgian civil society – including for organisations forced to flee the country due to criminal persecution.  

Support for Georgian civil society in this challenging context constitutes a strong impetus for the country’s return to the European family. 

In Azerbaijan, civil society continues to face restrictions on operations, foreign funding and registration of grants.  

Independent media are under high pressure.  

Activists face arrests and harassment, while human rights activists living in exile are also faced with acts of intimidation.  

The establishment of mechanisms and coordinated fora for international donors and NGOs should be promoted to coordinate strategies for supporting civil society and media. 

The Forum will continue to channel the voice of Belarusian civil society.  

Systematic dismantling of organisations and forced exile of activists continue, while grassroots movements inside the country remain largely invisible.  

Under these circumstances, continuing to support civil society operating from abroad remains vital. 

In this diversified environment, the Eastern Partnership policy can be leveraged to: 

  1. Maintain connections between civil society actors;  
  1. Strengthen resilience against hybrid threats, disinformation and external interferences – through capacity building and technical assistance; 
  1. Facilitate dialogue via regular fora; and  
  1. Coordinate targeted support through: 
  • flexible and innovative instruments for civil society operating in restrictive environment; and  
  • civil society intermediaries from other EaP countries. 

Speaking about the EaP Multi-Annual Workplan, we are glad to see that interaction with the EU Member States is reflected in the planned regional events for 2026.  

A strong focus on digital transformation and transition, and connectivity, results evident from the calendar, in line with the strategic approach to the Black Sea.  

Existing partnerships in trade, energy, transport and digital sectors in the South Caucasus will be instrumental in unlocking investment opportunities within the Black Sea.  

At the same time, civil society’s oversight will be essential to ensure that these will be to the benefit of the communities.  

To this end, civil society should be able to take part in structured consultation mechanisms with local actors.  

The working group for gender equality remains an important forum where civil society experts – including Belarusian civil society – share recommendations on gender-based violence and women’s access to justice andbring success stories from the countries. 

The Civil Society Forum will continue to engage with relevant actors to work on its flagship projects. I will conclude by mentioning two of them.  

  1. In May, in Stockholm, 100 youth representatives will gather in the EaP Youth Conference to discuss the importance of youth civic spaces in the Eastern Partnership. Youth civic spaces enable young people to participate in public life and engage in reform process. In a context where key electoral campaigns were marked by active online disinformation, young people assess the information they encounter online, identify sources they can trust, and make well-informed decisions.
  1. And second: after 8 years, the Civil Society Summit is back in an EaP country. In November, Chisinau will host the largest gathering of civil society representatives from the EaP and the EU, who will discuss the most pressing questions regarding the region, countries and policy.  

I will stop here. Thank you for your attention. I wish you a productive continuation of the meeting.”

How Art and Culture are Helping Sustain Civic Space in Belarus

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The interview was conducted with Nadzeya Haretskaya, ArtPower Belarus representative, Deputy Director of Belarusian Council for Culture.

ArtPower Belarus is an EU-funded cultural support programme implemented by the Danish Cultural Institute in partnership with the Belarusian Council for Culture. Its core mission is to safeguard Belarusian civic space through culture and the arts.

They support independent Belarusian cultural and artistic initiatives by strengthening their role and capacities as democratic change-makers. In practice, this means supporting projects that enhance the quality and visibility of Belarusian culture, connecting creators and audiences on both sides of the border, developing professional networks, improving working conditions for cultural actors, and supporting their integration into the European cultural space.

This program was created thanks to ongoing advocacy by its partners, who highlighted the importance of culture in supporting democratic change within EU policies and cooperation. Because of this, culture is now seen as a key priority for support.

How can art and culture keep civic space alive and open up more public dialogue in Belarus?

Nadzeya Haretskaya: “In the Belarusian context, culture is not only about heritage preservation or artistic expression. It is also one of the few spaces where society can continue to reflect, connect, and imagine itself beyond authoritarian control.

Art and culture help sustain civic space because they preserve language, memory, values, and the ability to speak to one another across borders, generations, and experiences. They create common ground for public dialogue not only among Belarusians in exile, but also between people inside the country and those outside it. In a fragmented and repressed environment, culture often remains the most accessible platform for trust-building and for maintaining a sense of shared belonging.

At the same time, the situation in Belarus makes it clear that authoritarian regimes not only understand the power of culture — they fear it.”

Artists, cultural institutions, memory work, and independent media are among the first targets of repression precisely because culture shapes identity, resilience, and democratic imagination. In this sense, supporting culture means supporting civic resilience, public dialogue, and, ultimately, the foundations of a democratic future.

Looking back at the first edition of the program, are there any projects or collaborations that particularly stood out to you? What made them memorable?

Nadzeya Haretskaya: “Looking back at the first edition of ArtPower Belarus, we could highlight several different layers of impact. Some of the most important initiatives we supported were those implemented inside Belarus or involving participants based in Belarus. For obvious security reasons, many of them could not be made public, but for us they were extremely important because they demonstrated that cultural life inside the country continues despite repression and isolation. It is also important to note that scale and visibility did not always go hand in hand: some of the smallest projects were fully public, while some of the largest initiatives could not be disclosed at all.

There were highly visible public projects that reached broad audiences and showed the scale and diversity of independent Belarusian culture from opera, theatre, film, music, and visual art to media, publishing, and education.

These projects were memorable because they did not simply produce cultural content; they created spaces for meeting, reflection, solidarity, and visibility.

One of the most strategically important outcomes was the emergence and strengthening of professional associations, networks, and sector-based communities. We see this as long-term infrastructure work: not only supporting individual creators, but also helping cultural actors organise, cooperate, and represent themselves more effectively.

More broadly, the first edition of the programme supported 140 projects and mobility opportunities, including 83 creative projects and 57 mobility grants. It also helped launch an art management school, two major studies of the cultural sector, a series of analytical reviews, and the ongoing work of the Resource Center and Guest Space. This combination of direct project support, mobility, research, and ecosystem-building is what made the first edition particularly meaningful. 79 more projects have already been supported within the current edition of the ArtPower Belarus programme.”

What kind of impact does this type of cultural funding have both for the individual artists involved and for the wider Belarusian cultural ecosystem?

Nadzeya Haretskaya: “For individual artists and cultural actors, this kind of funding provides much more than short-term financial support. It creates opportunities to continue working professionally, to experiment, to travel, to present work internationally, to build partnerships, and to remain visible in a situation where many have lost institutions, infrastructure, and access to audiences. For many participants, ArtPower Belarus was also a way to regain a sense of continuity, dignity, and connection with a wider professional community.

For the broader ecosystem, the impact is structural. Cultural funding helps maintain and rebuild networks, institutions, and professional standards. It enables collaborations across countries and sectors, connects Belarusian creators with European partners, and strengthens the long-term infrastructure needed for independent cultural life to survive and develop.

It is also important to underline that we do not see this support as limited to projects in exile. One of its major values is that it helps maintain links between Belarusians inside the country and outside it between creators, communities, and audiences on both sides of the border. In this sense, cultural funding does not only support artistic production; it helps preserve the continuity of Belarusian civic and cultural space itself.

At the same time, demand still far exceeds available resources. We would like to especially acknowledge and thank the European Union for its consistent support of Belarusian culture and civil society. This trust and partnership have made it possible not only to implement the first edition of the programme, but also to continue and expand this work in its next phase. Belarusian culture is not a peripheral issue, it is part of Europe’s democratic resilience and an important element of the country’s future.“

Statement by the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum on the reported acts of intimidation against Azerbaijani civil society activists

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Azerbaijani civil society and exiled activists and journalists continue to defend fundamental rights despite operating in an increasingly repressive environment. Yet, they have long faced persistent threats, systematic pressure and acts of intimidation. Such unacceptable practices create a climate of fear within diaspora communities and aim to extend control beyond national borders. 

The Chair of the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF), Lasha Tugushi, expresses deep concern over reports of alleged intimidation targeting Azerbaijani civil society organisations and human rights activists. A notable example is the incident allegedly occurred to Emin Huseynov, a member of the EaP CSF and independent Azerbaijani journalist, perpetrated by unidentified individuals in Geneva, after Mr. Huseynov sought to raise legitimate questions regarding the state of democracy and fundamental freedoms in the country during the Munich Security Conference. If confirmed, such actions would represent a disturbing example of transnational repression aimed at silencing critical voices beyond Azerbaijan’s borders.

Since 2015, Emin Huseynov has lived in exile in Switzerland after spending ten months at the Swiss Embassy in Baku due to fears of politically motivated detention linked to his work as Chair of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. His case symbolises the severe constraints placed on independent media and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan.

This latest episode serves as yet another reminder of the Azerbaijani authorities’ continued disregard for freedom of expression, independent journalism and political pluralism. The use of intimidation, surveillance, criminalisation and forced exile to silence critics reflects a broader pattern of repression that has driven many journalists and activists to seek safety abroad. 

In full solidarity with Emin Huseynov and with all Azerbaijani civil society activists, both within the country and abroad, the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: 

  • Strongly condemns any acts of transnational repression against Azerbaijani human rights defenders and journalists,
  • Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately cease all forms of harassment, intimidation and politically motivated persecution of journalists, activists, and members of the political opposition, regardless of where they reside,
  • Calls on the European Union and its Member States to address transnational repression as a matter of urgency in their engagement with Azerbaijan and to ensure that protection mechanisms for exiled human rights defenders are strengthened. 

Moldova’s EU Integration – An analysis through the lens of the Eastern Partnership Index 

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On 26 February 2026, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation – Europe Office, in cooperation with the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, organised a discussion drawing on the 2021, 2023 and 2025 editions of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Index to examineMoldova’s EU integration trajectory. The presentation of the Eastern Partnership Index by Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager, set the tone for a forward-looking and candid reflection on Moldova’s EU accession path. The Index was described as a valuable complement to the European Commission’s annual enlargement assessment reports, particularly for integrating civil society perspectives into the evaluation of reform progress.  

A key milestone on Moldova’s path was the catalytic effect of 2022. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reshaped the geopolitical environment, accelerating Moldova’s application process, the setting of conditionality and the overall pace of legislative alignment. Despite sustainedRussia’s interference during the referendum and the last elections, participants pointed to Moldova’s ability, backed by political will and international support, to push back destabilising narratives and advance democratic standards. Energy independence was also highlighted as a strategic achievement with far-reaching democratic implications, strengthening sovereignty and institutional autonomy. The country’s reform drive was characterised as proof that movement away from entrenched dependency structures as was the case in the energy sector is possible, even under acute pressure.  

At the same time, it was noted that certain dimensions of Moldova’s transformation are difficult for any index to fully capture. Likewise, the complexity of foreign interference, ranging from illicit financing to increasingly adaptive disinformation tactics, poses clear methodological challenges when assessing democratic performance and warrants a rethinking of traditional monitoring tools. For example, long-term influence operations are rarely fully captured by short-term election observation formats focused primarily on election-day procedures, leaving significant dimensions of democratic resilience outside conventional assessment frameworks.   

Looking ahead, the discussion underscored both urgency and opportunity. The accession process is entering a technically demanding phase, with benchmarks and clusters requiring sustained administrative capacity. Public administration reform was described as cross-cutting and critical to all other chapters. A substantial legislative workload lies ahead, making coordination, vigilance, and continued civil society engagement essential. 

Communication and trust-building emerged as equally important. While indexes and chapter negotiations guide the process, citizens, both in Moldova and across EU member states, respond to tangible outcomes. Delivering visible improvements and explaining their impact will be essential to maintaining support for enlargement. The overall message was one of determined momentum. Moldova’s EU integration path remains complex and exposed to pressure, but recent progress demonstrates resilience and institutional maturation. The current window of opportunity should be used decisively, embedding reforms in ways that make them sustainable and, ultimately, irreversible. 

In memoriam

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The civil society community of Armenia and the whole Eastern Partnership region has lost one of its most dedicated and compassionate human rights voices.

Edgar Khachatryan, National Facilitator of the Armenian National Platform and Steering Committee member of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum has passed away on 28 February 2026, leaving behind a profound sorrow.

As founder and director of Peace Dialogue NGO, Edgar worked tirelessly to promote peace, human rights, and reconciliation in Armenia and across the wider South Caucasus region. He brought together communities separated by conflict, gave a voice to those who were marginalised or silenced, and worked tirelessly to support the peace efforts through inclusive, forward-looking civil society engagement.

Beyond his professional achievements, Edgar will be remembered for his rare kindness and humanity, and an attentive presence that made everyone around him feel seen, heard, and understood. For those who had the privilege of knowing him, the time spent with Edgar meant honest conversations, shared laughter, and the comforting feeling that you were in the company of someone who genuinely cared.

Edgar’s passing leaves the peace-building community across the Eastern Partnership region poorer. Edgar’s legacy will continue to live on through the organisations he built, the initiatives he led, and the people he crossed paths with, colleagues, partners and peace builders he inspired and mentored.

Edgar’s legacy will never be forgotten. His work will continue, and the initiatives he inspired will only keep growing.

EaP CSF Statement – Condemnation on the Tragic Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

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Brussels, 24 February 2026

We, the Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued full-scale aggression. 

Russia’s aggression is a direct assault on democracy, human rights, and the rules-based international order in Europe to redraw borders by force, undermine the foundations of European security, and normalise impunity for international crimes.

The ongoing invasion continues to inflict immense human suffering. Civilians are killed and injured daily. Millions remain internally displaced or have sought refuge abroad. Entire cities, towns, and villages have been devastated. Critical infrastructure—energy, water, healthcare, transport, and education systems—has been deliberately and systematically targeted. These consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, affecting economic stability, food security, and democratic resilience across the wider EU’s neighbourhood. Repeated strikes on power generation and transmission facilities have left countless households without electricity and heating during extremely harsh conditions—Ukrainian cities have been pushed to the brink of survival this winter. These actions constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and reflect Russia’s intentional strategy to weaponise winter, terrorise civilians, and erode societal resilience.

Building on significant progress in reforms and European integration, Ukraine continues to strengthen its democratic institutions and align with EU standards. Despite relentless attacks, Ukrainian civil society, journalists, human rights defenders, volunteers, and local communities continue to provide humanitarian assistance, support displaced populations, document violations of international law, counter disinformation, and uphold democratic governance. Their work demonstrates that civil society remains both a humanitarian lifeline and a pillar of democratic accountability under wartime conditions.

We recall the Resolution of the EaP Civil Society Summit 2025, adopted at the EaP Civil Society Summit in Brussels on 2 December 2025, which highlighted the central role of Ukrainian civil society in sustaining resilience and democratic reform, and the importance of its meaningful participation in reconstruction and EU pre-accession processes.

We call upon the European Union, its Member States, and the international community to sustain and intensify comprehensive support for Ukraine, through:

  • Supporting Ukraine’s EU aspirations and its integration into the EU;
  • Continued and predictable military assistance enabling Ukraine to defend its population and territory;
  • Rapid restoration and protection of critical civilian infrastructure; as this winter ends, urgent adaptation of urban infrastructure is essential to ensure resilience and prevent systemic disruption this year and in the winter seasons ahead;
  • Financial and macroeconomic assistance to safeguard public institutions and essential services;
  • Long-term reconstruction funding grounded in transparency, anti-corruption safeguards, rule of law principles, and alignment with EU accession reforms;
  • Promoting the most just and durable peace for Ukraine in full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence;
  • Strong protection and flexible, multi-year funding for Ukrainian civil society organisations and independent media.

We call for enhanced cooperation between EU Member States, Ukrainian institutions and local authorities to invest in human capital to support community-based mental health services, rehabilitation, professional training, educational exchanges and measures to facilitate and support the safe return of Ukrainians to their homes once conditions allow. Preserving and restoring human capital has emerged as one of Ukraine’s key challenges during the war and post-war recovery period. Investing in human capital is a mean to rebuild communities, retain talent, and support veterans, women, youth, and displaced persons in returning to productive roles in society.  

We reaffirm our strong support for independent media and civil society organisations whose work in documenting atrocities, countering disinformation, and sustaining civic participation is indispensable for Ukraine’s democratic future and for informing the international community about the realities and consequences of the war. The current systematic attempts to silence independent voices and persecution of Ukrainian environmental activists and journalists reflects broader efforts by Russian authorities to intimidate independent reporting and civic engagement.

We reiterate our call for frozen Russian state assets to be directed towards Ukraine’s defence, humanitarian needs, reconstruction, and recovery in full compliance with international law and through transparent, accountable mechanisms. We also underline the necessity for EU Member States to fully discontinue the purchase of Russian energy resources.

 We call on the European Union and its Member States to urgently adopt the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, ensuring it remains robust and comprehensive, and to refrain from any unilateral actions that would delay or dilute the EU’s unified response. Sanctions remain a central instrument in constraining the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war. 

We underscore the importance of continued and strengthened international efforts to ensure accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, the crime of aggression, and large-scale environmental destruction. Full cooperation with the International Criminal Court, the establishment of a special tribunal on the crime of aggression, and effective reparations and compensation mechanisms are indispensable for a durable peace, deterrence of future aggression, and restoration of justice.

The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum 

EaP CSF Statement on Ukraine 24.02.2026Download

EaP CSF Statement on Threats Against Ukrainian Environmental Activist Vladyslav Balinskyy

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Joint Statement by the EaP CSF Steering Committee on Threats Against Ukrainian Environmental Activist Vladyslav Balinskyy – Brussels, 4 February 2026 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) stands in solidarity with its member organisation, the National Ecological Center of Ukraine, which recently released a statement, and urgently draws attention to the case of Vladyslav Balinskyy, a prominent Ukrainian environmental activist, researcher, and journalist, as there is a real, immediate, and serious threat to his life and safety, linked directly to his professional, scientific, and civic activity. 

Since 2014, Vladyslav Balinskyy has faced systematic persecution by the Russian Federation because of his research, investigative work, and civic engagement. This pressure escalated significantly after 2022 in response to his active role in documenting Russian war crimes and acts of ecocide. Both official and unofficial Russian outlets have waged a sustained disinformation campaign against Vladyslav Balinskyy.  Moreover, in 2025, the Russian Federation initiated criminal proceedings against Vladyslav Balinskyy in absentia – an illustrative case of lawfare employed not to pursue justice, but to legitimise further repression and potential violence.  

Credible information indicates that Vladyslav Balinskyy is facing significant risks as a result of his work. The National Ecological Center of Ukraine therefore underscores the gravity of this situation and stresses the urgent need for heightened international awareness and appropriate protective measures. 

In this regard, we condemn any attempts to intimidate, persecute, physically harm, or silence civil society activists and journalists. Actions and activities originating from the Russia Federation constitute a serious and growing threat – not only to individual activists in Ukraine, but also to civil society and independent journalism across the entire Eastern Partnership region. 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: 

  • Calls on the international community, EU institutions, EU Member States, and human rights organisations to take immediate and serious note of the threats faced by Vladyslav Balinskyy and to provide timely and meaningful support.  
  • Urges all relevant actors to make full use of available diplomatic, political, and protective instruments to ensure his personal safety and security. 
  • Calls on the European Union and its Member States to develop and implement effective, concrete and coordinated measures to protect civil society activists in Ukraine who investigate Russia’s international crimes and work to ensure accountability for perpetrators. 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum remains united in its full support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their courageous struggle for freedom, democracy, and a European future, as outlined in the Resolution of the EaP Civil Society Summit 2025.  

The Steering Committee of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum 

View the Statement here: EaP CSF Statement 2026 Vladyslav Balinskyy 1Download

2025 EaP Civil Society Summit Report

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From 2 to 4 December 2025, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) organised the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Summit in Brussels, Belgium. The Summit gathered more than 300 participants, including representatives of over 129 civil society organisations from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries and the European Union (EU), alongside officials from EU institutions and Member States, and Brussels-based organisations working on the region.

The Summit provided a high-level platform for dialogue and coordination between civil society actors and institutional stakeholders. The event featured contributions from high-level speakers, including Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement; Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia; Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova; Radim Sršeň, Deputy Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic and Member of the European Committee of the Regions; and Jakub Wudarski, Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland for the Eastern Partnership.

Discussions focused on key topics affecting the Eastern Partnership region, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, democratic and societal resilience, enlargement and the future of the EaP post 2027, disinformation and propaganda, security and regional connectivity, youth and gender equality.  Participants also discussed the current situation of civil society organisations in the region, including key challenges and best practices, and put forward recommendations for donors.

During the Summit, 108 civil society organisations adopted the 2025 Resolution, which sets out key policy priorities and recommendations for EU institutions, national authorities, and international partners. The Resolution will guide the EaP CSF’s advocacy work in the coming months, with a particular focus on democratic resilience and civil society enabling environments.  

The Summit also included a formal recognition of the contributions of civil society organisations across the region. At a ceremony held at the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium, and hosted byVincent Blondel, President of the Belgian Senate, Marta Kos, EuropeanCommissioner for Enlargement, andChristophe de Nijs, Director General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium presented the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Award for their courageous work to representatives of Azerbaijan’s Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD) and Ukraine’s Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism.”

The event was made possible thanks to the support of the European Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Belgian Senate, the Permanent Representations of Poland and Austria to the European Union, as well as ForumCiv,  the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF),  the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),  the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS Europe), and Europe MediaLab.

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We invite you to read the 2025 EaP Civil Society Summit Report by clicking on this link or through the display below.