Event Type: Discussion

📅 Date: 26 February 2026  

⏰ Time: 10:30-13:00 CET    

📍Location: 11, Avenue de l’Yser, B-1040 Brussels

Over the past five years, Moldova has emerged as one the frontrunners of European integration within the Eastern Partnership. Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, acute energy and security pressure and persistent disinformation campaigns, Chișinău has not only reaffirmed its European choice but translated it into tangible steps towards EU membership.

The last three editions of the Eastern Partnership Index (2021, 2023, 2025) document this trajectory from a civil society perspective. The 2021 edition provides a pre-full-scale war baseline of Moldova’s approximation to the EU acquis and standards. The 2023 Index captures the acceleration of reforms and legislative alignment following the granting of EU candidate status in 2022. The 2025 edition demonstrates the extent of Moldova’s progress in political association, economic integration, rule of law and sectoral alignment. It highlights in particular significant advances with regard to the justice sector reform, anticorruption efforts and regulatory approximation to EU norms.

Undoubtedly, this progress has been driven by several actors committed to bringing Moldova closer to the EU. Moldovan civil society, independent media and a reform‑oriented public administration have been at the forefront of the country’s EU integration process. Civil society organisations have monitored reforms, advocated for higher standards and kept EU commitments high on the political agenda.

Independent media have exposed abuses, countered disinformation and helped build public understanding of what EU integration means in practice. At the same time, efforts to professionalise and modernise the public administration have been essential for turning political will into sustained, day‑to‑day implementation of the EU acquis.

Hosted by the Europe Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, this event will use the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Index 2025, together with the 2021 and 2023 editions, to unpack Moldova’s EU integration trajectory and its implications for the EU’s enlargement and neighbourhood policies. How does Moldova’s performance in the EaP Index reflect its progress in political association, economic integration and rule-of-law reforms? What role do civil society, independent media and public administration reform play in monitoring, advancing and sustaining the country’s EU integration agenda? And what lessons can be drawn from Moldova’s experience for the EU’s engagement with other Eastern Partnership countries?

These and other timely questions will be addressed during our index presentation and roundtable discussion “Moldova’s EU integration: an analysis through the lens of the Eastern Partnership Index”. For the presentation of the index’s findings, we are pleased to welcome Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum. For the subsequent panel reflection, we will furthermore be joined by H.E. Daniela Morari, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the EU and Allan Jones, Head of Unit C.2 (“Moldova”) at DG ENEST. The discussion will be moderated by Alexandra Sabou and will be held under Chatham House Rules.

Agenda

10:30 – 10:35 Welcoming remarks

• Jonas Althoff, Policy Advisor, Europe Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

10:35 – 11:00 Presentation of the index’s findings

• Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

11:00 – 12:00 Panel Discussion: Moldova’s EU integration: an analysis through the lens of the Eastern Partnership Index

• H.E. Daniela Morari, Head of Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union
• Allan Jones, Head of Unit ‘Moldova’, DG ENEST, European Commission
• Moderator: Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

12:00 – 13:00 Networking lunch

Empowering the Geopolitical EU  in the Eastern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans

📅Date: 19 February 2026                     ⏰Time: 12:00 CET                             🔗Register here.

The Eastern Partnership (EaP) region has become a central front line in the contest between democratic integration and forceful authoritarian influence. The radically transformed geopolitical environment raises the question of whether the EaP region can adapt to the realities of war and intensified geopolitical competition.  

The GEO-POWER-EU project, with the support of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, invites you to join the discussion around GEO-POWER-EU’s latest publication “The Relevance of the Eastern Partnership”, which examines whether and how the Eastern Partnership can adapt to the radically transformed geopolitical environment following Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. 

The discussion will focus on three key questions: 

• Can the Eastern Partnership adapt to today’s geopolitical and security realities? 

• What do different partner countries expect from the EaP at this stage? 

• How should the EU reshape its approach to remain an effective geopolitical actor in its Eastern neighborhood? 

The webinar will take place on Zoom on 19 February 2026 at 12:00 CET. To register, please fill out this form by 17 February: [link] 

Agenda

12:00 Welcoming remarks and Introduction

• Alexandra Sabou, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager, Secretariat of the EaP Civil Society Forum
• Asuman Kübra Baș, Head of Projects and Research, European Neighbourhood Council
• Kakha Gogolashvili, Director of EU Studies, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

12:10 Panel Discussion

Professor, Olga Brusylovska, Chair, Department of International Relations, Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University

Associate Professor, Iryna Maksymenko, Department of International Relations, Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University

Moderator: Kakha Gogolashvili Director of EU Studies, Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

12:40 Q&A & Open Discussion

13:00 Closing Remarks

For any questions you may have about the event, please contact advocacy@eap-csf.eu.

*** The GEO-POWER-EU project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 10113292. ***

This event is now closed but you can read the report from the Center for New Ideas on this link.

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The EU has positioned itself as a vocal supporter of democratic change in Belarus, offering unprecedented levels of political and financial support to Belarusian civil society. Yet despite these efforts, Europe’s image in Belarus remains deeply ambivalent.  

While for many Belarusians the EU represents solidarity and democratic values, for others it is also associated with sanctions, mobility restrictions, and perceived inaction. State propaganda exploits these perceptions, painting the EU as both distant and ineffective. 

This event will present findings from a new study by the Center for New Ideas, based on focus groups, interviews, and media analysis. It will also propose ways forward: how the EU can better communicate its goals and support; how Belarusian actors – from independent media to civil society – are already engaging; and how a proactive model built on promote – explain – protect could reshape Europe’s standing among Belarusians. 

Agenda

16:00 – 16:05	Welcome Remarks
16:05 – 16:50	Research Presentation: Europe’s Uncertain Image in Belarus Mr Anton Radniankou, Chair of the Board, Center for New Ideas  Ms Alesia Rudnik, Director, Center for New Ideas  Mr Andrei Yahorau, Founder, Center for European Transformation
16:50 – 17:30	Q&A and Open Discussion

Last October 2024, Lukashenka announced anticipated presidential elections for January 26, 2025.

This illegitimate vote is expected to extend Lukashenka’s three-decade-long rule as he is seeking a seventh consecutive term in office after the 2020 fraudulent election, which was widely condemned by opposition groups and violently repressed by the government in a movement that continues unabated.

This online closed-door meeting will convene key stakeholders, policymakers, human rights advocates, and analysts to discuss the outcomes of the 2025 Belarusian presidential vote, its implications for Belarusian civil society, and the broader international response.

This event will take place on 27 January 2025, 14:00 – 15:30 CEST.

Registration for this event is now closed. You can read the EaP CSF statement on the sham election here.

This event is now closed. You can download the event report here.

How can social dialogue be enhanced to implement social justice and decent work policies across the Eastern Partnership countries?

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum is pleased to publish its Working Group 5 policy paper examining how social partners and civil society can play a more active and meaningful role in strengthening social dialogue across Eastern Partnership countries.

The paper specifically explores the mechanisms through which civil society organisations can contribute to the formulation and implementation of social justice and decent work policies. It focuses on identifying concrete actions that can be taken to enhance participation of EaP social partners and civil society in social dialogue processes, while considering the unique political, economic, and social contexts of different EaP countries.

We invite you to read the policy paper (see link below) and join us for the launch event by filling in the form below.

This event will take place on Tuesday 6 May 2025 between 14:00 – 16:00 CEST at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Avenue de Cortenbergh 120, 1000 Brussels.

Detailed programme

This event is upon registration only, see the form below. It will not be livestreamed. Please note this event has a capacity of 30 guests. Seats will be attributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event will be held as a hybrid roundtable.

13:30 – 14:00	Registration
14:00 – 14:10	Welcome remarks Mr Martin Vane, Interim Director, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) Ms Elen Manaseryan, EaP CSF Working Group 5 EaP Coordinator, President at Confederation of Trade Unions of Armenia
14:10 – 15:10	Panel debate Panellists: Ms Mariami Paposhvili, Policy Paper Consultant Mr Dumitru Fornea, Co-chair of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform, European Economic and Social Committee  Ms Goda Neverauskaite, Policy Advisor, European Trade Union Confederation Moderator: Mr Maxence Salendre, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
15:10 – 16:00	Q&A session

Additional resources

You can read or download the policy paper below.

This event is now closed. Please see the summary report here.

Introduction

Since the launch of the Eastern Partnership post-2020 agenda, the region has undergone profound transformations, shaped by geopolitical shifts, internal political crises, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine—which has arguably led to a multi-tiered Eastern Partnership. The EU’s engagement has evolved in response, balancing support for democratic reforms with the realities of political instability, economic hardship, and growing security threats. However, implementation gaps remain. 

The Eastern Partnership policy plays a vital role in providing safeguards in times of democratic backsliding, increasing authoritarianisms and democracy deficiencies, and remains the only channel for civil society to maintain dialogue within the EaP countries and with the European Union.  

Continuing investing in effective rule of law and democratic institutions is the only way not only to maintain the investments of the past but also, and most importantly, to secure long-term, sustainable change. Civil society acts as a driving force for democratic reforms and as a constant interlocutor, a platform for stakeholder communication within the Eastern Partnership countries and with the EU. However, shrinking civic spaces, growing state repression against civic activists, media and civil society, and the absence of structured participation mechanisms undermine its effectiveness. The halt of the US funding is further impacting civil society’s capacity to operate and remain relevant.  

The event will focus on the main challenges faced by civil society in participating in decision-making processes on national reforms on the rule of law in the Eastern Partnership countries and explores best practices to strengthen its influence while also addressing regional dynamics and shared challenges. 

We invite you to join us for a discussion on Wednesday 14 May 2025 between 11:30 – 13:00 CEST at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Avenue de Cortenbergh 120, 1000 Brussels. 

Agenda 

11.30 – 11.35	Welcome remarks  Mr Lasha Tugushi, Co-Chair, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
11.35 – 12.35	Speakers  Ms Anastasia Pociumban, Research Fellow at German Council on Foreign Relations, Author of the paper ‘Advancing democratisation in the Eastern Partnership countries: the role of civil society in national reforms, and European integration’ Ms Radica Nusdorfer, Team Leader for Good Governance and Inclusive Society, Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission  Ms Paloma Hall Caballero, Team Leader, Eastern Partnership and Regional Cooperation, Directorate for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, European External Action Service  Ms Maria Piechowska, Ukraine Analyst, The Polish Institute of International Affairs Moderator: Mr Andrea Raimondi, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
12.35 – 12.55	Q&A session
12.55 – 13.00	Conclusions  Ms Anh Helge, EU Coordinator of EaP CSF Working Group 1, Coordinator of the Swedish Network for the Eastern Partnership, ForumCiv
13:00 – 13:30	Networking lunch

This event is now closed. You can download the event report here.

Introduction

How can civil societies’ capacities be strengthened to build resilient democracies in the Eastern Partnership and in the European Union? 

The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum invites you for a discussion on the role of non-formal/informal education and empowerment of marginalised groups. We will discuss how media literacy can be leveraged to combat mis/disinformation and the role that lifelong learning can play in reaching sustainable development and digital transformation goals.

We will also investigate how to establish new ways of communicating between the EU and EaP to enhance regional cooperation and ensure the participation of civil society in decision-making and in countering anti-democratic and autocratic tendencies.

This event will take place on Tuesday 13 May, 10:00-12:00 CET at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Avenue de Cortenbergh 120, 1000 Brussels. 

Agenda

09:30 – 10:00	Welcome breakfast and registration
10:00 – 10:05	Welcome remarks Mr Martin Vane, Interim Director, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF)
10:05 – 11:20	Panel debate Ms. Nino Jibuti, Policy Paper Author Ms. Lena Karlsson, Expert and advisor on Gender Equality, Regional Strategy & Investments, Directorate General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission Mr. Marinko Raos, International Relations Officer, Enlargement, Eastern Partnership, European Committee of the Regions Moderator: Mr. Pascal Willaumez, Working Group 4 Focal Point, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
11:20 – 12:00	Q&A session

Additional resources

Read or download the EaP CSF policy paper “Resilient democracies in the EaP and the EU: Strengthening Civil Societies’ Capacities“.

This event is now closed. You can read the report here.

Introduction

This event will mark the launch of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) Working Group 2 latest policy paper, which explores the evolving role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in driving economic development and digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. 

The event aims to create a space for dialogue between policy experts, civil society representatives, and institutional stakeholders to reflect on the findings of the paper and to discuss practical strategies for enhancing CSO engagement in shaping economic and digital policy across the region.  

The policy paper highlights the dual role CSOs play in fostering inclusive governance and transparency, while also empowering SMEs and communities to leverage digital tools. The document presents both challenges and opportunities for CSO engagement and identifies best practices that can be scaled across the region. The analysis is structured across two main thematic pillars, economic development and digital transformation, each accompanied by a set of forward-looking policy recommendations. 

We invite you to join us for a discussion on Wednesday 21 May 2025 between 14:00 – 16:00 CEST at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Avenue de Cortenbergh 120, 1000 Brussels. 

Programme

14.00 – 14.10	Welcome remarks  Mr Martin Vane, Interim Director, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Ms Nino Elizbarashvili, Coordinator of the Working Group II, Georgian Association “Women in Business”
14.10 – 15.10	Panel debate   Ms Haykuhi Harutyunyan, President, Protection of Rights Without Border, Author of the WG2 Policy Paper  Mr Thibault Charlet, Programme Manager, Digital Transition and Economic Development, DG ENEST, European Commission  Ms Svitlana Taran, Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre Moderator: Ms Yana Brovdiy, Advocacy and EaP Index Manager, WG2 focal point, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
15.10 – 16.00	Q&A session

Additional Resources

This event is now closed. You can read the report here.

Introduction

In the Eastern Partnership (EaP) region, achieving environmental and climate resilience remains a challenge, further exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, whose consequences are impacting the whole region. The war caused enormous damage to the nature, polluted the air, water and soil, and led to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The war also influenced many aspects of ongoing reforms in the EaP countries, caused a slow down in the energy transition, and a further decline of environmental and climate priorities.  

All EaP countries are facing significant climate change related threats. Forest fires induced by droughts, extreme precipitation, heat waves, and mudslides are becoming more common. Besides the climate change impact, the biodiversity loss, water quality and quantity decline, deforestation, and urban air pollution are major environmental security issues for the EaP countries. Nevertheless, environmental degradation is not being perceived by the EaP countries’ governments, local authorities, business and the public as immediate danger.   

The event ‘Environmental security in the EaP countries: state of play, challenges and opportunities?’ will focus on the main environment and security challenges in the EaP countries and highlights the extent to which energy and climate change challenges impact environmental security in the EaP region.  

At the event, the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) will launch its thematic policy paper and create an occasion for dialogue between experts in the field of environment, climate and energy, and EU stakeholders. 

We invite you to join the discussion on Monday 2 June 2025 between 15:00 – 16:30 CEST at the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Avenue de Cortenbergh 120, 1000 Brussels. 

Programme

14.30 – 15.00	Registration and coffee
15.00 – 15.05	Welcome remarks Mr Martin Vane, Interim Director of the EaP CSF Secretariat
15.05 – 16.05	Panel debate   Panellists:  Ms Nataliya Andrusevych, EaP Coordinator of EaP CSF Working Group 3, Chair of the Governing Board of Resource and Analysis Center “Society and Environment”  Ms Angela Bularga, Programme Officer (Environment), Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), European Commission  Ms Sari Kouvo, Climate, Peace and Security Adviser, Peace, Partnerships and Crisis Management Directorate, European External Action Service Mr Matthew Griffiths, Senior Programme Manager, Green Growth and Global Relations Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development  Moderator: Ms Anastasia Murzanovska, WG3 focal point, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
16.05 – 16.30	Q&A Session
16.30 – 17.30	Networking reception

Additional resources

Download the Policy Paper Environmental security in the EaP countries: state of play, challenges and opportunities.

This event is now closed but you can read the event report here.

Introduction

In June 2024, the Republic of Moldova held its first Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union (EU), officially opening accession negotiations. This success was largely promoted by the Eastern Partnership policy, which set the ground for the country’s momentous progress towards EU accession. Opening accession negotiations provided impetus to Moldova’s internal reform agenda and marked a landmark moment for its citizens. Moldova’s European aspirations were further underscored by the 2024 presidential election and the constitutional referendum, where the Moldovan citizens confirmed Moldova’s commitment to join the EU.

Despite these achievements, Moldova’s democratic process remains under pressure. Both the presidential elections and referendum were overshadowed by an unprecedented assault on the country’s democracy. Russia’s proxies deployed vote buying schemes, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns via media and social platforms. Amidst the risk of vulnerability of Moldovan institutions to prevent and counter Russia’s interferences in the electoral process ahead of September’s parliamentary elections, resilient and stable institutions should be fully equipped to investigate cases of high-level corruption and criminal organised crimes.

Moldovan civil society plays a key role in strengthening Moldova’s ability to boost security resilience addressing disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) with expertise and independent analysis. Nevertheless, recent attacks on independent media and civil society organisations, exacerbated by a draft foreign agent law proposed by the parliamentary opposition, undermine their operations and risk shrinking civic space in a context where Russian political and civic groups are preparing the ground in view of September’s elections.

Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, attempts to destabilise Moldova have intensified, posing not only a threat to Moldova’s own security and sovereignty but also to the Eastern Partnership region and the EU’s external borders. The EU has taken concrete steps to support Moldova’s resilience. The EU Partnership Mission to Moldova, launched in 2023, enhanced cybersecurity and capacity to respond to hybrid threats. In May 2024, the EU and Moldova signed for the first time a Security and Defence Partnership, boosting cooperation on countering FIMI, cyber and hybrid threats, including disinformation.

In view of Moldova’s pivotal parliamentary elections, this event offers a timely opportunity to discuss the challenges of hybrid warfare and the disinformation attempts, while exploring strategies to strengthen the country’s democratic resilience and advance its European integration path.

Programme

This event is now closed but you can read the event report here.

This event is organised by the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum with the support from the Transition Promotion Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

14.30 – 15.00	Welcoming and Registration
15.00 – 15.15	Opening remarks H.E. Ms Jitka Látal Znamenáčková, Deputy Head of the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU, Permanent Representative to the Political and Security Committee Keynote speech H.E. Ms Daniela Morari, Ambassador, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union
15.15 – 17.00	Speakers – Ms Ina Coșeru, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration, Parliament of the Republic of Moldova – Mr Jan Latal, Information and Communication Expert, East Stratcom Task Force, European External Action Service – Ms Cristina Castagnoli, Head of Unit, Democracy and Elections Actions, European Parliament – Mr Valeriu Pașa, Chairman, Comunitatea WatchDog.MD – Ms Oxana Brighidin, Program Director, Soros Foundation Moldova Moderator: Mr Andrea Raimondi, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum Followed by a Q&A session
17.00 – 17.05	Concluding Remarks Mr Sergiu Gurău, National Facilitator, Moldovan National Platform, Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
17.05 – 18.00	Networking reception with Moldovan wine