Introducing the 'Inside the EU' Series
Ukrainian Radio has unveiled a fresh project titled 'Inside the EU,' designed to shed light on the tangible steps Ukraine is taking toward European integration. This series consists of 20 episodes that delve into Ukraine’s alignment with European standards across multiple sectors, including:
- digital transformation
- local governance
- migration policy
- resource management
- transparent government practices
- entrepreneurship support
New episodes are broadcast every Wednesday at 20:07, with three episodes already aired.
Episode Highlights
The opening episode, titled 'How to Secure EU Funding for Your Community?', features a project to renovate the Children's Health Center in Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk region. This initiative, implemented in partnership with Polish collaborators, was selected among 20 winners out of 115 applicants, with a budget nearing €2.5 million. Vitaliy Nabok, an expert at the Institute for Analytics and Advocacy, emphasizes the critical role such projects play in boosting local development.
The second installment, 'The EU Green Deal: Ukraine’s Progress Toward European Waste Management Standards,' explores the circular economy. Svetlana Klimenko, director of the company "Knyazhe Pole," commented on the growing demand for recycled materials driven by EU requirements:
“European standards for using secondary raw materials are creating new opportunities for Ukrainian recyclers.”
Additionally, Yevheniya Aratovska, founder of the NGO "Ukraine Without Waste," stressed that the EU recognizes that simply collecting waste is not enough. The focus must also be on minimizing waste generation itself, as excess waste—even after recycling—often remains unwanted.
The third episode, 'Agricultural Reforms on Ukraine’s Path to the EU: What Changes for Farmers?', examines the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Vladimir Boboshko, a farmer with over 20 years of experience living in Romania, remarked:
“When Romania joined the EU, farms of all sizes received subsidies through CAP programs, enabling them to invest in new equipment.”
Mykola Moroz, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Economy’s Department of Rural Development, highlighted that “The Common Agricultural Policy is essentially the rulebook guiding how the European Union operates in agriculture.”
The 'Inside the EU' project is funded by the European Union to enhance public understanding of European practices and support Ukraine’s adaptation to EU standards. Ukrainian farmers are also gaining access to the State Agricultural Register (DAR), which strengthens their competitiveness within the EU agricultural framework.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in Ukraine’s European integration journey by informing citizens about opportunities arising from cooperation with the EU. Adopting European norms is vital for improving living standards and fostering local community growth across Ukraine.
The project also highlights the importance of international partnerships, which can unlock funding for socially impactful initiatives. The successful projects discussed in the episodes showcase Ukraine’s potential to develop innovative business models and sustainable environmental practices.