Fostering sustainable cooperation between Ukraine and the Danube and Baltic Sea regions

How macroregional strategies can contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine and to the integration of Ukraine in the European Union.

REGISTER HERE no later than 2 June.

This seminar is a continuation of the Swedish Presidency initiative in December 2022 – the conference Fostering Sustainable Cooperation between the Baltic Sea region and Ukraine -which introduced how the format of macro-regional strategies, such as the EUSBSR and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), can foster cooperation with Ukraine.

The first part starts with an overview of the Ukrainian experiences of being member of one of the four macroregional strategy before and during the war and perspectives for the future. This will be followed by updates of the initiatives launch at the conference in December 2022.

Afterwards, a second part will be arranged in the form of parallel workshops on specific themes. The workshops aim to facilitate a dialogue between EUSBSR and Ukrainian stakeholders on needs and possibilities.

Date: 6 June 2023

Time: The programme starts at 09.15 (CET) and ends at 12.30 (CET) with a short break between 10.15 and 10.45.

The workshops start at 10.45 (CET) and ends at 12.30 (CET)

Hybrid: A ZOOM-meeting part of the final event of the Swedish EUSBSR Presidency. Some participants will be present in Visby, Sweden.

Moderator: Mr Anders Bergström, Policy Area Coordinator, PA Education, EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

Registration: At this LINK, at the latest on 2 June 2023 at 16.00 (CET).

Please register as soon as possible. The number of participants in the workshops are limited. The ZOOM-link will be sent on 5 June.

PROGRAMME

09.00 Check in for the online guests

09.15 Opening
Mr Anders Bergström, representative of the Swedish EUSBSR Presidency team, Policy Area Coordinator for PA Education in the EUSBSR, Norden Association
Sweden

09.20 Ukraine and the role of macroregional strategies Ms Nadiia Afanasieva, Director of Ukrainian Institute of International Politics

09.45 Updates from the four initiatives launched in December 2022

1. Ukrainian ecosystem and economy (PA Bioeconomy/PA Nutri)
Recover a challenged Ukrainian ecosystem and economy. A first step to focus on the wastewater treatment plant in Lviv, one of the HELCOM hotspots and in dire need of modernisation. Mr Pekka Paavilainen, Policy Area Coordinator PA Nutri

2. Distance education (PA Education)
With young refugees spread all over the world distance education is a reality. This education comes with challenges such as workload for pupils
with both hosting countries school and distance education with own school in Ukraine in evenings, trauma for children from war zones etc. Ms Merle Andraschko, Policy Area Coordinator PA Education

3. Civil Protection Academy (PA Secure/PA Education)
Non-formal education in Ukraine as a transformative force of change. Using the example of training centres for medical trainings, including
methodological support, material support and operational support to establish a Civil Protection Academy Mr Serhii Chumachenko, Founder of Vovchuk Folk High School

4. Maritime transports and support to maritime students (PA Safe/PA Ship)
Collaboration in maritime transports with a first step to support maritime students to finalize their studies. Mr Ulf Siwe, Policy Area Coordinator PA Safe

10.15 Short break

10.45 Two workshops in parallel (limited number of seats available)

Ideation for collaboration
We explore possibilities for new initiatives to support Ukraine. There is Policy Areas interested in finding partners in Ukraine and there are stakeholders in Ukraine that search for partners in the Baltic Sea Region. Open dialogue on interest and themes for mutual cooperation and different aspects and needs from the Ukrainian side. Information on previous experiences and existing networks may also be shared.
Moderator: Ms Camilla Wristel, Swedish Institute

Supporting health care
We start with an overview of what and how NDPHS works, its resources in terms of networks of various expert groups and policy makers in the region, what
discussions are already underway between our experts and representatives in Ukraine, and the coordination of EUSBSR PA Health. Next, we explore possibilities for cooperation between Ukraine and the Baltic Sea Region.
Moderator: Mr Imants Gross, EUSBSR Policy Area Health Coordinator, the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS)

12.30 Closing