How can Ukraine's public administration strengthen its institutional capacity to align with European Union standards and principles of good governance during the European integration process? What are the key challenges and best practices in preparing Ukraine's public service for EU accession?

These and many other topics related to institutional capacity in forming the European identity of the public service were discussed during the Annual Richelieu Public Service Forum "Public Service of Ukraine in Times of War: Rethinking Identity," organized by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service on 25-27 September 2023 in Kyiv (Ukraine).

The Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance (CEMG) at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, through its Programme “Strengthening Good Democratic Governance and Resilience in Ukraine,” acted as a co-organizer of this high-level discussion that brought together representatives of the National Parliament, Presidential Office, Government, central and local authorities and their associations, training service providers, experts, and the international community.

Speaking at the Forum's opening, Maciej JANCZAK, Head of the Council of Europe Office, emphasized, “Human resources represent the most important asset of public administration. The investment in forming the European identity of the public service, improving its conditions based on European standards and best practices, is an investment in the country’s future. To resist Russian aggression, make public authorities more resilient, and support Ukraine’s European reform agenda, it is crucial that its legal framework is shaped in line with the Council of Europe’s international treaties and recommendations, including the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.”