Support for implementing European standards relating to anti-discrimination and rights of national minorities in Ukraine
This project aims at supporting Ukraine in the earlier phases of EU accession negotiations, notably by following up on the 2022 Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union by aligning legislation and policy related to the protection from discrimination and rights of persons belonging to national minorities with European standards.
The project started on 1 July 2023 and will be implemented until June 2026.
- To raise awareness, at the institution and societal levels, on issues related to diversity and combating intolerance and stereotypes against vulnerable groups, including in the context of the EU accession process.
- To better protect the rights of victims of discrimination and hatred, notably those belonging to vulnerable groups within the minority communities.
- Citizens and people living in Ukraine;
- Vulnerable groups;
- Civil society organisations;
- Public authorities both at central level, notably Ministries and Ombudsperson’s Office, and local level.
- A combination of tailored policy/legislative, capacity-building and awareness raising actions.
- Initiatives to foster inter-institutional cooperation, and improve dialogue between institutions, civil society organizations and minority communities.
- Support to civil society organisations by 10 grant schemes, to enhance their capacities to tackle discrimination and stigmatisation at local level.
- Increase capacities of Institutions, including the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) and Ombudsperson's Office staff in Ukraine, to address discrimination and hate crime at legal and policy level, in line with the EU acquis and other European standards and the ECtHR case law.
- Ensure that law and policies relating the rights of persons belonging to national minorities are in line with the EU acquis and other European standards.
- Raise awareness of tolerance and non-discrimination standards at general public level.
The total budget of the project is 1 999 997.00 EUR.
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Harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with European standards on equality and non-discrimination
On 12 and 14 March 2025, two significant events on combating discrimination and protecting the rights of the LGBTI community in Ukraine took place in Kyiv, involving state and non-state institutions. The events were attended by Hallvard Gorseth, Head of the Anti-Discrimination Department of the...
Ensuring a participatory approach to EU accession: consultations on the Action Plan for the protection of the rights of national minorities in Ukraine
On 28 February, consultations were held in Kyiv with representatives of national minorities to discuss the Action Plan for the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities (communities) in Ukraine, including as part of the country’s EU accession process and CoE’s...
Duration: 3 years (July 2023 - June 2026)
Beneficiaries:
- Vulnerable groups;
- Civil society organisations;
- Public authorities both at central level, notably Ministries and Ombudsperson’s Office, and local level.
- Citizens and people living in Ukraine.
Funding: Joint Programme Provision
- Angela Longo, Project Manager, Strasbourg
- Zemfira Kondur, Project Manager, Kyiv
- Nataliia Oliinyk, Project Officer, Kyiv
- Yuliia Melnychuk, Project Officer, Kyiv
