The third three-day training session, “From Partnership to Project: Participating in EU and Erasmus+ Programs,” has concluded in Mykolaiv. A new group of participants now has the tools to turn their ideas into applications for European grants.
The training was organized as part of the project “Establishment of a European Integration Office in the Mykolaiv Community,” implemented by the NGO “Center for Adult Learning and Education ‘Pivden’” in partnership with the Mykolaiv City Council’s “Mykolaiv Development Agency” and supported by “U-LEAD with Europe.”
The training took the form of hands-on work. Each team developed its own idea, gradually shaping it into a structured project. This approach allowed participants not only to understand the methodology but also to apply it immediately. It is worth noting that the ideas are aimed at the development of educational institutions.
“In a broader context, this training once again highlighted that European integration at the community level has a practical dimension. The Association Agreement creates a real legal framework enabling Ukraine and its communities to participate directly in EU programs. This includes access to Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, CERV, U-LEAD, and other initiatives that fund projects in education, culture, youth policy, reconstruction, and development. Every high-quality application, every new partnership with European colleagues, is a concrete contribution to the reconstruction of Mykolaiv,” said trainer Oksana Petrenko.
Today, European integration at the community level is, above all, about practical implementation. It manifests itself in the ability of local institutions to operate according to clear and transparent rules, to plan development through projects, and to attract external resources.
At the same time, European integration requires a new standard of governance. This involves ensuring that procedures comply with European standards, the efficient use of resources, accountability, and long-term planning. That is why the development of institutional capacity is becoming one of the prerequisites for participation in international programs.
For reference. The “U-LEAD with Europe” program for Ukraine, which focuses on local empowerment, accountability, and development, is jointly funded by the EU and its member states—Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Poland, and Slovenia—to support Ukraine on its path toward strengthening local self-government. U-LEAD promotes transparent, sustainable, and accountable multilevel governance in Ukraine that responds to citizens’ needs and empowers communities.
Photo: Mykolaiv Development Agency
