On March 11, Berlin hosted the large-scale international event Café Kyiv, which brought together more than 130 partners and 300 speakers to show support for Ukraine as it continues to stand against Russian aggression. Organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, this annual gathering serves as a major international platform, highlighting key political, economic, and social challenges facing Ukraine and its European future.

The Kyiv School of Economics took part in Café Kyiv once again, unveiling the results of the REDEMOS study, which explores how the European Union and international partners are funding democracy-building efforts in the Eastern Partnership region.

Maryna Rabinovych, REDEMOS Project Coordinator in Ukraine and Assistant Professor at KSE’s Faculty of Social Sciences, presented the study’s findings. Spanning the years 2005 to 2022, the research examines EU support for democratic development in six countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

The study’s database includes 1,474 projects, representing a total of USD 496.27 billion in funding. Specifically, these entries cover projects financed by the European Commission (222 entries), EU Member States (646 entries), the United States (416 entries), and various international organizations (155 entries).

Key recommendations:

• Standardize Reporting: Establish unified requirements for the scope and classification of EU and Member State democracy-assistance projects reported through the OECD library. This step will improve transparency and facilitate more effective analysis of supported initiatives.

• Coordinate Funding and Priorities: Enhance alignment of financial priorities and deepen cooperation among the EU, its Member States, and other active donors in the Eastern Partnership on democracy-support projects.

• Strengthen Electoral Processes: The EU and its Member States should intensify their support for electoral processes, paying special attention to building resilience against digital threats and external interference.

• Adopt a Multilateral Approach to Decentralization: The “U-LEAD with Europe” project has shown the effectiveness of a multilateral approach to reforms. This model could be scaled up for long-term support of decentralization and local development across the region.

• Combine Ukraine’s Reconstruction with the Integration of Ukrainians in the EU: Ukraine’s post-war recovery should involve reintegration measures for Ukrainians temporarily residing in EU countries, including employment, education, housing assistance, and social adaptation programs.

“The REDEMOS findings clearly demonstrate that a strategic approach to international aid and stronger institutional collaboration between the EU and partner countries are crucial for successful democratic transformations. We need to harness these insights to further strengthen democracy and enhance the impact of aid for Ukraine and other nations in the region,” stated Maryna Rabinovych.

This study was conducted within the framework of the international project REDEMOS, which brings together 10 institutions from 9 countries, including the Kyiv School of Economics. The project examines democratic reforms in the Eastern Partnership countries, the impact of political regimes on these reforms, and suggests ways to further strengthen democracy in the region.