Final Round Table on the cooperation of the NCP network and representatives of the Programme Committees of the Horizon Europe Programme in 2025 was held

On December 19, the final round table of 2025 “Establishing effective cooperation between the network of NCPs and representatives of Ukraine responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe” took place. The event was held with the assistance of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Representation of the European Union in Ukraine, the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, in particular its structural unit – Department “Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine”, with the participation of representatives of the network of domestic National Contact Points and representatives of Ukraine to the Committees responsible for monitoring the implementation of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe.

The event was opened with a welcome speech by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Denys Kurbatov. He noted that Ukraine is a successful participant of the Horizon Europe Programme, because more projects, funding and participating organisations have been formed in five years than in the seven years of the previous EU Framework Programme. At the same time, the Deputy Minister noted that Ukraine’s potential in the Programme is significantly greater and it is necessary to use the opportunities for Ukrainian participants to the full extent.

“So today we want to hear requests and calls to representatives of the Ministry regarding the problems you face on this path, and to get frank answers from us, which exactly did not work out or thanks to which everything turned out very well”, – said Denys Kurbatov.

Olga Polotska, Executive Director of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, also congratulated the participants of the round table. The head of the Foundation emphasised that during the event it is necessary to discuss not only positive points, but also difficulties.

“We need to identify ways to move forward and share a vision of how to meet certain challenges. We work to help Ukrainian scientists, researchers and innovators feel confident and not afraid to participate in the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. We also want to hear an objective assessment of the EU regarding our activities and successes in the Programme. We are ready to constructively discuss all existing problems”, – emphasised Olga Polotska.

In response, the representative of the European Union, Yehor Pyvovarov, who is an expert on political issues in the field of science and innovation of the EU Representation in Ukraine, assured the EU of Ukraine’s further support. However, he noted that it is necessary to ensure a permanent dialogue, exchange of information with an emphasis on problems that prevent it from working effectively, in order to form policies with the support of the Ministry and the EU that would contribute to facilitating work in the regions. According to him, the creation of the mechanism of the NCP network, which is a connecting link between the regions, Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine as a Coordination Center and the Ministry of Education and Science, is an important step to effectively support the spread of new opportunities.

“Through your voice and your opinion, a new vision should be formed that correlates with the realities of today. Therefore, I urge everyone to be as effective as possible in their positions. You have a great responsibility to make Ukraine part of the European research system and be an engine for European integration”, – Yehor Pyvovarov said.

The working part was started by Hryhoriy Mozolevych, general director of the Science Development Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. He gave a report devoted to the integration of Ukraine into the European Research Area, in particular, the main steps taken in the past year, as well as plans for the future. For her part, Nataliia Didenko, Deputy Head of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine, NRFU, presented in detail the results of the work of the Coordination Center of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe in 2025, statistic on the participation of Ukrainian participants in the Programme and summarised the effectiveness of the activities of the NCP.

Representatives of the NCP spoke about the results of the activities of the network of National Contact Points of the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe during 2025, the realities and challenges faced by the NCP during its work, as well as the prospects for 2026. Also, the role, tasks and achievements of representatives of Ukraine were presented to the committees responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Horizon Europe Programme.

In addition to the discussion, after the speakers’ speech, a very rich discussion and question and answer session took place at the end of the event, during which the participants actively discussed the possibilities of improving their activities, the conditions under which it is possible, the obstacles they face on the way to improving their activities, expressed their opinions and specific proposals. The event became a kind of platform for constructive dialogue between all parties to the process involved in Ukraine’s progress towards the ERA.