Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine of the NRFU Specialists Contributed to a Practical Training on Horizon Europe and EU Missions
On 17-18 June 2026, a practical training on the Horizon Europe Programme and EU Missions took place in Kyiv. The event was organised by the Ukrainian Institute of International Politics in cooperation with Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU). The training brought together representatives of Ukrainian municipalities and the expert community with the aim of strengthening local capacities to make use of European programme opportunities for implementing innovative projects and supporting sustainable development.
The training programme focused on the opportunities offered by the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe, the EU Missions, partner search and consortium-building tools, as well as other European initiatives that create new opportunities for Ukrainian cities. Representatives of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine of the NRFU participated as speakers and experts in several thematic sessions.
During the first day of the training, Liudmyla Lisova, Leading Officer, presented the key opportunities that Horizon Europe offers to Ukrainian cities, outlining in detail the available funding and innovation instruments. Leading Officer Vladyslav Mykhailenko introduced participants to the overall concept of the EU Missions, highlighting the specific features and practical value of two strategic initiatives: the Mission ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’ and the Mission ‘Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities’.
A dedicated thematic session on analysing the needs of cities within the framework of Horizon Europe and the EU Missions was delivered by Nataliia Didenko, Deputy Head of the Office. During the practical exercises, participants explored the architecture and functionalities of the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, learned approaches to identifying relevant funding opportunities, developing project ideas, searching for European partners, and building international consortia.
The second day of the training focused on practical examples of project implementation within the EU Missions, opportunities offered by the CERV and URBACT programmes, and the approaches promoted by the New European Bauhaus initiative. As part of this thematic session, Nadiia Naumova, Leading Officer, presented the initiative and highlighted its significant potential for supporting sustainable recovery, modernisation, and the aesthetic transformation of urban spaces in Ukrainian communities.
The presentations delivered by the Office specialists generated considerable interest among participants and evolved into an open dialogue, during which municipal representatives received comprehensive answers to a wide range of questions regarding participation in Horizon Europe calls. The contribution of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine specialists to the training facilitated the dissemination of practical knowledge about Horizon Europe instruments and the EU Missions, while helping representatives of Ukrainian cities better prepare for future participation in international projects and the expansion of European partnerships.
