Specialists of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine of the NRFU joined the training for the NCP

On 8 July 2025, an online training for the Ukrainian network of National Contact Points (NCPs) of the Horizon Europe Programme – Horizon Europe NCP Training Ukraine – took place. The event was organised by the European Commission within the framework of the Service Facility in Support of the Global Approach to Research and Innovation specifically for representatives of Ukrainian NCPs.

The training was aimed at raising the professional level and developing the competences of the national contact points, as well as strengthening their capacity to provide high-quality advisory support to potential participants and applicants of the Horizon Europe Programme from Ukraine.

The participants were welcomed by Frederik Sondergaard, Project Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Igor Taranov, Head of Horizon Europe Office in Ukraine at the NRFU.

The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which underscores the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in the implementation of the Programme’s instruments in Ukraine.

The training was conducted by experienced experts: Manfred Spiesberger (CSI), Matthias Wurch (GSF), Sander van der Molen (Civitta).

During the training, the participants got acquainted with:

• key information resources for the effective work of the NCP;
• practical advice on promoting the Programme and advising potential applicants;
• new opportunities for Ukrainian organisations within Horizon Europe.

Particular attention was paid to practical exercises in groups, during which participants worked out real-life scenarios of consulting and searching for suitable calls for proposals.

The final part of the training was devoted to a question and answer session, where participants were able to ask specific questions to the experts, discuss challenges in the work of the NCP and share their experiences.

Representatives of the NCP network highly appreciated the level of the event and expressed interest in continuing this type of training.

The training will contribute to deepening awareness of the European Commission’s support instruments, expanding international cooperation and strengthening the role of the NCPs in supporting Ukrainian applicants for participation in the Horizon Europe Programme.