The non-governmental organisation “Agency for the promotion of sustainable development of the Carpathian region FORZA” (Transcarpathian region) – is one of the examples of sustainable, well-thought-out participation of Ukrainian organisations in EU framework programmes. It not only joins European initiatives, but also adapts and implements advanced approaches in the communities of the region, demonstrating an effective example of how scientific ideas become a tool for change.

The agency is an independent, non-governmental, non-commercial and non-profit public organisation, a member of the Danube Civil Society Forum, the Working Group of Non-Governmental Environmental Organisations on Climate Change in Ukraine and the Public Council under the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration. Its current projects within the Horizon Europe Programme: RURACTIVE, DIGIMEDFOR, RIBES – cover the topics of sustainable development of communities, forestry, bioeconomy, including digitalisation at all stages of forestry management and implementation of innovative solutions in rural communities.

16 years of experience: the path from FP7 to Horizon Europe

NGO FORZA has many years of experience in participating in European Union programmes – from the 7th Framework Programme to Horizon 2020, and today actively implements projects within the 9th Framework Programme Horizon Europe. Their journey began in 2009 with participation in the In2Wood Project. At that time, the team of the newly created NGO was completing the implementation of the joint Swiss-Ukrainian forestry development project in Transcarpathian FORZA. German colleagues, with whom cooperation has already been established, invited the team to participate in the In2Wood project. The organisation immediately established itself as a reliable partner, so it took part in another project – RERAM: Climate Change, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials. And as part of the Horizon 2020 in the ROSEWOOD4.0 Project.

Ukrainian features of project implementation

A feature of the implementation of the Horizon Europe Programme projects in Ukraine is the need to adapt innovative approaches to the local environment. We are talking about long-term agreements with numerous state structures, administrative flexibility and constant balancing between the expectations of EU partners and real opportunities on the ground.

Another difficulty is in the implementation of social innovations. These are not always visible results, like the construction or purchase of equipment, but the creation of new approaches to cooperation, the formation of trust, horizontal connections, the internal motivation of communities to act differently, etc. Such innovations require painstaking work with communities: often residents expect an instant result, instead they receive methodology, action plan, new processes, connections, and reflection. “We teach to perceive the process as new necessary skills, without which it is difficult to get the desired result, – say the Head of the organisation Lesya Loiko and manager Nataliia Voloshyna, – so even if the innovation does not work in full, it is also experience and training”.

However, it is a certain victory that despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, European innovators are going to Transcarpathia, in particular Swedish, Polish and Dutch, who are presenting energy saving and digital management solutions in the communities. Thus, within the RURACTIVE Project, certain innovative solutions will be implemented for the beekeeping community and the Synevyr community through the use of “smart” lighting. This testifies to the trust of partners in Ukrainian organisations even in conditions of martial law.

Flexibility, transparency and system work

NGO FORZA does not use paid application writing services, considering it part of training and quality control. Team members always read the full conditions to understand each stage of implementation, and actively participate in the development of projects even at the stage of idea formation. “We learn from powerful partners. For us, learning – how European organisations work, how decisions are made, how work is structured”, – is explained by Lesya Loiko and Natalia Voloshyna.

In addition, the organisation is distinguished by a flexible and responsible approach to the formation of partnerships. The team successfully cooperates with organisations from Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Greece and many other countries, demonstrating the ability to work in a multicultural environment on a par with leading European institutions.

Ukrainian contribution to European knowledge

In addition, the organisation actively forms partnerships at the level of Ukraine: it has stable ties with territorial communities, specialised state institutions, and also involves local experts, educational institutions, and youth centers in the implementation of projects. Thanks to such consortia, it is possible not only to effectively implement European initiatives, but also to create the basis for their scaling after the funding.

The organisation adaptively approaches roles in consortia: in some projects it is a co-creator, in others it is responsible for specific components. A feature of their approach is the emphasis on transparent communication, joint planning and trust, which are formed even before the application is submitted. In many projects, FORZA acts as a link between European expertise and the needs of Ukrainian communities. This approach ensures effective, balanced participation and promotes long-term partnerships within European programmes.

Tips for organisations that will participate in the Horizon Europe Programme for the first time

1. Start with smaller programmes (Interreg, cross-border).
2. Build a network of partners: make contacts, participate in relevant events, join consortia.
3. Clearly understand your topic and your role in the project.
4. The most important thing is – not to be afraid to ask questions and learn at every step.
5. And remember: one successful application can be the start for a series of projects.

NGO FORZA proves that even a small team from Uzhhorod can be a catalyst for innovation, adapt complex approaches for Ukrainian communities and create an environment of trust and growth.