Over 100 bloggers, media professionals, public figures, and politicians gathered at "G.N.R.T.R" Coworking Space in Kyiv for the First All-Ukrainian Media Toloka. The goal of the event was to consolidate the potential of Ukraine’s creative community for the development and rebuilding of the country, facilitate the exchange of experience and information, and find constructive solutions to the problems faced by bloggers and media professionals.

Media Toloka opened with a round table discussion titled “What are the development opportunities for Ukrainian media professionals, bloggers, and modern media on Ukraine’s path to Victory and the EU?” Participants then continued their work in a networking format, discussing collaboration with bloggers, journalists, and creative businesses, artificial intelligence, copywriting and fact-checking, as well as the experience of bloggers, participants of influencer tour within EU NEIGHBOURS east programme. Representatives of relevant EU-funded projects also attended the event.

The participants were introduced to the communication campaign “Together We Act” showcasing the EU’s support for civil society organisations (CSOs) and independent media in Ukraine during the war. It was launched on May 3, 2024 and will run until the end of July. The campaign features informational and educational events, interactive sessions, discussions, and seminars with the participation of CSOs and the public, as well as press tours and meetings for the media with the participation of CSOs, activists, media, and the general public. The events will be held in all regions of Ukraine (except for temporarily occupied territories and the war zone). Together We Act Fest, the key public event of the campaign, will take place on May 25 in Kyiv on the territory of the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex.

Jenni Lundmark, Sector Manager at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, stated: ‘The European Union is a proud supporter of civil society and independent media as drivers of reforms in Ukraine. Despite full-scale ongoing war, Ukraine and its citizens are demonstrating fantastic courage, defending and reforming the country at the same time. The EU stands side by side with Ukrainian civil society and will continue to provide both financial and technical support to the many services civil society provides across Ukraine. Continued reforms, in part, supported by civil society, will pave the way for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Together we Act!”

The total amount of EU funding for Ukrainian CSOs currently exceeds EUR 104 million. As of Q1 2024, 63 grant projects are operating in Ukraine in the area of CSO support. On average, the minimum amount of an EU grant is about EUR 60,000, and the maximum is EUR 10 million. Overall, 2,330 projects are being implemented in Ukraine, including sub-grant projects.

For more information on the EU’s support to civil society and independent media of Ukraine: eu4ukraine.eu 

Learn more about all-Ukrainian communication campaign ‘Together We Act. Together We Are Europe’ by following the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.

Media contact:

Tetiana Voronina, Media Expert, 'Communicating the European Union for Ukrainians' (CEU4U), an EU-funded project implemented by Ecorys, tvoronina9@gmail.com , +38 067 501 11 83