Opening of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Hub of EU solutions” takes place at Ostroh Academy

October 18, 2023

On October 18, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “Hub of EU solutions” was opened at the National University of Ostroh Academy.

Olha Balatska, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, Director of the Ioanukiy Malynovskyi Educational and Research Institute of Law, Project Manager of the HEUS, said:

“The main goal of the hub is to create a multifunctional center for modern education, expertise and leadership on European solutions, support and interaction between the sectors of education, business, government and civil society in Ukraine, to disseminate knowledge about the EU and to raise awareness of the role of EU institutions in the development of Ukrainian society”.

HEUS will be organized in the format of 4 clusters: law and soft skills, security and information, start-up and digitalization, and openness and expertise. Together, they will create a multifunctional and transnational, interdisciplinary and innovative space of the center. The clusters will establish an innovative learning hub for teaching and advanced training of the target audience in the field of European studies. This will contribute to a better understanding of the structure and interpretation of EU law and its application, EU security, and EU digital issues based on new teaching technologies and perspectives.

The objectives of the project are:

1. To create an innovative educational hub (center) for teaching activities and advanced training of the target audience in the field of European studies.
2. Create a portal of expertise, research and data analytics on the EU-Ukraine partnership with useful EU resources, consultations, legal solutions and expertise.
3. Create a platform for cooperation, communication, and dialogue between Ukrainian and international partners.
4. To develop a multifunctional portal for updating, improving and implementing existing EU solutions, content, materials using unique means of information technology, digitalization, security measures, practical application and implementation between Ukrainian and international partners.
5. To create a network for dissemination of information, dissemination and exchange of key issues, experiences, solutions and best practices on issues related to cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.

According to Olha Balatska, the Centre will also serve as a marketplace for expertise, research and data analytics on the EU-Ukraine partnership with useful resources, advice, legal solutions and expertise, such as EU digests, EU policy documents, EU compliance reports, practical checklists, guides on EU-related issues in Ukraine for both local and national stakeholders.

The project aims to achieve this goal by offering a wide range of educational, scientific, analytical, information and technological activities and solutions for various target groups, including students, teachers, lecturers, researchers, lawyers, diplomats, politicians, civil servants and others.

By targeting a wide audience, the project leaders are convinced that it will become one of the most prominent in the market for promoting EU standards and values in Ukraine and EU member states.

The opening of the center was followed by the EU Network Café, a 15-20 minute round of discussions with 4-6 people. The rounds included an exchange of ideas among the group members, where participants presented their ideas on EU issues.