With a population of more than 450 million (more then the US and Russia together) the European Union today is the largest single market in the world and also the biggest donor to Ukraine. Since the fifth’s enlargement of the EU on 1 May 2004 Ukraine and the EU share a common border. To enhance awareness and understanding of the European Union and its policy among the Ukrainian public the Press and information section coordinates a wide range of information activities as well as designs and produces information materials. Among these are the Delegation's website, a major gateway to EU information, targeted newsletters, publications and brochures, audio-visual production and numerous events that address the needs of various audiences interested in learning more about the European Union and the relationship between the EU and Ukraine.

The EU’s Press and information activities in Ukraine are financed through an annual budget of around ˆ 0,8 million. Most activities are carried out by Ukrainian companies and organizations. Please, note that this budget is allocated through tenders and that the Press and information section does not have grants available!

The work of the section can be roughly divided into three main areas: Press, Public Information and Documentation/Library. In the following you can find a short description of the services and activities in each area for 2005/2006.

Press

• Organization of interviews with EU officials upon request
• Monthly press releases
• Press conferences and press briefings in the Delegation and the regions
• Seminars for journalists on EU issues
  • The Delegation regularly organizes seminars on EU issues for Ukrainian journalists. If you would like to join the next seminar send an e-mail to delegation-ukraine-press@ec.europa.eu.
• Press visits to the EU institutions
  • Once per year the Delegation organizes a press visit for 10-15 Ukrainian journalists to the EU institutions in Brussels. These five-day long visits provide for an opportunity to see the EU institutions from inside and make direct contacts with EU officials. The next visit is scheduled take place in the first half of 2005.
• Guide to the EU for journalists
  • A pocket guide on how to work with the EU institutions as a journalist was released in 2005 and can be ordered free of cost from the Delegation.
• “News from the EU” - a weekly electronic newsletter on general EU issues in Ukrainian and Russian language
  • Each newsletter contains a summery of the ten most current issues from inside the EU, a medium size article and further links. The material is copy-right free and may be reproduced by any Ukrainian media outlet. Free subscription on the Delegation’s website.
• Video footage
  • Video Footage of EU events and activities is available to broadcast producers from the Commission’s audiovisual website (http://ec.europa.eu/mediatheque/video/index_en.html) or to limited amount from the Delegation’s library.

If you would like to regularly receive all press releases, invitations to press conferences and other useful information please subscribe the media mailing list on the Delegation’s website.

For all press issues please contact Anje Schubert, Press and Information Officer, at anje.schubert@ec.europa.eu

Public Information

• “Eurobulletin”
  • “Eurobulletin” is the Delegation’s most popular publication. It appears once per month in electronic and print format (15.000 copies) in Ukrainian. Subscribe here: delegation-ukraine-press@ec.europa.eu
• Website www.delukr.ec.europa.eu
  • The Delegation’s website contains all latest news on EU-Ukraine relations.
• Regional EU Information Days
  • In 2004 and 2005 the Delegation for the first time organized Regional EU Information Days in 22 Ukrainian cities. The regional information days are targeted at Ukrainian youth and are jointly organized with Ukrainian central and local authorties.
• Information events for secondary schools
  • In April and May 2005 the Delegation organized information days at 300 secondary schools outside Kyiv. The support included production of books for children, programmes for school radio, organization of competitions etc. In addition the Delegation supported the development of a special methodology on how to organize EU related information events.
• Print products
  • Every year the Delegation issues a number of publications in Ukrainian language (e.g. “EU in 12 lessons”, “EU-Ukraine relations”, “EU-Ukraine Action Plan” and many more). Most publications are available in print format or in the virtual library on the Delegation’s website.
• TV and radio Information Campaign
  • To reach out to the Ukrainian public via TV and radio the Delegation every year produces TV and radio programmes which are broadcasted on national channels.
• Production of visibility items and information material to make EU funded projects and other actions more visible in Ukraine
• Large-scale Europe Day festivities in several cities of Ukraine
• Information events to raise awareness about the EU’s technical assistance to Ukraine (participation in exhibitions, field visits for journalists, publications etc)
• Assistance to Euro clubs and other NGOs dealing with EU affairs
  • Ukrainian Euro clubs receive informational support on a regular basis.
• Coordination of the European Documentation centres activities and co-operation with libraries.
  • The Delegation maintains two European Documentation Centres in Ukraine, one in Belarus and one in Moldova. Assistance is provided in order to build up networks and provide for an efficient information exchange and distribution.

For all issues concerning public information please contact Victoria Davydova, Press and Information Officer at Victoria.davydova@ec.europa.eu

Documentation/Library

Books, brochures, journals, audio-visual and promotional material are available from the Delegation’s library. Please contact Iryna Stadniychuk, Documentalist at iryna.stadniychuk@ec.europa.eu