The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs Joins High-Level Enlargement Forum
On July 17, the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) participated in the Enlargement Forum, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) as part of the Initiative for EU Candidate Countries.
The event brought together representatives from the European Commission, governments, business communities, and civil society from candidate countries, including Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Albania.
The event program included:
- Discussions on the role of social dialogue, civil society, and social partners in the EU enlargement process.
- Panel discussions on creating new opportunities for youth – from quality education to accessible employment.
- Presentations by representatives of trade unions, employers, youth, and public organizations.
Key Forum Themes
The main themes of the Forum focused on two key areas:
- Youth in candidate countries must become central to the enlargement process – discussions covered ways to ensure quality education and access to employment.
- The EU Candidate Countries Initiative is entering a new phase: with new funding until 2027, the process is expected to become more inclusive, where civil society and youth will not only be heard but will also have a real impact on shaping the future.
Ukraine was represented in several key blocks, including discussions on social partnership and youth support in the labor market.
Participation in the Forum is an integral part of SUP’s priorities for active involvement in the European integration process. The Union consistently advocates for the interests of Ukrainian business at national and international levels, striving to ensure that the position of entrepreneurs is considered in negotiations with the EU and in the formation of relevant policies.