In October 2025, the founder and member of The Grassroots Institute, Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend, participated in the General Assembly of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations (CINGO) at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The event took place from 13 to 16 October 2025 at the Palais de l’Europe and brought together representatives of civil society from various member states. The visit was based on an official invitation from the leadership of the Conference of INGOs, which explicitly highlighted the opportunity to discuss future institutional cooperation and the prospects for applying for participatory status with the Council of Europe.
This visit marked an important milestone for The Grassroots Institute (Ukraine), as it took place within the broader framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026 – a strategic document aimed at supporting Ukraine in the context of war and post-war recovery. The Action Plan is structured around the Council of Europe’s three core pillars – human rights, the rule of law, and democracy – and emphasizes the essential role of civil society in strengthening national resilience and community recovery. In this context, the participation of Ukrainian NGOs in the work of the Council of Europe’s institutions carries not only symbolic but also practical significance.
During the General Assembly of CINGO, discussions focused on the role of civil society in democratic governance, the protection of human rights in times of crisis and armed conflict, support for vulnerable groups, and the restoration of social trust in post-conflict societies. Particular attention was paid to the contribution of non-governmental organizations to the implementation of Council of Europe standards at national and regional levels, especially in territories affected by war. For Ukraine, this means active engagement in the broader European dialogue on the rights of internally displaced persons, access to justice, anti-discrimination policies, community participation in decision-making, and the development of democratic culture.
An important component of the visit was participation in meetings of thematic committees within the Conference of INGOs. These working formats are central to effective cooperation, as committees are the platforms where recommendations are drafted, consultations are initiated, analytical documents are prepared, and proposals are developed for Council of Europe bodies. For the Grassroots Institute, this represented an opportunity not only to present its experience of working with communities in Ukraine, but also to contribute to shaping the European agenda in areas directly related to human rights, environmental security, social cohesion, and democratic participation.
The programme also included a special event dedicated to the Reykjavik Process and the BRIDGE project, funded by the Council of Europe. Participants discussed institutional mechanisms for strengthening democratic resilience in times of crisis, as well as the role of civil society in rebuilding trust, protecting rights, and reinforcing institutional accountability. For Ukrainian organizations, this dialogue is particularly significant, as civil society actors often serve as first responders to the challenges of war – providing legal assistance, humanitarian support, and educational initiatives. Dr. Arjjumend participated the special session of BRIDGE project of COE.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was a substantive dialogue regarding the potential of the Grassroots Institute for structured cooperation with the Council of Europe and the possibility of applying for participatory status. Such status would provide broader opportunities to engage in consultative processes, thematic platforms, expert discussions, and the preparation of recommendations that inform Council of Europe policy. In the current circumstances, this also means the opportunity to represent the Ukrainian experience – the experience of communities enduring war, rebuilding, and integrating into the European legal space – within a respected international institutional framework.
The activities of The Grassroots Institute closely align with the priorities of the Action Plan for Ukraine. These include work with local communities to enhance legal awareness, support for vulnerable groups, promotion of non-discrimination and inclusion, and the development of educational initiatives aimed at fostering democratic culture. A distinctive feature of the organization’s work is the integration of human rights and environmental dimensions. In the context of national recovery, environmental protection, cultural and natural heritage, and sustainable territorial development acquire strategic importance. The Council of Europe’s documents likewise underline the importance of culture, heritage, and nature as foundations for long-term resilience and social cohesion.
The visit to Strasbourg was not limited to formal meetings. It also provided a space for professional dialogue with representatives of NGOs from other countries. Discussions addressed the challenges of operating under martial law, mechanisms for safeguarding human rights during states of emergency, cooperation with local authorities, and the role of international partnerships in strengthening civil society. Such exchanges are especially valuable for Ukrainian organizations working in a complex security environment while simultaneously integrating European standards into daily practice.
For the Grassroots Institute, participation in the CINGO General Assembly represents a step toward deeper international engagement and sustained cooperation with European institutions. It provides an opportunity to ensure that the voices of Ukrainian communities are heard in forums where principles and recommendations shaping the continent’s democratic development are formulated. In times of war and complex recovery, Ukraine requires not only financial assistance but also integration into networks of trust, cooperation, and expert exchange. It is precisely such networks that are cultivated within the Council of Europe through the Conference of INGOs.
This visit confirms that Ukrainian civil society organizations are active and responsible actors within the European values-based space. For us, it is not merely an international event but a commitment to strengthening the quality of our work in communities, advancing standards of transparency, inclusion, and participation, and implementing best practices of democratic governance and human rights protection. We view cooperation with the Council of Europe as a long-term strategic direction that will contribute to reinforcing civil society in Ukraine and advancing our country’s integration into the European legal and value-based framework.
For more information about the TGI’s activities and strategies, please browse the website https://tgi.org.ua/ or contact by email: mail@tgi.org.ua
