The 30th International Forum 2000 Conference, titled “Reimagining the Power of the Powerless,” took place in Prague on October 11–13. This year, the forum brought together around 800 politicians, diplomats, experts, journalists, and civil society representatives from approximately 100 countries. The key topics included the future of democracy, human rights, international cooperation, and the resilience of societies in the face of today’s challenges.
Union Foundation was invited to the “United for Ukraine: From Roadmap to Action” workshop, held as part of the “United for Ukraine” initiative launched in 2025. The project brings together Ukrainian and international politicians, experts, civil society organizations, and media representatives. Its goal is to keep Ukraine on the international agenda and turn joint discussions into concrete action, including legislative changes, recommendations, and decisions to ensure long-term support for Ukraine.
This year, workshop participants worked in three groups, each focusing on a specific area: civil society and governance; security and institutional innovation; and international engagement and donor fatigue.
The group, which included representatives of our Foundation, discussed ways to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian civil society, simplify the legal and tax frameworks for international support, and establish sustainable funding sources for Ukrainian organizations.
Particular attention was given to two proposals. The first was to enable taxpayers in European countries to support vetted Ukrainian civil society organizations under the same tax conditions as local nonprofit organizations. The second was to introduce a percentage philanthropy mechanism in Ukraine, allowing people to direct a portion of their already-assessed taxes to a civil society organization of their choice.
Workshop participants concluded that Ukrainian organizations need solutions that will enable them to operate sustainably over the long term. Achieving this requires coordinated efforts involving Ukrainian lawmakers, European partners, and EU institutions.
Participation in the workshop provided an opportunity to discuss practical tools that could help Ukrainian civil society become more financially resilient and continue its work even amid a prolonged war.
