Priorities of the International Visegrad Fund

Last year the budget of the International Vi­se­grad Fund (IVF), which is funded by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Po­land, and Slovakia, reached seven million euros. The in­crease of one million euros was assigned for the programs in the Eastern Partnership countries within the frame­work of the new program Vise­grad4EaP. In time of its exis­tence the Fund granted 350 scholarships to the Ukrainian students (total value of 1,654,700 euro) and provided support for 20 projects im­plemented in Ukraine (for the total of 200,000 euros). As a part of the Visegrad University Studies Grants (VUSG) the Fund supports the introduction of new higher education training programs aimed at specific issues related to the countries of the Visegrad Group (V4). Recently, Karla Wursterova, Executive Director of the IVF, visited Kyiv. She had meet­ings with the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uk­raine in order to learn about the priorities of the foreign policy department. She also had meetings with the organizations, which applied for grants, as well as those that already implement projects funded by the Fund’s grants. In her interview for The Day Karla Wur­ste­ro­va spoke about the priorities of the Fund and what kind of results the or­ga­nization expects from the projects implemented in Ukraine.

“When in 2000 the Fund was established, its purpose was to ensure coherence within the Visegrad Group and to support the civil society, contacts between peoples, mobility of young people and students. These projects focused on the four Vise­grad countries.

“At the present moment, our prio­rities include, above all, supporting the development of the civil society organization in the Eastern Partnership countries, sharing the experience and know-how of the Visegrad Group countries in the transition period. In our opinion, sharing the experience of Visegrad countries will facilitate the process of Ukraine’s integration. Therefore, we are interested to see the Ukrainian society realize the be­nefits of the European integration and the need for establishing agencies that would support transformations and the European integration.

“Another priority of the Fund is regional cooperation, sharing the experience of Visegrad Group in this sphere, streng­thening of the regional cooperation among the countries of the Eastern Partnership and the countries covered by this initiative, with the countries of the Visegrad Group.

“Education, supporting cooperation between educational institutions, streng­thening the capacity of educational institutions, as well as supporting independent media are also a priority for the Fund.”

What projects does the Fund finance in Ukraine?

“Ukraine receives the biggest funding among the countries that are not members of the Visegrad Group. We have specific programs within the Eastern Partnership. These programs deal, primarily, with NGOs, providing support for civil society, ensuring university students’ mobility, providing assistance to the universities in the countries of Eastern Partnership.

“The scope of our interests includes funding projects that promote cross-border cooperation. This is true not only in Ukraine, but also in other countries of the Eastern Partnership. The added value of the Visegrad Group is the regional cooperation. It means that we want to maintain cooperation with the largest possible number of countries. We do not only try to involve Ukraine in cooperation with us, but also try to promote Ukraine’s co­ope­ration with other countries.

“As an example, we have a project to support reforms in the security sector and establishing a center of advanced expe­rience. It is all about sharing the experience and know-how of the Visegrad Group with the countries of the Eastern Partnership. The project involves several countries: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Moldova.

“We are also implementing a project for cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and Belarus, as well as between Ukraine and Moldova. In such a way we try to improve cooperation between Ukraine and not only the Visegrad countries, but also the countries of the Eastern Partnership.”

Can you give specific examples of organizations that received grants from your Fund this year and what sums of money were given in this case?

“Currently, projects in three Ukrainian universities are being implemented on the grants of our Fund this year. The average grant value for each is about 8,000 euros.”

But it’s not a big sum of money. What can be done for that much?

“That’s true. But these funds come directly to the universities. Typically they are used for special presentations or preparation of special course of lectures. In one case, the university elaborated a course of lectures on social and political transformation of the countries of the Visegrad Group and Ukraine, comparative analysis. Another one worked on a course of lectures on foreign policy of Ukraine on its way towards the EU accession.

“We have several categories of standard grants, which are rather small in size. There are also grants that are strategic in nature. According to the requirements, a standard grant can be given to only one country of the Eastern Partnership. At least two countries, or rather NGOs from two countries, should apply for a strategic grant. Besides, at least one of the Visegrad countries must be involved in the project.”

Does the Fund provide support for mass media?

“Mass media play a very important role in building civil society by providing independent information. We receive specific proposals for grants not only from Ukraine, but also from other countries of the Eastern Partnership. Therefore, it should be an initiative coming from Ukrainian organizations, which have to apply for specific projects.

“We provided a grant for independent broadcasting association in Kyiv, which produces programs on social issues. During my visit to Kyiv we discussed the possibilities of funding other projects promoting human rights and supporting media through the grants of our Fund.”

Do you see any benefits from the grants provided to Ukraine?

“Above all, it is very important that this opportunity exists. It means involving people, experts and organizations from the Eastern Partnership and Visegrad Group countries in joint projects. And this contact between people is very important. Moreover, I believe it is important that the Visegrad Group countries have gone through a period of very deep transformation and have fulfilled the EU and NATO membership requirements. In this respect, we have extremely valuable expe­rience, which is added value in comparison to other countries.

“I know that your country is going through a very tough period and hopes to sign an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. We can offer our very important knowledge and experience. This is added value. And it pertains to all our projects.

“Also important is providing support to universities. I believe that the future of your country is in education. Hence it is a key sector for Ukraine, and it is crucial to create programs for universities. Even more important is student mobility. Doors must be open before them so that they can have an opportunity to study in the Visegrad Group countries. Upon completing their stu­dies, they would need to go back home and help develop Ukraine. Thus, we want to monitor how they work and put their knowledge to use in practice. This cooperation is truly crucial.

“In addition to knowledge and know-how transfer, it is important to exchange views and establish human contacts. That is why we would like to improve and emphasize the importance of cooperation between the Eastern Partnership countries, such as Ukraine and Belarus, and Ukraine and Moldova, cross-border cooperation and cooperation not only between the capitals, but also between regions of these countries.”