Completion of the 5th Edition: Cluster 5 – Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion

The 5th edition of the Tailored Onsite Knowledge and Analytical Skills Programme has concluded at the College of Europe in Natolin, following an intensive training period focused on Cluster 5 – Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion.

The 5th Edition of the programme was implemented from 12 January to 20 February 2026 at the College of Europe in Natolin (Warsaw, Poland). The edition addressed EU accession negotiation Cluster 5 – Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion, with particular emphasis on EU policies related to natural resource management, agricultural policy, regional development, and cohesion policy instruments. These areas are of central relevance to Ukraine’s progressive alignment with the EU acquis.

A total of eight Ukrainian public officials participated in the edition, representing the following institutions:

• Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine
• State Audit Service of Ukraine
• State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection
• Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
• Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine
• Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations
• State Agency of Ukraine for Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programmes

Participants emphasised the programme’s practical relevance and its contribution to strengthening institutional capacity for European integration. They highlighted the value of a structured understanding of EU governance and the accession negotiation process, as well as the importance of effective knowledge transfer within their institutions.

“This programme has helped deepen my understanding of how the EU functions. It has also helped me understand, step by step, my own role in the negotiation process.”
 –  Dmytro Sharylo, Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

Several participants underlined the programme’s strong focus on the practical application of EU-related knowledge and analytical tools in their daily work.

“I will prepare a presentation for my colleagues on understanding the roles of EU institutions and analysing EU legal acts. It’s important to know which body to approach, as the Council, the Parliament, and the Commission all have different roles.”
–   Mariia Barbara, State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection

The programme was also recognised for its contribution to improving internal coordination and the overall quality of policy work related to European integration.

“Despite all the standard answers like ‘I will use this in my daily work’—which is obvious –  I can now clearly explain to my colleagues how to improve our work, how to apply this knowledge, and where to look for real answers when we need them.”
–   Khrystyna Skora, Ministry for Communities and Territories

The Tailored Onsite Knowledge and Analytical Skills Programme is an integral component of the Natolin4Capacity Building Phase II project. The initiative is jointly implemented by the College of Europe in Natolin and the High School of Public Governance, in cooperation with the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, at the initiative of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. The programme is fully funded by the European Union.