Ukrainian institutions received targeted support from the EU4Green Recovery East to prepare for one of the most crucial phases of EU accession: the bilateral screening of the current state of transposition of the EU acquis, and here in particular on Chapter 27 – the EU acquis on Environment and Climate Change.
What Is Bilateral Screening and Why Does It Matter?
As part of the EU accession process, candidate countries undergo a bilateral screening to assess how closely their national laws and institutions align with the EU acquis ahead of accession negotiations. The EU acquis is the body of existing EU legislation and standards. For Chapter 27, the environment chapter, this means demonstrating the state of current alignment with over 200 pieces of environmental and climate legislation.
To prepare for this critical step, three rounds of mock screening sessions were held between April and June 2025. These simulations replicated the structure of the actual EU screening, providing Ukrainian representatives and experts the opportunity to reflect on their state of preparations. The mock sessions allowed for receiving expert feedback in a safe environment, and for fine-tuning their institutional readiness.
A Strong Team Europe Approach
The final mock session exercise took place on 10 June 2025 in Kyiv (in hybrid form), concluding a three-part process that began in April and intensified in May. The initiative was marked by a strong Team Europe spirit, bringing together over 40 experts from seven countries, including EU Member States (Austria, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden), representatives from the Western Balkans, international organisations and independent advisors.
Together, they supported Ukraine’s technical teams in structuring presentations according to EU standards, identifying legal and institutional gaps, and offering practical recommendations for the next phase of reforms.
As one participant remarked, “This was more than a technical rehearsal—it showed what’s possible when coordination, expertise, and shared goals come together.”
Results and Lessons Learned
The simulations provided valuable insights into Ukraine’s level of preparedness, actionable feedback for improving legislative alignment, as well as confidence and structure for the official bilateral screening, which was held 16–20 June 2025.
Part of a Broader EU Commitment
This preparatory exercise was supported by the EU4Green Recovery East programme under a component dedicated to supporting alignment with the EU environmental acquis and led by the Environment Agency Austria. The programme, funded by the European Union, is meant to advance environmental reforms and green growth across the Eastern Partnership countries.
By supporting Ukraine and other partner countries in their preparations for EU integration, the EU4Green Recovery East programme contributes to a greener, more resilient future in line with the EU Green Deal.
Credit picture: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine