DELEGATION OF EuropeAid Cooperation Office of the European Commission HAS VISITED CCC CREATIVE CENTER

On September 30, 2009 highly respected delegation of EuropeAid Cooperation Office of the European Commission within its working visit to Ukraine visited CCC Creative Center Office in order to get acquainted with the activity of organization. The meeting has involved Ms. Dominique Dellicour, the Head of Unit, Governance, Human Rights, Democracy and Gender at EuropeAid Cooperation Office of the European Commission; Ms. Corinne Andre, Operations Quality Support, Governance, Human Rights, Democracy and Gender at EuropeAid Cooperation Office of the European Commission; Mr. Jean-Charles de Cordes, Coordinator for Thematic programmes, EuropeAid Cooperation Office of the European Commission; Charles-Michel Geurts, Deputy Head of the Human Rights and Democratisation Unit of the European Commission; and Stanislav Topolnytskyy adviser for press, questions, and information the Office of European Commission in Ukraine. CCC Creative Center was represented by Lyubov Palyvoda, CCC President, Volodymyr Kupriy, Executive Director and Roman Shutow, Program Manager.

The visitants were interested in new tendencies of civil society development on the ground of Ukraine; the needs faced by Ukraine's public organizations in the context of cooperation with Europe and the course of CCC projects funded by the European Commission in Ukraine.

CCC President Lyubov Palyvoda informed of the urgent necessity of the Ukrainian society for democratic institutions development and local public inspiration. “Under Ukrainian conditions, out of all the levels of self-government these are local councils at the level of community which have the biggest power to influence people's life,” she said. “To make their activity as transparent and as close to common people's needs as possible is a target CCC is aiming at in the work with communities of Ukraine.”

During conversation the meeting participants could not pass over the Project at present implemented by CCC Creative Center under financial support of the EU. CCC Executive Director Volodymyr Kupriy explained it to the visitants, what situation caused the need for the Planning by Communtiy Project. The course of the Project and plans of its performers were reflected by Project Manager Roman Shutow.

The European Commission representatives were pleased with the results of all the efforts made by public organizations in Ukraine and by CCC in particular for establishment of democracy and protection of human rights. “We have always been claiming that priority in the external aid of the European Commission must be given to community's organizations, but for that we need simplify our procedures, which is not possible so far,” Charles-Michel Geurts said. “Well, what do we see in CCC? You receive the grant and pass it to communities. It means that you just do what we have no opportunity to do.”

At the end of the meeting the guests admitted that their visit to Ukraine gave them new inspiration and encouragement for work. “When we see what achievements are obtained by public organizations in Ukraine, we understand that our work is really helpful for people,” EuropeAid representatives stated.

For their part CCC ensured the colleagues they are ready to go on developing these achievements and to put every effort to raise the level of civil society development in Ukraine up to the level of the European standards.