The EU4Youth fellowship – a step towards professional growth for Liliia Antoniuk
In 2022, Ukraine was granted candidate status for European Union membership during a time of profound crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. This step not only recognised the will of the Ukrainian people, but also signified a collective commitment to a future based on democratic values, the rule of law, and equality. One of the strong advocates of these values is Liliia Antoniuk – researcher, activist, and public policy expert – for whom Ukraine’s European integration is more than a national project: it is a deep-rooted conviction, nurtured through years of academic and practical work on EU-Ukraine relations.
“Since 2019, I’ve been actively involved in EU-Ukraine relations. My journey began when I became a Young European Ambassador in Ukraine. This role allowed me to engage directly with youth, civil society, and EU institutions to promote shared values. In 2020, I was invited to work as a consultant for the EU NEIGHBOURS East regional communication programme, where I coordinated the Young European Ambassadors’ initiative in Ukraine. Over the next four years, I led its development, organising impactful activities and campaigns in cooperation with the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, educational institutions, and NGOs. This work provided me with practical insight into the EU’s public diplomacy efforts and the challenges of sustaining democratic engagement during times of crisis,” says Liliia Antoniuk.
The Natolin Fellowship Programme, part of the EU4Youth programme, was a natural next step in her personal and professional development. She was particularly drawn to its focus on the EU’s relations with neighbouring countries and the Eastern Partnership’s evolving architecture. Through this programme, she sharpened her research and policy skills, expanded her international networks, and is now ready to contribute meaningfully to current debates on enlargement, democracy, and gender equality in the EU’s external action.
“My motivation to apply for the Natolin Fellowship Programme came from my longstanding commitment to developing EU-Ukraine relations, democratic resilience, and gender equality, both in academic research and through practical engagement with various actors across Europe. I saw the Natolin Fellowship as a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of EU policies, institutional dynamics, and neighbourhood relations while sharing my knowledge of transformation processes in Eastern Partnership countries, particularly Ukraine,” she said.
A research focus on gender equality
For Liliia, the Natolin Fellowship Programme was more than just a professional step – it was a turning point. The interdisciplinary environment at the College of Europe in Natolin, focus on the Eastern Partnership, and direct access to EU experts gave her a new perspective of the enlargement process. During the Programme, she conducted comparative research on women’s political participation in Ukraine, using Ireland as a model for best practices. Her public policy paper, ‘Closing the Gender Gap in Politics: Lessons from Ireland for Advancing Women’s Rights in Ukraine’s EU Integration Process’, highlighted how Ireland’s experience, as a country with a conservative past and democratic transitions, could inspire Ukraine to strengthen women’s political representation. Ireland’s gender quota system and innovative legislative measures were examined in detail, along with the challenges of implementation, including underrepresentation at the local level.
“I chose this topic for several reasons. First, Ukraine’s EU accession process emphasises democratic standards, human rights, and gender equality as core European values. Despite some recent progress, Ukraine continues to score low on the Women’s Political Empowerment Index according to the Global Gender Gap Report. Second, despite its conservative social structure and the historical underrepresentation of women in politics, Ireland has implemented significant reforms, particularly through the introduction of gender quotas. These reforms offer valuable lessons, especially given Ukraine and Ireland’s similar experiences with colonisation, struggles for sovereignty, and democratic transformations,” she explains.
This research is directly relevant to Ukraine’s ongoing transformation – both in terms of democratic development and EU accession. After being granted EU candidate status in 2022 and beginning accession negotiations in 2024, Ukraine is expected to align its legal and institutional frameworks with EU standards, including those regarding gender equality. The EU sees gender equality as a core value and an integral part of its enlargement process. However, Ukraine still faces significant disparities in political representation and decision-making power.
“Women in Ukraine remain significantly underrepresented at both national and local government levels, and there is no comprehensive policy to support their political empowerment. At the same time, political transitions – including post-war recovery – present rare opportunities for institutional reforms. The inclusion of women in political processes at all levels is essential for equity and for building more inclusive, stable, and resilient governance,” notes Liliia.
During the Natolin Fellowship Programme, Liliia deepened her understanding of accession negotiations, explored the EU legal framework, and gained insight into balancing national sovereignty with European standards.
“The EU accession process offers Ukraine a rare opportunity for institutional reform. However, if we fail to include women in this process, we risk perpetuating the same inequalities. We need policies that meet EU standards and drive real change. The Programme showed me that regional cooperation is about more than harmonising policies; it’s about building a shared vision for peace, stability, and development. It was an experience that refined both my academic thinking and my diplomatic calling,” she says.
Solidarity and shared learning across Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia
One of the Natolin Fellowship Programme’s greatest strengths was its close collaboration with fellows from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. This fostered an exchange of perspectives on how EU integration is perceived, pursued, and implemented in their respective countries. Although they all share the same aspiration of joining the EU, each country faces unique challenges shaped by its political history, governance structures, and external pressures.
“This collaboration gave me invaluable insight into Moldova and Georgia’s unique paths toward integration, from internal reform dynamics to societal debates and regional vulnerabilities. Ultimately, our regional group fostered solidarity and highlighted the value of shared learning and peer support in navigating the complex road to EU membership. This experience has reaffirmed my belief that Ukraine’s European future is inextricably linked to the broader success and stability of the Eastern Partnership region,” Liliia added.
European Parliament – from fellow to committed professional
During the programme, Liliia had the opportunity to apply her knowledge at the heart of Europe. She completed an internship at the European Parliament that later turned into an ongoing professional collaboration. She worked closely with a Member of the European Parliament, contributing to policy development and monitoring legislative files relevant to EU enlargement.
Liliia Antoniuk currently continues her work at the European Parliament, where she began as a Natolin Fellow. She also serves as the executive director of the Women’s League NGO and remains actively involved in strengthening civil society in Ukraine, particularly through initiatives focused on youth leadership and women’s empowerment.
The EU4Youth Phase III Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in the Eastern Partnership countries, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The programme aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle youth unemployment and improve employability.
The Natolin Fellowship Programme is funded by the EU and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania as part of and in the framework of the project EU4YOUTH – Phase III Youth Employment, and Entrepreneurship programme Scholarship Scheme for Eastern Partners at the College of Europe in Natolin (“EU4Youth-Natolin4EaP”).
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