In 2009 Europe Without Barriers initiated a creation of an association (consortium) of the same name, consisting of civil society organizations and analytical think tanks from all over Ukraine, that were professionally engaged in migration and visa policies. Geographically founding members represented cities (regions), where EU member states had their consular offices: Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Donetsk, Uzhhorod, Lutsk, Kharkiv, Vinnytsya.
The existence of association allowed to consolidate efforts of civil society activists and experts on removing obstacles towards freedom of movement in Ukraine. The participants of the project conducted a unique study – monitoring a visa practice of EU member states – and were engaged in advocating changes to the visa practice of the EU.
Within 5 years of cooperation, members of Association achieved:
- Evaluation of visa and migration practice dynamics that the EU member states experience from Ukraine.
- Preparation of recommendations on unified requirements for Schengen visas, which were partially taken into consideration by the EU, particularly with the regards to the list of documents.
- Establishing a constructive dialogue with consulates in cities of partner organizations.
- Monitoring the border crossing practice, including the work of the “single window” during Euro-2012. EWB’s recommendation on joint border control was taken into account by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
