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FEPS Newsletter 3 March 2026 – 🇺🇦 Europe must stand with the people of Ukraine

Four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine If you have problems displaying this email, follow […]
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03/03/2026
Four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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Ukraine

Four years after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, solidarity with Ukraine remains a priority for FEPS.
 

At our annual Ukraine Solidarity Day event, we looked at securing the EU’s long-term support to Ukraine across four domains: military, political, social and economic. The latest publication of FEPS’ project ‘Progressive paths to rebuild Ukraine’ launched this week puts forth ideas and recommendations of Ukrainian women researchers on Ukraine’s future. The second, updated version of the book “Europe and the War in Ukraine” in Ukrainian will be coming soon. Stay tuned! 
 

FEPS also celebrated the closure of the Progressive Ukraine programme of FEPS’ Open Progressive University. Congratulations to the 25 Ukrainian students!
Progressive pathways for a resilient (re)construction of Ukraine

POLICY STUDY

Progressive pathways for a resilient (re)construction of Ukraine

Towards a new social contract

By Yuliya Yurchenko
 

Reconstruction in Ukraine must begin with labour by empowering workers as the engine of economic revival and national renewal.
 

Building on the Lugano Framework and its follow-up conferences, this policy study reassesses progress amid a prolonged damage-control phase. 

23 FEB – ONLINE EVENT

Ukraine Solidarity Day

Securing EU’s long-term support for Ukraine
 

Europe must reaffirm its support for Ukraine’s struggle, not only in military terms, but also socio-economically.  
 

This commitment must be long-term, consistent, and firmly anchored in support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, while being shielded from the shifting winds of far-right governments.
Ukraine Solidarity Day

FEPS continues to stand with the people of Ukraine and support its full independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukraine must win the peace

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Ukraine must win the peace

By Felix Hett, Representative of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Germany) for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova

Four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the prospects of ending the war are dim.
 

The path to peace is never ideal, but “the peace must be won”, making sure that Ukraine becomes a country worth coming back to. Read more.

Photo credits:  Shutterstock / Drop of Light

2 MARCH – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Closing ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine programme

Open Progressive University

By FEPS in collaboration with the  S&D Group
 

Congratulations to the graduates of the Progressive Ukraine programme!
 

Despite the unimaginable context of Russia’s war of aggression – facing missile attacks, constant insecurity and repeated electricity cuts – the participants successfully completed the year-long programme from the Open Progressive University. 
Closing ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine programme
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Crash! Boom! Bubble!
 

📅  11 MARCH 

📍HELSINKI, FINLAND

💻 HYBRID

Crash! Boom! Bubble!
The economics of AI and the Nordic welfare state
 

Will AI bring a new surge in productivity or is it merely a false promise? What role should AI play in the economy of the future? 
 

In the framework of the FEPS-Nordic Digital Programme, a public discussion on this topic will take place at the Think Corner Stage of the University of Helsinki. Follow it online!
Place-based industrial policy in Europe
 

📅  19 MARCH

📍 FEPS HQ

Place-based industrial policy in Europe
 

This event will discuss how regional and local political processes determine the shape of industrial policy and how social democrats can better develop, implement and manage the politics of industrial policy in critical sectors and regions. 
 

It will also the occasion to launch our upcoming policy study “Place-based industrial policy in Europe”. Register here.

Past events

See all past events

25 FEB – FEPS HQ – HYBRID

Governing the global just transition

Implementing COP30 outcomes and more through EU-Africa relations

By FEPS in collaboration with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
 

Reflecting on COP30 and looking towards COP32 in Ethiopia, this meeting discussed the EU’s role in supporting a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in Africa.
 

It included a presentation of the FEPS policy brief “Governing the global just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy”.
Governing the global just transition

📰 Check out the news platform News Ghana, which shared highlights of the event.
Progressive Migration Group – Brussels

25-26 FEB – FEPS HQ – HYBRID

People, pathways and partnership:

Reframing of AU–EU migration cooperation

Progressive Migration Group – Brussels

By FEPS in collaboration with FES and Fondazione Socialismo ETS
 

Building on expert discussions in Addis Ababa and Nairobi, and on engagements in Rome and Amsterdam in 2025, the Progressive Migration Group met to discuss: 
  • Strengthening AU–EU political dialogue
  • Improving AU–EU migration cooperation
  • Reinforcing mutual agenda-setting, multilateralism and respect for African priorities
  • Expanding genuine legal labour pathways
  • Better aligning skills, labour market needs and human rights standards
Podcasts

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

“Those who have A LOT, must PAY MORE”

With Nicolas Schmit and László Andor
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube
Listen to the podcast 'Those who have A LOT, must PAY MORE'

In this episode, FEPS President Nicolas Schmit discusses with FEPS Secretary General László Andor the rise of the far-right, which, aggravated by the transatlantic rupture, represents a great danger to Europe’s social models and democratic standards.
News
FEPS President Nicolas Schmit met with PES CoR President Luca Menesini

Photo credits: PES CoR
 

FEPS President Nicolas Schmit met with PES CoR President

Luca Menesini
 

A Social Europe and safer democracy go hand in hand.
 

Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President, met with PES CoR President Luca Menesini to discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework and how regions can drive a bottom-up approach. 
Congratulations to My Voice, My Choice!

Photo credits: My Voice, My Choice / Črt Piksi
 

Congratulations to

My Voice, My Choice!
 

The European Commission has answered citizens’ demands, helping to make safe and legal abortion more accessible. member states will now be able to use the European Social Fund to improve access to safe and legal abortion.
 

More than 20 million women still lack access simply because of the country they live in. Discover the reality of abortion in the EU with our book “Abortion in the EU“.
Progressive Post

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Social justice in Europe: Competitiveness must not come at the expense of people

By Estelle Ceulemans, Member of the European Parliament, S&D Group
Social justice in Europe: competitiveness must not come at the expense of people

Behind the rhetoric of competitiveness, simplification and economic performance, a fundamental question remains: what kind of Europe do we want to build for those who live and work here? Read more.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Saud Visuals
 

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