Civic Diplomacy Hub
In 2025, the Lviv Media Forum implemented the Civic Diplomacy Hub, a strategic initiative supported by the ERSTE Foundation. Designed to bolster Ukraine’s presence on the world stage, the project combined rigorous field research with a comprehensive training program for individuals spearheading Ukrainian interests in international dialogue.
The research phase
The project began with an in-depth needs assessment conducted by the Lviv Media Forum’s research department. The team carried out 12 intensive interviews and three focus groups involving 15 key stakeholders to identify the primary challenges faced by Ukrainians engaged in global discourse.
The resulting analytical report, “Ukrainian Non-State Actors in International Dialogue: Challenges, Problems, Solutions,” offered actionable recommendations for strengthening civil society's role in diplomacy. These findings served as the architectural blueprint for the project’s educational component.
The centerpiece of the initiative was the Civic Diplomacy Hub pilot program. Twenty-two participants—including civil society leaders, heads of communications, and representatives from the Swedish and French embassies—engaged in a multifaceted curriculum:
- A three-day in-person session in Kyiv featuring workshops and Oxford-style debates.
- One-on-one consultations to refine personal branding and communication strategies.
- An exclusive session with Oleksandra Matviychuk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and head of the Center for Civil Liberties.
"The training targeted the most significant barriers for advocacy actors: emotional burnout, navigating biases, and managing manipulation during debates," shared Svitlana Myronchuk, communications manager at the Raphael Lemkin Society. "These are unique, essential skills that are difficult to find elsewhere."
The program featured a distinguished roster of trainers and mentors:
Iryna Eigelson — PhD in Psychology, conflict studies expert, facilitator, and senior fellow at the Mediation and Dialogue Research Center at NaUKMA. Member of the Ukrainian Community of Dialogue Practitioners.
Iryna Domnenko — trainer and facilitator at the CSO “Dobrá Dolia,” Ukraine’s first association for interactive learning; developer of training programs for CSOs and youth. Co-founder of the podcasts Rakamakafo and What About.
Kateryna Ryabiko — co-founder of H+H Labs PSA, a group of companies advancing Ukrainian innovations to address global climate challenges and promote the concept of “diplomacy through innovation.”
Inna Kalinina — communications specialist, PR director, and cultural diplomat with over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, creative production, and public relations.
Olena Lobova — expert in public relations and strategic communications. She leads the NGO Change Communications, whose mission is to elevate communication standards in public projects across Ukraine.
The program’s success is reflected in the 19 communication projects developed by participants, ranging from three-month organizational strategies to niche international initiatives.
Khrystyna Rybachok, project manager at the Swedish Embassy in Ukraine, noted: "This program exceeded my expectations. It wasn't just networking; it was practical coaching that helped me systematize my experience and expand my horizons."
Projects launched through the Hub include a communication strategy for the Liki24 Foundation and "Memories in Boxes," a new initiative by attorney Natalia Bukhta designed to support Ukrainian children currently living in the UK and Denmark.
The “Civic Diplomacy Hub” project was implemented by the Lviv Media Forum with support from the ERSTE Foundation.
