On 4 September 2025, Lviv Polytechnic National University hosted a round table discussion entitled «Railway European integration: civic participation in shaping Ukraine’s negotiating position on EU accession». The event was held in a mixed format with the participation of state authorities, railway industry specialists, businessmen, scientists, students, public organisations, Ukrainian and Polish experts. The event was organised by the Foundation for NGO Development «West Ukrainian Resource Center» as part of the project «Ukraine’s Railway Path to the EU: Civil Participation in EU Accession Negotiation» which is being implemented with the support of the European Union and the International Renaissance Foundation as part of the Joining the EU Together initiative. Lviv Polytechnic University was a partner of the event.
Professor Roman Korzh, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Vice-Rector for Institutional Development of Lviv Polytechnic, addressed the participants. He emphasised the importance of the academic community’s participation in European integration processes and noted the role of the university as a platform for professional discussions.
– The integration of Ukraine’s railway system into the EU is not just a technical modernisation of infrastructure. It is a profound transformation of the transport system in the spirit of European values: sustainability, safety, efficiency and transparency. Such a challenge requires synergy between the state, business, scientists and civil society. We are proud that Lviv Polytechnic has been a platform for professional discussions on infrastructure development, digital transformation, innovation and European integration for many years. Our teachers and students are actively involved in research and applied projects that contribute to the creation of a modern, competitive railway industry. We also support the implementation of the project «Ukraine’s Railway Path to the EU». This project is a striking example of effective civic participation in shaping the policy that will determine Ukraine’s future in Europe, said Roman Korzh.
During the round table, participants discussed the prospects for adapting the Ukrainian railway system to EU standards, technical compatibility challenges, regulatory mechanisms, and the role of civil society in shaping Ukraine’s negotiating position.
