Steady Against the Wind: Ukraine’s and Moldova’s Path Towards EU Membership
The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) will host its annual Development Day Conference on December 5, 2025. This year’s theme, “Steady Against the Wind: Ukraine’s and Moldova’s Path Towards EU Membership,” focuses on resilience and reform. The event gathers policymakers, experts, and business leaders to discuss progress toward EU integration. Organized by SITE at the Stockholm School of Economics, it explores how Sweden and the EU can support both nations’ ambitions.
Background: The Long Road to EU Membership
Despite ongoing hardships, Ukraine and Moldova are steadily advancing toward EU membership. Both have carried out vital reforms, strengthened democratic institutions. However, major challenges persist. These include corruption, judicial reform, and the struggle to ensure territorial security. Institutional capacity also remains a key issue. Even so, the two countries continue to push forward, determined to secure a stable and European future.
Conference Themes and Goals
The SITE 2025 Development Day will feature a mix of presentations and panel discussions. The sessions will explore three main themes:
- Economies & Support: Examining the economic outlook and the role of foreign aid in an uncertain world.
- Democracy & Media: Fighting corruption and disinformation while promoting transparency through media and civil society.
- People & Capacity: Building human capital, boosting institutions, and turning brain drain into brain gain.
The event will take stock of the current situation, draw lessons from past experience, and discuss how Sweden and the EU can best support the next steps.
Why It Matters
Ukraine’s and Moldova’s EU journey is more than a political process; it is a story of endurance. Their progress shows how reform and cooperation can thrive even in difficult times. Moreover, SITE’s Development Day 2025 offers a unique opportunity to reflect, collaborate, and shape the future of Europe together.
Join the Conversation
Entry is free, but registration is required. Venue details will be shared with confirmed participants. To register or learn more, visit the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) website or contact site@hhs.se.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed during events and conferences are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.