Organisers: Build Ukraine Back Better Platform, Chatham House Ukraine Forum, Foundations for Ukraine, European Endowment for Democracy, Institute for State Effectiveness, International Renaissance Foundation, Open Society Foundations, RISE Ukraine Coalition, Robert Bosch Stiftung, and Stefan Batory Foundation.

Format: in-person

Bringing together Ukrainian and international civil society organizations, foundations, and international partners, the 2026 Civil Society Forum provides a space to strengthen collective priorities, foster partnerships, and advance civil society's role as a strategic partner in Ukraine's recovery ahead of the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Held at the European Solidarity Centre—a venue closely associated with solidarity and the power of civi movements—the Forum will focus on how civil society, communities, government, and international partners can work together to build a recovery that is inclusive, accountable, locally owned, sustainable, and resilient. Particular attention will be given to strengthening partnerships, supporting community-led recovery, investing in people and institutional capacity, and ensuring that recovery processes remain transparent, participatory, and aligned with Ukraine's European future.

At the heart of the Forum is the presentation of the Gdańsk Common Message, developed through a broad consultation process involving civil society actors from across Ukraine and beyond. Participants will discuss how the Message's recommendations can inform recovery policy and practice, identify opportunities for collective action, and explore how momentum generated in Gdańsk can be carried forward into the recovery of Ukraine.