Germany – Legal advisory services – Expert platform for Ukraine"s EU alignment in the rule of law

3*E4U: Ukraine"s EU accession process in the rule of law area Strengthening Ukraine"s EU Alignment in the Rule of Law - 3*E4U is a project commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project aims to support the Government of Ukraine in aligning its legislation with the EU acquis, focusing on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (Justice, freedom and security). These chapters cover judiciary, anti-corruption, fundamental rights, EU citizens' rights, border control, visas, migration, police cooperation, fight against organized crime and terrorism, customs cooperation, and judicial cooperation. To meet an opening benchmark for accession negotiations, Ukraine has established the Rule of Law Roadmap with around 500 reform measures. The 3*E4U project supports these reforms through legislative projects, functional audits, organizational reforms, sectoral strategies, action plans, and leadership selection. It enhances the capacities of Ukrainian Government actors to steer and implement the EU alignment process in the rule of law. Political partners include the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine (DPMO) and the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration (GOCEEI). Key implementation partners are the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, High Council of Justice, High Qualification Commission of Judges, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, National Social Service, Asset Management and Recovery Agency, and National Police. The project works in three areas: 1. Expertise: Provides legal and policy advice, capacity building activities, and high-level expert participation in the selection of rule of law sector positions. 2. Experience: Facilitates exchanges between Ukraine, EU Member States, and candidate countries. 3. Exchange: Fosters networking, cooperation, and inclusion of civil society and academia in decision-making. The project aims to enhance the capacities of national actors, enabling them to implement a cooperative and participatory EU alignment process.