Flanders and Europe’s eastern border: the Government of Flanders’ Strategy for the East

Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has profoundly changed the geopolitical situation on Europe’s eastern border. Flanders’ safety, stability and prosperity are directly linked to developments in this region.

The Government of Flanders has drawn up a strategy for its policy on Europe’s eastern border. It aims to strengthen cooperation between Flanders and Central and Eastern Europe. The strategy focuses initially on Ukraine and then extends to the wider region.

The strategy is built around three pillars:

1. contributing to Ukraine’s societal and economic reconstruction;
2. strengthening political and economic relations along the EU’s eastern border;
3. supporting the democratic movement in Belarus.

Flanders has supported Ukraine since the start of the war. Initially, the main focus was on receiving Ukrainian refugees in Flanders and sending emergency aid to Ukraine. Under the Strategy for the East, we are providing additional support for demining and the business community, as well as through projects with multilateral organisations.

Emergency aid

Flanders will continue to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine in 2026. In addition, Flanders will fund projects for Ukraine through multilateral organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Demining

Today, almost 30% of Ukraine’s territory is littered with mines, which seriously hinders the reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure and economic activity (e.g. agriculture). Flanders contributes to international demining initiatives and provides Flemish expertise. This also includes financial support for the non-profit organisation APOPO vzw for its demining operations.

Reception

In 2026, Flanders will continue to support Ukrainian refugees, not only by providing reception facilities but also by funding language lessons and integration programmes.

Flanders helps Ukraine (in Dutch)

Central and Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly important to the European Union. The region’s economy is doing well and is expected to grow by around 3% by 2030. For Flanders, this represents both a geopolitical priority and a significant economic opportunity.

Flanders seeks to cooperate more closely with countries along the EU’s eastern border to:

• strengthen trade and investment relations;
• develop innovation partnerships;
• better position Flemish companies within European value chains.

To achieve these objectives, Flanders will draw on its diplomatic and economic networks in the region.

Flanders will also identify the need for a stronger on-the-ground presence. This will enable it to respond more effectively to economic and geopolitical developments and to provide even more targeted support to Flemish companies in this rapidly evolving region.

Flanders supports the establishment of a democratic state in Belarus. This is important because democracy is a core value for Flanders.

A stable and democratic Belarus could also create future investment and trade opportunities for Flemish companies.

Pending a peace agreement, preparations for Ukraine’s reconstruction are already in full swing. Companies and investment will play a key role in this. The Government of Flanders is helping Flemish companies to bring their expertise to this process.

Through Team Flanders for Ukraine, Flemish government agencies (Flanders Investment and Trade/FIT, Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship/VLAIO and the Flanders Holding Company/PMV, in close collaboration with Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office/DKBUZA) are pooling their resources to support companies looking to do business in Ukraine.

The Delegations of Flanders to the EU and to multilateral organisations are closely monitoring developments in reconstruction. The diplomatic and economic delegations of Flanders in Warsaw act as a regional hub for Poland and, by extension, for Ukraine. The Delegations of Flanders in Berlin, Copenhagen, New York, Paris, Rome and Vienna are also working on the Strategy for the East in coordination with Warsaw, each focusing on the specific dossiers that are relevant to them.

Flanders will, for example, examine how it can utilise its expertise in EU legislation to support Ukraine in adopting EU standards and implementing EU legislation. In addition, Flanders will support Ukraine in its efforts to apply OECD standards.