Autumn National Assembly 2026

From 9 to 11 October 2026, volunteers from across Ukraine gathered in Lviv for the Autumn National Assembly of Erasmus Student Network Ukraine. Organised by ESN Kyiv, the three-day event brought together sections, candidate sections and international guests to exchange experiences, reflect on the network's progress and explore ways to make Erasmus+ opportunities more accessible to Ukrainian students. The Assembly also marked an important milestone: ESN Ternopil officially became a full section of ESN Ukraine.

A New Chapter for the Network

The Autumn National Assembly is an opportunity for ESN Ukraine's volunteers to come together, review their work and discuss the future of the organisation. This year's gathering was particularly meaningful for ESN Ternopil.

After participating in the Spring National Assembly 2026 in Odesa as a candidate section, the Ternopil team returned to Lviv to celebrate its transition to full membership. What the team described as a "new chapter" represented another step in the growth of ESN Ukraine's national network.

Delegations from across the country, including both Lviv sections, ESN IFNUL and ESN LPNU, took part in the Assembly. Representatives of the sections shared updates on their activities, reflected on recent achievements and outlined their plans for the coming months.

The event also welcomed emerging teams, including six representatives of the ESN Mariupol State University Candidate Section, led by its president, Kateryna Chupryna.

Erasmus+ Unlocked: Making Mobility More Accessible

Under the theme "Erasmus+ Unlocked: Inclusive Mobility for Ukrainian Students", the Assembly focused on a challenge that remains particularly relevant in Ukraine: helping more students understand, access and benefit from international mobility opportunities.

Throughout the weekend, participants explored both the possibilities offered by Erasmus+ and the obstacles students may encounter along the way.

An Erasmus+ Toolkit session introduced practical resources for students interested in going abroad, while a panel discussion examined barriers to academic mobility, student rights and available support mechanisms.

Workshops brought these conversations into practice. Participants explored the Erasmus+ application process, including the Learning Agreement, identified common mobility challenges and worked on possible solutions. Other sessions addressed inclusion in education, the people and institutions shaping students' mobility experiences, and public speaking as a tool for student advocacy.

The discussions built on two online events held in September under the Erasmus+ Unlocked initiative, which had already invited students to share their experiences, expectations and concerns about academic mobility.

Sharing Experiences Across Borders

International cooperation was another important part of the Assembly. Representatives of ESN Hungary joined the gathering to share insights into their national organisation, present approaches developed within their network and lead a workshop for participants.

Their contribution provided an opportunity to compare experiences, learn from another ESN national organisation and exchange ideas about student representation and volunteer-led initiatives.

The Assembly also received support from the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, which contributed materials for participants alongside ESN Kyiv.

Looking Towards the Future

The Autumn National Assembly 2026 brought together two important aspects of ESN Ukraine's development: the continued growth of its national network and a shared commitment to making international education more inclusive and accessible.

With ESN Ternopil joining as a full section, new perspectives exchanged between volunteers and practical ideas emerging from the Erasmus+ sessions, the gathering in Lviv offered a foundation for the network's work in the months ahead.

As ESN Ukraine looks towards its next National Assembly in spring 2027, the conversations and connections built in Lviv highlight the importance of working together to create more opportunities for Ukrainian students.