Ukrainian professionals have begun training as trainers on countering Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to help apply European anti-SLAPP standards in practice.
Two academic experts from the Mohyla School of Journalism at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the Faculty of Law of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv took part in the first session of a three-part Train-the-Trainer Programme held on 13–15 October 2026 in Prague. The programme is organised by the CEELI Institute in co-operation with the U.S. Federal Judicial Center and the Council of Europe.
The programme prepares participants to adapt a training course for Ukrainian audiences and to deliver it as Council of Europe experts. It covers European anti-SLAPP standards, procedural safeguards, legal remedies and the protection of freedom of expression.
The first session looked at European approaches to countering SLAPPs, including the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and the Council of Europe’s Recommendation on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation. The remaining sessions are scheduled for January and spring 2027.
The result will be a pool of Ukrainian experts who can bring European knowledge into national practice. After completing the programme, they are expected to help develop and deliver training for Ukrainian audiences, including judges, so that they can better identify and address SLAPPs.
This work complements the Council of Europe’s wider support for anti-SLAPP efforts in Ukraine. The Council of Europe was the first international organisation in Ukraine to support the development of anti-SLAPP legislation. Its policy guidance document on freedom of expression and anti-SLAPP safeguards provided a basis for the work of a dedicated working group established in 2025 under the Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech. The Council of Europe subsequently provided a legal opinion on the draft legislation and facilitated discussions with relevant stakeholders to support its further development. On 30 September 2026, the legislative package was finalised and registered with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The Council of Europe continues to support its adoption through advocacy and policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
The training takes place with the support of the Council of Europe Project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine – Phase II” (SFEM-UA - Phase II) is implemented by the Council of Europe Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023-2026.
