Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration

Bridging AI and Access to Justice: Team SITARA Wins 2nd Place at ReMeP 2025/26! ⚖️💡

We are thrilled and proud to share that VOKI e.V. CEO Andrii Prylutskyi captained Team SITARA from The University of Göttingen (LIPIT LL.M.) to secure 2nd place at the 2nd ReMeP - Unternehmenssanierung "Law As Code" Hackathon 2025/26!

The European Court of Human Rights / Cour européenne des droits de l'homme (ECtHR) faces an ongoing access to justice crisis, with an 85% cumulative inadmissibility rate resulting in over 157,000 rejected applications between 2021 and 2025. The vast majority of these cases fail not on their merits, but due to strict, inflexible formal errors under Rule 47 of the Rules of Court. While NGOs act as a vital bridge for vulnerable applicants, caseworkers operate under severe resource constraints and an unforgiving 4-month deadline.

To directly address this bottleneck, Team SITARA developed the Fair Trial Readiness Tool (FTRT) — an AI-assisted pre-submission compliance prototype built specifically for NGO legal teams.

Key Architectural & Innovation Highlights:
Field-Specific Legal Prompting: Instead of treating an application as a generic text block, the tool breaks down the official 13-page form into its 74 mandatory fields, validating each one against expert-curated legal guidance and case law (such as Article 6 standards).
Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Architecture: To prevent automation bias and fatigued oversight in high-pressure environments, the system forces explicit verification of extracted values before running admissibility analysis, preserving professional accountability.
Secure Infrastructure & Open Source: Developed using computational resources from GWDG and the KISSKI project, the prototype ensures data sovereignty for sensitive client files. Furthermore, the entire codebase, extraction logic, and prompt templates are released under the MIT License to democratize legal tech.

Huge congratulations to the entire Team SITARA: Andrii Prylutskyi, Salome Rtveladze, Irakli Mikadze, Tarık Temur, Jyoti Goyal, and Ahsan Ali, as well as our mentor, Prof. Zsolt György Balogh.

At VOKI e.V., we believe that combining rigorous legal expertise with responsible AI is key to lowering procedural barriers and strengthening human rights protection across Europe.

🇬🇧 English version
The voice of the youth must be heard where decisions are made! 🇺🇦🇪🇺
On July 24-25, the Kyiv City Council hosted the III Youth Councils Forum, "Youth Acts in the Heart of Our Country". VOKI e.V. is immensely proud that our colleague, Member of the Founders' Council and Co-Chair of the Veterans and Youth Policy Commission, Сергій Вакуленчик (Serhiy Vakulenchyk), took an active role in this powerful event.
During the forum, Serhiy delivered a highly relevant speech on "Youth participation in decision-making and organizing events focused on the needs of the youth community". His core message strongly resonates with our institutional values: modern youth policy must be built on the principle of "Nothing for youth without youth". Every decision concerning young people must be made with their direct involvement.
The event brought together proactive youth leaders from all corners of Ukraine. It was also an important platform for dialogue with the authorities, featuring greetings and support from Kyiv Mayor Віталій Кличко (Vitaliy Klychko) and Deputy Mayor Hanna Starostenko, who emphasized the importance of partnering with the younger generation to turn strong ideas into real changes.
At VOKI e.V., we are convinced that it is exactly this kind of synergy that builds an environment where young people want to study, work, create families, and shape the future of Ukraine. We fully support Serhiy’s dedication to empowering local youth!

🇺🇦 Українська версія
Голос молоді має звучати там, де ухвалюються рішення! 🇺🇦
24-25 липня у сесійній залі Київської міської ради відбувся ІІІ Форум молодіжних рад «Молодь діє в серці нашої країни». Організація VOKI e.V. пишається тим, що наш колега, член Ради засновників та Співголова Комісії у справах ветеранів та молодіжної політики Сергій Вакуленчик, взяв активну участь у цій масштабній події.
На форумі Сергій виступив із надзвичайно актуальною темою: «Участь молоді у прийнятті рішення та організації заходів, орієнтованих на потреби молодіжної спільноти». Його головний меседж є базовим принципом нашої організації: сучасна молодіжна політика має будуватися виключно за правилом «Нічого для молоді без молоді». Кожне рішення, що стосується молодих людей, має прийматися за їхньої безпосередньої участі.
Було приємно бачити стільки небайдужої та відповідальної молоді з усіх куточків України. Важливо, що влада також демонструє готовність до діалогу — учасників привітали мер Києва Віталій Кличко та заступниця міського голови Ганна Старостенко, наголосивши, що завдання влади бути партнером, який допомагає перетворювати сильні ідеї на реальні зміни.
Ми у VOKI e.V. переконані: саме підтримуючи такі ініціативи, ми створюємо середовище, у якому молодь захоче навчатися, працювати, створювати сім'ї та пов'язувати своє майбутнє з Україною!

🇬🇧 English Version
Ukraine was never terra incognita. It was terra male cognita: not unknown, but poorly known — read through someone else’s lens and someone else’s categories.

It is with this thought that Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration e.V. would like to share impressions from the Ukrainian Studies Conference “Ukraine in the World,” held on July 8–10, 2026 at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. The event brought together more than 170 participants from 38 countries — researchers, historians, diplomats, and representatives of cultural diplomacy.

📖 The conference featured the presentation of the book “Child Abduction in the War in Ukraine: Erasing Ukrainian Identity as a Tool of War” — a joint work by Ukrainian and American researchers documenting the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to russia as a tool for destroying Ukrainian identity. The book will be published by Routledge in open access in the fall of 2026. The book was presented on the panel by Thom Reilly (Arizona State University, author), Alexander Neuman (George Mason University), and Jarrod Rodriguez (Arizona State University).

The project’s research assistant — VOKI e.V. Member of the Board and Founders' Council, Treasurer, and Head of Finance Bohdanna Duma — presented her contribution to the research: facilitating connections and communication with key project participants, and conducting a cultural sensitivity review of the materials. She also shared her perspective on how to conduct Western research on Ukraine amid a full-scale war, and noted the book’s support from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States Stefanishyna Olga and the Head of the Center for Civil Liberties and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk.

The post-panel discussion sparked strong interest and opened new contacts with researchers working on related topics — including twentieth-century deportation policies, cultural genocide, and the erasure of identity through the destruction of historical monuments.

🤝 VOKI e.V. is open to international academic and research partnerships. We invite institutions to collaborate with our organization and its expert network for joint research in the fields of: international humanitarian law and LegalTech, veteran reintegration, the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, and countering disinformation.

💛💙 Our thanks go to the organizers — the Ukrainian Institute, the Ukrainian Catholic University, and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine — as well as to the lead partner, the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, and to the event’s partners: the International Renaissance Foundation, the Mnozhyna Foundation, and Lviv City Council.

Events like this strengthen international academic solidarity around Ukraine — and that is exactly why our organization, VOKI e.V., was established.

🇺🇦 Українська версія
Україна не була terra incognita. Вона була terra male cognita: не невідома, а погано пізнана — прочитана через чужу оптику й чужі категорії.

Саме з цією думкою Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration e.V. хоче поділитися враженнями від Конференції українських студій «Ukraine in the World» / «Україна у світі», що відбулась 8–10 липня 2026 року в Українському католицькому університеті у Львові. Подія об’єднала понад 170 учасників із 38 країн світу — дослідників, істориків, дипломатів і представників культурної дипломатії.

📖 У межах конференції відбулась презентація книги “Child Abduction in the War in Ukraine: Erasing Ukrainian Identity as a Tool of War” — спільної роботи українських та американських дослідників, присвяченої документуванню незаконної депортації українських дітей до рф як інструменту знищення української ідентичності. Книга виходить восени 2026 року у видавництві Routledge у відкритому доступі. На панелі книгу представили Thom Reilly (Arizona State University, автор), Alexander Neuman (George Mason University) та Jarrod Rodriguez (Arizona State University).

Наукова асистентка проєкту — членкиня Правління та Ради засновників, скарбник і Голова фінансового напряму VOKI e.V. Богданна Дума — представила свій внесок у дослідження: сприяння налагодженню контактів із ключовими учасниками проєкту та культурну експертизу (cultural sensitivity review) матеріалів. Вона також поділилася поглядом на те, як проводити західні дослідження про Україну в умовах повномасштабної війни, і згадала підтримку книги з боку Надзвичайного і Повноважного Посла України у США Ольги Стефанішиної та Голови Центру громадянських свобод, лауреатки Нобелівської премії миру (2022) Олександри Матвійчук.

Дискусія після панелі викликала неабияке зацікавлення й започаткувала нові контакти з дослідниками суміжних тем — зокрема з політики депортацій у ХХ столітті, культурного геноциду та стирання ідентичності через знищення історичних пам’яток.

🤝 VOKI e.V. відкрита до міжнародних академічних та дослідницьких партнерств. Запрошуємо інституції до співпраці з нашою організацією та її експертною мережею для проведення спільних досліджень за напрямками: міжнародне гуманітарне право та LegalTech, реінтеграція ветеранів, порядок денний «Жінки, мир, безпека» (WPS) та протидія дезінформації.

💛💙 Дякуємо організаторам — Українському інституту, Українському католицькому університету та Міністерству культури України, а також провідному партнерові — Глобальній коаліції українських студій, і партнерам заходу: Міжнародному фонду «Відродження», Фундації «Множина» та Львівській міській раді.

Такі події зміцнюють міжнародну наукову солідарність навколо України — саме заради цього й була заснована наша організація, VOKI e.V.

Meet the Board: Introducing Wachtang-David Nagler, Expert at VOKI! 🌍🇪🇺

Effective cross-border cooperation in complex environments requires a deep understanding of both high-level diplomacy and on-the-ground realities. That is the exceptional expertise Wachtang-David Nagler brings to the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

As a European affairs and humanitarian professional, Wachtang-David has extensive experience working in and around Ukraine. He seamlessly bridges the gap between academic expertise in international relations and practical field action.

His core areas of impact include:
🔹 Fostering cross-border cooperation in complex environments
🔹 Project coordination and stakeholder engagement
🔹 Policy advocacy and qualitative research
🔹 Driving public policy and humanitarian initiatives

At VOKI, Wachtang-David serves as an Expert, guiding our strategic engagements and helping us navigate the intricacies of European affairs. We are thrilled to have his profound diplomatic and humanitarian insight on the team! 👇

📧 Connect with Wachtang-David regarding European affairs and cross-border cooperation: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Stanislav Sochynskyi, Co-Chair (Veterans) at VOKI! 🚀🇪🇺

Modern solutions to integration and resilience require a dynamic blend of technology, entrepreneurship, and grassroots community action. That is exactly what Stanislav Sochynskyi brings to the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

With over 6 years of experience in IT and Product Management across Mobility, HealthTech, and FinTech, Stanislav understands how to build and scale impactful solutions. Beyond tech, he is deeply committed to empowering communities. From providing extensive career mentoring to University of Tartu students to actively organising civilian preparedness courses (including first aid and drone operation) in Estonia, his dedication is truly inspiring.

His core areas of impact include:
🔹 Co-leading veteran reintegration and support initiatives
🔹 Implementing innovative tech and product management approaches
🔹 Organising community training in civilian preparedness and first aid
🔹 Empowering youth through educational and career mentoring

At VOKI, Stanislav serves as Co-Chair, driving our Veterans department alongside Serhiy. We are thrilled to have his entrepreneurial spirit and tech-driven expertise on the board! 👇

📧 Connect with Stanislav regarding veteran support, tech partnerships, and community initiatives: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Сергій Вакуленчик (Serhiy Vakulenchyk), Co-Chair (Veterans) at VOKI! 🇺🇦🤝

True integration and rebuilding start with supporting those who defend our future. That is the vital mission Serhiy Vakulenchyk leads at the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

With over 8 years of project management expertise in youth, social, and humanitarian policy, Serhiy combines his civic professionalism with frontline dedication. As an active assistant military chaplain and a member of a mobile fire unit, he brings a deeply grounded and unique perspective to our NGO.

His core areas of impact include:
🔹 Veteran reintegration and comprehensive support programs
🔹 Providing critical assistance to the families of fallen heroes
🔹 Advancing tactical medicine initiatives
🔹 Driving youth policy and European integration at the community level

At VOKI, Serhiy serves as Co-Chair, leading our Veterans department. His courage, empathy, and hands-on experience make him an invaluable leader for our civil society initiatives! 👇

📧 Connect with Serhiy regarding veteran support and youth programs: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Oksana Drozdovska, Head of Analytics (WPS) at VOKI! 📊🇪🇺

In a rapidly changing landscape, effective policy development requires deep analytical insight and a strong focus on equality. That is the specialized expertise Oksana Drozdovska brings to the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

Oksana is a leading expert on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, European integration, and gender equality in politics. She excels in translating complex societal challenges into actionable policies and strategic documents.

Her core areas of impact include:
🔹 Developing policies and strategic documentation
🔹 Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda
🔹 Conducting high-level analytical research
🔹 Advocating for gender equality and European integration

At VOKI, Oksana heads our Analytics Commission, ensuring that our initiatives are backed by rigorous research and strategic foresight. We are incredibly proud to have her guiding our analytical efforts! 👇

📧 Connect with Oksana regarding analytical research and WPS initiatives: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Ivanna Prylutska, Head of the Grants Commission at VOKI! 🔬📝

Great projects need strong foundations and compelling narratives to secure funding. That is where Ivanna Prylutska’s expertise becomes a game-changer for the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

As a PhD researcher in molecular and cancer biology, Ivanna approaches civil society projects with the same analytical precision she applies in the lab. Beyond her scientific career, she is a passionate advocate for public education and youth development.

Her core areas of impact include:
🔹 Leading grant writing and project proposal development
🔹 Securing vital funding for humanitarian and integration initiatives
🔹 Developing educational programs for children and youth
🔹 Bringing a strong scientific and evidence-based dimension to our NGO

At VOKI, Ivanna heads our Grants Commission, transforming our strategic ideas into actionable, funded projects. We are honored to have her scientific and civic leadership on board! 👇

📧 Connect with Ivanna regarding grant collaborations and project proposals: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Bohdanna Duma, Board Member & Treasurer at VOKI! 🛡️💼

Navigating the complexities of international security, institutional partnerships, and transparent financial management requires exceptional expertise. That is exactly what Bohdanna Duma brings to the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

As a Chief Specialist in the Analytics Division at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Bohdanna possesses a profound understanding of international security and foreign policy. Holding Master’s degrees in International Politics and International Security, her analytical rigour is invaluable to our strategic mission.

Her core focus areas include:
🔹 Conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives
🔹 Advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas
🔹 Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration
🔹 Political analysis, Government Relations (GR), and international partnerships

At VOKI, Bohdanna serves as our Treasurer, ensuring impeccable financial management, budgeting, and donor reporting. Her blend of public sector experience and financial stewardship is a cornerstone of our organisation's reliability.

We are incredibly proud to have her on the board! 👇

📧 Connect with Bohdanna regarding financial inquiries and partnerships: [email protected]

Meet the Board: Introducing Николай Чечулин (Mykola Chechulin), Deputy Chair at VOKI! 🇪🇺

Bridging the gap between legal frameworks and human well-being is essential for sustainable integration. That is the unique intersection where Mykola Chechulin operates at the Verein für osteuropäische Kooperation und Integration (VOKI).

As a researcher in international private law and a specialist in practical psychology, Mykola brings a holistic approach to our initiatives. His deep understanding of civil law and European integration ensures our projects align with EU standards, while his psychological expertise ensures we never lose sight of the human element.

His core areas of impact include:
🔹 Harmonisation of EU legislation and civil law
🔹 Developing psychological support projects for vulnerable groups
🔹 Enhancing legal literacy across communities
🔹 Strengthening academic and scientific cooperation

At VOKI, Mykola serves as Deputy Chair and leads our Legal support department. We are thrilled to have his multifaceted expertise driving our mission forward! 👇

📧 Connect with Mykola regarding legal initiatives and academic cooperation: [email protected]