On 8–9 April 2026, the Environment Agency Austria organised a webinar on invasive alien species (IAS) for Ukraine under the EU4Green Recovery East programme. The event brought together a strong audience, with over 200 participants at peak, including representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, scientific institutions and protected area administrations.
Invasive alien species are plants and animals introduced (intentionally or accidentally) into environments where they do not naturally occur. They can spread rapidly, threatening native biodiversity, damaging ecosystems, and even impacting human health and the economy. In Europe alone, their economic cost is estimated at around €12 billion per year. To address this, the EU has put in place clear rules requiring countries to prevent new introductions, detect and eradicate emerging threats early, and manage species that are already widespread.
The webinar highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to identify and map invasive species, while also offering insights from Austria, Czech Republic and Poland on practical implementation of the Invasive Alien Species EU Regulation. By strengthening knowledge and supporting legislative alignment, the EU4Green Recovery East programme helps Ukraine move closer to EU environmental standards and better protect its ecosystems.
