EBA Odesa: The Role of Communities and Civil Society Discussed at the “Join or Die” Movie Club

07/ 11/ 2026

Strong professional communities, trust and the willingness to unite around shared goals play an important role in the development of civil society. For businesses, professional associations are not only platforms for exchanging experience but also tools for representing common interests, engaging with public authorities and influencing important decisions. These topics and the impact of collective action on society were at the heart of the latest EBA Odesa movie club meeting. On 5 November, the European Business Association Southern Ukrainian Office, together with Interlegal and the Ukrainian Bar Association’s Odesa Regional Branch, held an interactive meeting of the EBA Odesa Legal Committee in a movie club format. The event brought together representatives of the legal and business communities to watch and discuss the documentary Join or Die. The documentary Join or Die explores the decline of social connections and civic engagement in the United States through the research of American political scientist Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone. The film examines how participation in civic organisations, professional associations and local communities influences interpersonal trust, social cohesion and the resilience of democratic institutions. During the discussion, participants reflected on why strong communities are essential for society, the role associations play in building them, and how professional organisations can foster a culture of cooperation and civic participation. For the European Business Association, this topic has particular practical significance. Bringing together more than 900 companies, EBA provides a platform for constructive dialogue between business and government, the development of collective positions and joint efforts to find solutions. In the first half of 2026 alone, the Association successfully advanced 61% of 76 collective initiatives and 84% of 22 individual initiatives. The EBA’s experience demonstrates that collective action enables companies not only to advocate more effectively for their shared interests but also to contribute to building a transparent and predictable business environment. At the same time, such platforms foster trust, professional connections and responsible partnerships — all essential components of civil society. We thank Interlegal and the Ukrainian Bar Association’s Odesa Regional Branch for co-organising the event. Special thanks go to Dmytro Tkachenko, Head of the UBA Odesa Regional Branch and Managing Partner at DT Partners, for moderating the discussion, and to all participants for joining the meeting and sharing their perspectives. We believe that strong professional communities capable of driving positive change in society are built through dialogue, cooperation and joint initiatives.

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On 5 November, the European Business Association Southern Ukrainian Office, together with Interlegal and the Ukrainian Bar Association’s Odesa Regional Branch, held an interactive meeting of the EBA Odesa Legal Committee in a movie club format. The event brought together representatives of the legal and business communities to watch and discuss the documentary Join or Die.

The documentary Join or Die explores the decline of social connections and civic engagement in the United States through the research of American political scientist Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone. The film examines how participation in civic organisations, professional associations and local communities influences interpersonal trust, social cohesion and the resilience of democratic institutions.

During the discussion, participants reflected on why strong communities are essential for society, the role associations play in building them, and how professional organisations can foster a culture of cooperation and civic participation.

For the European Business Association, this topic has particular practical significance. Bringing together more than 900 companies, EBA provides a platform for constructive dialogue between business and government, the development of collective positions and joint efforts to find solutions. In the first half of 2026 alone, the Association successfully advanced 61% of 76 collective initiatives and 84% of 22 individual initiatives.

The EBA’s experience demonstrates that collective action enables companies not only to advocate more effectively for their shared interests but also to contribute to building a transparent and predictable business environment. At the same time, such platforms foster trust, professional connections and responsible partnerships — all essential components of civil society.

We thank Interlegal and the Ukrainian Bar Association’s Odesa Regional Branch for co-organising the event. Special thanks go to Dmytro Tkachenko, Head of the UBA Odesa Regional Branch and Managing Partner at DT Partners, for moderating the discussion, and to all participants for joining the meeting and sharing their perspectives.

We believe that strong professional communities capable of driving positive change in society are built through dialogue, cooperation and joint initiatives.