The final outcome of the UniCities project, co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme, was the international forum “Transition Lab Forum II: Universities as Drivers of Green Recovery in Ukrainian Cities”.

The main focus of the forum was how Ukraine’s recovery can be based on climate neutrality and sustainable urban development, and how universities can contribute to this. The forum was held in a hybrid format via a teleconference between Stockholm, Kyiv and Chernihiv.

First Vice-Rector, Doctor of Economics, Professor Shkarlet S. and Vice-Rector for Scientific Work, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Prystupa A. shared their experiences of how international cooperation can be transformed into concrete local development strategies.

Master’s student Anastasiia Soroka, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics programme, presented her participation in the project’s training programme and summer schools and noted the role of students in shaping future urban policy. The Forum also emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation for the sustainable development of Ukraine.

Svitlana Shytikova, Director of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, highlighted the contribution of Erasmus+ projects to strengthening institutional capacity and European integration processes. The UniCities Transition Lab Forum II provided a space for meaningful dialogue, exchange of experience and the formation of future-oriented partnerships. The forum confirmed that universities are not only centres of knowledge but also strategic partners capable of combining European priorities with the needs of communities and supporting Ukraine’s path to climate-neutral, resilient and sustainable cities.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).