On February 15, 2024, within the scope of the 4th International Scientific Symposium “Sustainable Development – Status and Prospects”, a round table on “Sustainable Community Development” was held, moderated by Dr. Natalia Kovalenko, Professor of Economics.
Participants included representatives from well-known Ukrainian universities and partner universities of the Erasmus+ KA220-HED project “Transformative Learning Network for Sustainable and Resilient (Post-War) Ukraine”. Participants discussed global trends and Ukrainian realities in enhancing the effectiveness of communities’ roles in the economic development of local territories and the country as a whole.
Representatives from the National Transport University presented a report on “Sustainable Community Development”, emphasizing the need for new approaches to management and development of communities through effective tools for sustainable and comprehensive recovery of communities, including those affected by war. The involvement of the academic and teaching community, and students in the planning and implementation process of community recovery is a key success factor. As a result of the round table, it was proposed to:
- Establish contacts with communities regarding their involvement in strategic planning in the field of sustainable community development.
- Organize familiarization trips to communities that have successfully implemented programs and projects within the country.
Summarizing the discussion, round table participants highlighted the importance of active community participation in the process of sustainable development and the recovery of affected territories. The significance of interaction between scientific-educational institutions and local communities was identified as key to implementing effective recovery and development strategies. Participants expressed confidence that the implementation of the proposed initiatives would help stimulate economic growth, social stability, and environmental safety at the local level, laying a solid foundation for Ukraine’s future development.
