September 22–26, 2025, Tatariv, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, Ukraine

The final event of the international TransLearnN project — «Summer Camp & Conference» — has commenced in the picturesque Ukrainian Carpathians. This five-day event marks the culmination of two years of dedicated work towards establishing a transformational educational network for the sustainable development of Ukraine.

The event brought together over 120 participants: representatives from more than 21 Ukrainian higher education institutions, 4 European partner universities from Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, as well as 21 associated partners — civil society organizations, government officials, and business representatives.

Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, as the leader of Work Package 5 (Dissemination), assumed full responsibility for organizing this large-scale event. The university was represented by a substantial delegation comprising students and academic staff from the Department of Ecology and Environmental Technologies, representatives from the International Relations Office, the Innovation Hub, and the university administration.

The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses from: Vice-Rector for Research, Academic Affairs and Innovative Development of Zhytomyr Polytechnic Dmytrii Hrytsyshen, Vice-Rector of the National Transport University Vitalii Kharuta, Vice-Rector for Research of the Ukrainian National Forestry University Vasyl Lavnyi, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine Svitlana Shytikova, Project Leader Pierre Ibisch, and Project Coordinator Angela Dichte from the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Germany).

Day 1 (September 22) — Opening and Networking

Coordinator: Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE)

The first day commenced with the opening ceremony followed by a series of thematic presentations on «Sustainable Development», «Transformation», and «Transdisciplinarity». Participants engaged in the workshop «Future Scenarios for Ukraine’s Development» using the World Café method, followed by a panel discussion «The Role of Universities in the Sustainable Transformation of Ukraine». The evening concluded with networking activities and live music.

Day 2 (September 23) — Sustainability Management in Ukrainian Universities

Coordinator: National Transport University (NTU)

This day focused on presenting the experience of European Sustainability Centres and the outcomes of the «University Sustainability» working group. Partner universities showcased their institutional changes towards sustainable development. A workshop utilizing the DIY4Change method and a presentation of the TransLearnN platform were conducted. The day concluded with a case study on «Conflict Management in Protected Areas» featuring a role-play exercise, followed by a guided tour of Tatariv village.

Day 3 (September 24) — Sustainability in Teaching and Learning

Coordinators: Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University (KhNAHU) and Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University

The highlight of the day was the scientific-practical conference «Transformational Approaches to Sustainable Development: Environmental Education, Science, and Conservation Practices for Ukraine’s Recovery», which included a certificate award ceremony. Results from the development of educational courses were presented: «Strategic Adaptive Management for Sustainable Reconstruction and Recovery», «Sustainable Business Models», and «Sustainable Pathways and Risk Management in Crisis Situations». Discussions covered course piloting outcomes, spring schools, and integration into university curricula. A panel discussion «Developing a New Sustainability-Oriented Educational Culture» and a practical workshop concluded the intensive day. The evening featured a gala dinner.

Day 4 (September 25) — Partnerships between Universities, Communities, and Protected Areas

Coordinator: National Transport University (NTU)

A field day entitled «Partnership Ecosystem: Universities, Communities, and Protected Areas» followed the route Tatariv → Kvasy → Carpathian Biosphere Reserve → Tatariv.

Participants visited the «Rosenthal» eco-farm, where they explored local ecological business practices and learned about the implementation of the project «Support for Protected Areas in Ukraine».

At the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, parallel sessions were held. For academics and stakeholders: presentations on partnership experiences from the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, and Dmytrivka Community of Kyiv Region; introduction of the Protected Area Research Community for Ukrainian Recovery platform. For students: an educational excursion «Mountain Ecology and the History of Natural Resource Use in the Ukrainian Carpathians», and a business simulation game «Psychological Aspects of Building Communication Networks».

Day 5 (September 26) — Results and Roadmap

Coordinator: Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University

The final day was dedicated to summarizing outcomes: presentation of project dissemination results and discussion of opportunities for continued collaboration. The closing ceremony recognized participant contributions and featured the awarding of certificates and gifts. The event concluded with the adoption of a roadmap for sustaining cooperation beyond the project’s completion.

TransLearnN Project Achievements

Over two years of implementation (October 2023 — December 2025), the project has achieved significant results:

• Established a robust transformational educational network comprising over 500 participants
• Engaged 25 higher education institutions from Ukraine and Europe
• Formed partnerships with 21 associated partners
• Developed and piloted innovative educational courses on sustainable development
• Trained students as change agents for Ukraine’s sustainable transformation
• Created the TransLearnN online platform to support the network