Transformational Learning Network for Resilience - Enabling Ukrainian higher education to ensure a sustainable and robust reconstruction of (post-war) Ukraine

400 000,00 €
24 months.
Project Start Date (dd/mm/yyyy) - 01/10/2023.
Project End Date (dd/mm/yyyy) - 30/09/2025.

The "Transformational Learning Network" (TLN) project aims to achieve four strategic objectives:

1. Strengthening the social and political leadership role of universities in the context of sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine. Ukrainian universities should become powerful drivers of change that promote sustainable practices in recovery and transformation processes.
2. Creating an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary educational network to develop and test innovative approaches to sustainability in both teaching and applied research, contributing to increased (post-war) resilience.
3. Supporting Ukrainian universities on their path to sustainable university management, helping them implement sustainability principles in their management practices and institutional processes.
4. Empowering students to become agents of change for sustainable and risk-oriented development, providing them with skills and knowledge for active participation in transformation processes.

These objectives fully align with the Erasmus+ program priorities, namely:

• Supporting higher education institutions in cooperation with Ukrainian partners in response to the war in Ukraine
• Supporting digital and green capabilities of the higher education sector
• Common values, civic engagement and participation

The project methodology is based on a transdisciplinary approach, which is key to achieving sustainable development. Transdisciplinarity involves:

• Integration of various scientific disciplines (ecology, management, economics, and others) for a holistic understanding of sustainability challenges
• Engagement of practitioners and experts from different sectors in co-creation of knowledge
• Active participation of students as equal partners in all work packages
• Collaboration with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as learning sites for sustainable development

The innovation of the project lies not so much in WHAT is being done, but in HOW it is implemented. The project focuses on developing cross-border cooperation between universities and partners from practice, critically reflecting on sustainability concepts and their practical implications for planning and management.

The project is structured into five work packages:

1. Project Management

• Establishing a quality and progress monitoring system
• Risk management in wartime conditions
• Ensuring financial management
• Coordinating communication between partners

2. Diagnostics

• Assessment of the current state, experiences, and teaching needs in sustainable development
• Identifying the needs of sectors represented by partner universities
• Analysis of the level of understanding of the sustainability concept
• Evaluation of sustainable management strategies of universities in the EU and Ukraine

3. Transformational Learning Network

• Creating and expanding a network of professionals and practitioners in sustainable development
• Launching a web platform for communication between network members
• Organizing a kick-off meeting and training camp
• Forming working groups on sustainable development strategy, community development, and biosphere research
• Conducting a "Train the Trainers" training

4. Course Development

• Creation of three innovative interdisciplinary courses:
  - "Strategic Adaptive Management for Sustainable Reconstruction and Restoration"
  - "Sustainable Business Models"
  - "Sustainable Pathways and Risk Management in Times of Crisis"
• Pilot testing of courses during spring schools
• Integration of developed courses into curricula of Ukrainian universities

5. Dissemination of Results

• Development and implementation of a dissemination strategy
• Creation of a project website
• Publication of results on social media
• Organization of a final conference and summer camp

Transformational Learning Network

• Establishing a network with at least 100 members in the first year and 500 members by the end of the project
• Launching a web platform as an integral structure of the Professional Association of Ecologists of Ukraine website
• Formation of working groups with specific outcomes: recommendations on sustainable university management, community development, and biosphere research

Educational Courses

• Development of three innovative courses with a complete set of educational materials, including:
  - Curricula
  - Lectures and practical tasks with real-world example
  - Self-study materials
  - Group assignments and tests
• Pilot testing of courses in three spring schools with 60 participants
• Integration of courses into curricula of Ukrainian universities

Long-term Perspectives

• Development of mechanisms to ensure sustainability of project results
• Transformation of educational courses into professional development courses for practitioners
• Further development of cooperation between partners through joint projects and initiatives

The project brings together universities from Ukraine and the EU, as well as associated partners from various sectors.

Partners from Ukraine:

• Ukrainian National Forestry University (Lviv)
• National Transport University (Kyiv)
• Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University
• Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University
• Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding (Mykolaiv)
• Odessa State Environmental University
• Pryazovskyi State Technical University (Mariupol)

Partners from the EU:

• Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Germany) - coordinator
• Rzeszow University of Technology (Poland)
• Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic)
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania)

Associated Partners: The project also involves partners from practice, including NGOs, state enterprises, research institutes, and protected area administrations.

Impact on Universities

• Strengthening the institutional capacity of universities to implement sustainability principles
• Improvement of teaching practices and updating of curricula
• Enhancement of international cooperation and internationalization
• Development of universities' capacity to play a leadership role in sustainable transformation of Ukraine

Impact on Students and Faculty

• Development of competencies in sustainable development and change management
• Providing experience in transdisciplinary collaboration
• Expanding opportunities for international mobility and exchange
• Building a network of contacts with experts and practitioners

Impact on Communities and Sectors

• Development of practical solutions for sustainable reconstruction and restoration
• Implementation of innovative approaches to natural resource management
• Raising awareness of sustainability principles among various stakeholders

Longevity of Results

• Integration of developed courses into university curricula
• Support of the web platform after project completion
• Development of further initiatives and projects based on the created network
• Dissemination of results through open educational resources

The project not only addresses the urgent needs of Ukraine in wartime conditions but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and risk-oriented approach to rebuilding the country, where universities will play a key role in formulating and implementing sustainable development strategies.