On the role of universities in developing competencies for sustainable development: a new Erasmus+ KA2 international project at Uzhhorod National University
Representatives of Uzhhorod National University joined the kick-off meeting of the consortium within the framework of the Erasmus+ CBHE international project “Empowering Educators for a Sustainable Future: Enhancing Teacher Training Capacity for Ukraine's Recovery,” which took place on November 20-21, 2025, in a mixed format.
Assoc. Prof. Hanna Melehanych, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Ihor Vehesh, PhD, took an active part in the kick-off meeting of the new Erasmus+ KA2 project, and Vice-Rector Myroslava Lendiel delivered a welcoming speech. The event became an important platform for agreeing on the vision and strategic directions that will determine the implementation of this large-scale educational project over the next three years.
The project is coordinated by the Ukrainian State University named after M. Drahomanov, which welcomed the partners in Kyiv on the first day of the meeting. The second day was organized at the Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav, which provided an opportunity for more in-depth work in thematic groups.
During the opening, the partners familiarized themselves with the conceptual framework of the project, discussed the main challenges of teacher education in Ukraine in the context of recovery, and outlined the role of universities in the development of sustainable development competencies. Representatives of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine and university leaders emphasized the importance of systemic innovation in training a new generation of teachers.
The partners presented their own experiences in the areas of sustainable development, educational innovation, analytics, and project management, which helped to form a comprehensive vision of the consortium's potential.
The second day focused on specifying the tasks of the work packages. Project participants discussed in detail:
•management and coordination mechanisms;
•the development of sustainable development training courses for students of pedagogical specialties and teachers;
•the creation of SDG University Lab – an innovative space for research, project, and analytical activities;
•the formation of university strategies for equality and the development of an inclusive and gender-sensitive educational environment.
Particular attention was paid to the coordination of inter-institutional cooperation, calendar planning, and communication tools. Following the meeting, a steering committee, management plan, communication strategy, and format for future meetings were approved.
The partners include:
- M. Drahomanov National University of Ukraine
- Uzhhorod National University;
- National University of Ostroh Academy
- Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav;
- Association of Experts on Sustainable Development;
- Mendel University in Brno (Czech Republic);
- University of the National Education Commission in Krakow (Poland);
- Carlos III University in Madrid (Spain).
The university's accession to the consortium opens a new stage in strengthening educational potential and developing modern pedagogical practices focused on sustainable development and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. UzhNU's more than ten years of experience in the field of sustainable development and the work of the UzhNU Center for Sustainable Development will serve as a solid foundation for strengthening the potential of this project.
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