Training “Sustainable, Resilient and Secure City Development” within the EU Erasmus+ Project “Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats”

On July 25-28, 2023, Ph.D., associate professor Viktoriia Shkola and Ph.D., associate professor Maryna Domashenko held the training “Sustainable, Resilient and Secure City Development” within the Project of the EU’s Programme Erasmus+ «Implementation of European Union mechanisms for combating modern challenges and threats» (101085700 – IMEU – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEITCH-RSCH) (2022-2025) at the Department of International Economic Relations.

During the event, participants discussed the impact of Russian aggression on Ukraine’s energy sector, starting with gas conflicts, the annexation of Crimea, the partial occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and ending with a full-scale invasion; war and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, ensuring stability and sustainable development; implementation of the circular economy program in Ukraine, taking into account the experience of EU circular cities. Furthermore, the participants of the training studied the EU cities’ cases regarding the achievement of the city’s climate neutrality and the implementation of zero waste practices.

External experts were involved in the discussions, namely

  • Oleg Olefirenko – Doctor of Science in Economics, associate professor, CEO, Тechnochim LLC, presented the report “Problems, challenges and prospects for cross-border development of enterprises of the machine-building sector under martial law: Тechnochim LLC case”;
  • Olena Klunko – Chief specialist of the Department for Appointment of Targeted Social Benefits of the Department of Social Protection of the Population, Nizhyn District State Administration, presented the report “State social program to support Ukraine’s population suffered as a result of Russian Federation’s military aggression”;
  • Svitlana Martyniuk – practical psychologist, Sumy State University, member of Ukraine’s Higher School Psychologists Association, held a workshop on effective self-regulation skills facilitating psychological recovery;
  • Tetana Kurbatova – D. in Economics, Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow of the Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex (the United Kingdom), presented the report “Energy component in Russian aggression against Ukraine”;
  • Mykola Petrushenko – Doctor of Science in Economics, Associate professor, Head of the Department of Economic Management of Natural Recourses, State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic&Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine”, presented the report “The World’s best experience in managing natural assets toward blue growth”;
  • Hanna Shevchenko – Doctor of Science in Economics, professor, Visiting Researcher, Northumbria University (The United Kingdom), presented the report «War tourism and sustainable development: resilience in times of crisis».

The total audience of registered participants of the third module is over 150 people from Germany, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, the UK, and Ukraine, including scientists, academics and teachers, students, representatives of state and local authorities, businesses, as well as other stakeholders.

Participating in the training helped participants develop crucial skills for combating modern challenges and threats to success in higher education, careers, and professional life in a modern democratic society. Meanwhile, it should be noted that within a practice-oriented framework, the training course participants obtained effective self-regulation skills facilitating psychological recovery.

More detailed information on a website