The UniCities project team is convinced that participation in international scientific events is a great opportunity to share European approaches, inspire Ukrainian partners, and form a common vision of change. It is important not only to adapt innovative models to the local context, but also to build sustainable academic and expert ties necessary for Ukraine’s integration into the larger European context.

Thus, on May 21, 2025, the IІI International Scientific and Practical Conference “Sustainability of Education and Science in the Context of Transformation” was held at the Academician Yuriy Bugay International Scientific and Technical University, organized with the participation of the UniCities project consortium.

The event brought together more than 100 participants from Ukraine and abroad – experts in education, science, urbanism, digital technologies, law, psychology, and sustainable development.

The conference featured a thematic panel entitled “Green Transformation of Ukraine on the Path to European Integration.” It became a dialogue platform for discussing the role of universities in ensuring climate neutrality, a fair green transition, and engaging stakeholders in the change process.

The speakers of the panel were leading experts in urbanism, sustainable development, and law, members of the UniCities project team:

• Olga Kordas, Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Development at the Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm, Sweden) and Director of the Viable Cities, presented a vision of how universities can lead the green transition by shaping the values and competencies necessary for a sustainable future.

• Jaime Moreno Serna, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Department of Organizational Engineering, Business Management and Statistics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Expert Advisor at itdUPM and Viable Cities, emphasized the importance of deep engagement with local communities when implementing innovative approaches to urban governance that prioritize sustainability and inclusiveness.

• Ievgeniia Kopytsia, PhD in Law, MSCA4Ukraine Research Fellow at the University of Genoa, Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Law at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Head of the Center for Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Law, and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Oxford Faculty of Law, introduced conference participants to the challenges and opportunities of the green transition for Ukraine in the context of security, justice, and post-crisis recovery.

The conference demonstrated the synergy of the international academic community in finding solutions for transformations in the education system, the scientific sphere, and urban governance. Despite the difficult realities, Ukraine is actively shaping a roadmap for climate transformation, and intensifying discussions is a necessary component of implementing changes at the level of municipalities, universities, and communities.

The UniCities team is proud to share its experience, promote cooperation, and shape a common European future. Only together, through knowledge sharing, partnership, and trust, can we achieve real results.