On 25 June 2024, the Polissya Nature Conservation Cluster was established to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in the areas of environmental protection, organisation, and management of nature reserve areas in the Polissya region of Ukraine. This important step is aimed at restoring natural complexes and improving management practices.

The cluster was formed by educational institutions, including Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Lutsk National Technical University, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Polissia National University, Malyn Professional College, and The Polissia Foundation for International and Regional Studies.

The Polissia Foundation for International and Regional Studies has been operating for over 20 years, and cooperation with the Chernihiv National Polytechnic University began in 2015, which allowed for the implementation of several joint projects. Currently, based on the established University-City Cooperation Centre (UniCities), Chernihiv Polytechnic and the Polissia Foundation for International and Regional Studies are starting to develop a Comprehensive Community Recovery Programme for Chernihiv Oblast, which will take into account elements of green reconstruction, climate change mitigation tools, and sustainable development goals.

The cluster’s activities are focused on cooperation with key nature reserve sites, such as the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve, Shatsk National Nature Park, Drevlyansky Nature Reserve, Rivne Nature Reserve, Nobel National Nature Park, Cheremsky Nature Reserve, Mizhrichinsky Nature Reserve, Polissia Nature Reserve and Pripyat-Stokhid National Nature Park.

This strategic partnership is closely linked to the UniCities project, which is being implemented with the support of the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme and aims to unlock the transformative potential of Ukrainian universities as catalysts for change to create climate-neutral and sustainable cities. 

The cluster brings together leading educational institutions and nature reserves, which creates unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research and projects. This contributes to the development of new approaches to solving environmental problems and allows the implementation of ambitious plans for sustainable development and climate neutrality.

The Polissia cluster helps to expand the UniCities partner network at the regional level. This helps the project to establish cooperation with local organisations, businesses, and government agencies, which increases its impact and effectiveness in implementing sustainable solutions.

The successful implementation of the Polissia Cluster can serve as a model for other regions of Ukraine and Europe. It demonstrates how academic, scientific, and practical efforts can be effectively combined to achieve the goals of sustainable development and the fight against climate change.

Together, we are building a future where science, education, and innovative solutions form a synergy to protect the environment and improve the quality of life.