Moving forward to bring the European perspective closer to Ukrainian society!

On October 6, 2023, the first meeting (Kick-off meeting) dedicated to the launch of the project “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU [BOON]” (101127100) was held, which was supported by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the framework of the ERASMUS-JMO-2023-MODULE Program (JEAN MONNET ACTIONS ERASMUS Program).

The BOON project is dedicated to the research and teaching of territorial cohesion policy in the EU, which will provide an opportunity for students, the academic community, and the general public of Ukraine to gain knowledge about the driving forces and key components of the approach to territorial unity, reducing differences related to geography and the level of economic and social development, ensuring the consistency of sectoral policies, and strengthening links between territories.

The general and specific objectives of the project are:

• • research of regional policy and cohesion policy in the EU;
  • development of an interdisciplinary module “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU”;
  • implementation of the developed interdisciplinary module “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” into the educational process for students of Vasyl’ Stus DonNU and other higher education institutions of Ukraine;
  • implementation of the knowledge acquired by students regarding balanced territorial development in EU countries in final consulting projects on the development of territories affected by the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine;
  • development of dialogue between the academic community and society, including local, regional, state, and European level bodies, on discussing the policy and practice of balanced territorial development in the EU;
  • dissemination of knowledge about European territorial cohesion policy among the public.

The project executors/developers and module instructors are:

• • Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Professor Tetiana Oriekhova (Project Manager),
  • Head of the Department of Management and Behavioral Economics, Professor Olha Doronina,
  • Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Corporate and Spatial Economics, Associate Professor Oleksandr Tregubov,
  • Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration Yulia Okuniovska.

During a meeting with the leadership of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University – the University Rector, Professor Illya Khadziynov, and the Vice-Rector for Research and Educational Work, Sergiy Radio – a common methodology for project implementation was agreed upon, and an operational project management system was discussed.

Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University is fulfilling its mission as a socially responsible partner of society! Ahead lies much work and effort to bring Europe closer!

Date: 15.11.2023

Within the framework of the EU funded project “Balanced Territorial Development in EU” (BOON), No. 101127100, ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH, a presentation of a new elective educational component was held for students of the second (Master’s) level of higher education of the Faculty of Economics of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University.

During the event, participants were introduced to the goal, structure, and content of the course developed within the project with the support of the Jean Monnet Actions Erasmus+ program. Special attention was paid to the current approaches of the European Union to ensuring balanced territorial development, economic cohesion, and sustainable development of regions.

The main thematic modules of the course were presented during the presentation:

· Strategy of balanced territorial development in European Union countries
· Development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship as a driver of structural transformations in the EU
· European policy of inclusion in territorial development
· Communications in territorial cohesion policy
· Sustainable development and environmental protection in EU territorial policy

The event contributed to the dissemination of knowledge about the cohesion policy of the European Union, the popularization of European values, and the integration of the results of the BOON project into the university’s educational process. Participants received information regarding opportunities to study European experience in territorial development and apply relevant practices in the context of post-war recovery and sustainable development of Ukraine.

The first public presentation of the project “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” (BOON) (101127100-BOON-ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH), implemented with the support of the ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Module program, has taken place!

Date: 05.12.2023

The International Round Table “Regional Policy and Cohesion Policy in the EU” brought together European scholars and practitioners – Andrey Zahariev, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Finance at D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics (Bulgaria); Monica Dobski, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor at Poznań University of Economics and Business (Poland); Žaneta Simanavičienė, Professor, Head of the Business Innovation Laboratory at Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania), who have experience in balanced territorial development of their countries, the BOON project team and Ukrainian educators who understand the role of universities in Ukraine’s future recovery.

We are exploring European practices, preparing a new educational course for our Master’s students, disseminating information about European principles of territorial development policy, bringing Ukraine closer to its European future!!!

The Round Table was organized with the support of the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration and the Vinnytsia Regional Council.

The purpose of the Round Table was to discuss European experience in forming territorial development strategies at various levels and directions for the potential implementation of European strategic practices in the development of Ukraine’s territories.

The Rector of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Mr. Illia Khadziynov (Illia Khadziynov), delivered a welcome address at the beginning of the Round Table.

The following delivered keynote presentations at the Round Table:

Dean of the Faculty of Economics of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Professor, Doctor of Economics, Ms. Tetiana Oriekhova (Tetiana Oriekhova) and Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, PhD in Economics, Mr. Oleksii Riabchyn, with the presentation “Priorities for balanced territorial development in EU countries”;

Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, Mr. Ihor Tsekhanovskyi, with the presentation “Prospects for adapting regional development strategies in Ukraine to the priorities of territorial development in EU countries”;

Head of the Department for Relations with Local Self-Government Bodies, International and Interregional Cooperation, Project Activity and Investment Promotion of the Executive Office of the Vinnytsia Regional Council, Ms. Yelyzaveta Savchuk, with the presentation “Practice of implementing balanced development projects by communities in the Vinnytsia region”.

The following delivered information presentations for discussion:

Ms. Svitlana Krakovska, Head of the Laboratory of Applied Climatology of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the SES of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Senior Researcher, key climate expert of the APENA 3 project, with the presentation “Development of climate change adaptation strategies with assessment of risks and vulnerability of economic sectors”;

Mr. Oleksandr Tregubov (Oleksandr Tregubov), Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Corporate and Spatial Economics at Vasyl’ Stus DonNU, Associate Professor, PhD in Economics, with the presentation “Development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship as a driving force of structural transformations in the EU”;

Ms. Olha Doronina (Olha Doronina), Head of the Department of Management and Behavioral Economics at Vasyl’ Stus DonNU, Professor, Doctor of Economics, with the presentation “European policy of inclusion in territorial development”;

Ms. Yuliia Okunovska, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Vasyl’ Stus DonNU, PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor, with the presentation “Communications in territorial cohesion policy”.

The Round Table was attended by Ms. Inessa Ratushnyak, Deputy Director – Head of the Department of Regional Development and Interaction with Local Authorities of the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration; Ms. Vega Kulyavets (Vega Kulyavets), Deputy Director – Head of the Department of Trade, Services and Tourism of the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor; Ms. Olena Lipach, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Investment of the Department of International Cooperation and Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration; Ms. Maryna Savchenko, Head of the Department of International Economic Relations at Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, Doctor of Economics, Professor; Ms. Mariia Shkurat (Mariia Shkurat), Associate Professor of the Department of International Economic Relations at Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor; Ms. Oleksandra Mastaler, Head of the Department of Botany and Ecology, Associate Professor of the Department of Botany and Ecology at Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor; Ms. Olena Yavorska, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Botany and Ecology at Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University; Ms. Olha Remeshevska, Director of the Department of Restoration and Development of the Vinnytsia City Council, faculty members and students of the Poltava University of Economics and Trade, as well as other representatives of the general public from Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, and Khmelnytskyi regions.

During the discussion, directions for further cooperation among all stakeholders were identified, as well as the involvement of experts from interdisciplinary research fields in economics, international economic relations, ecology, and climatology in the process of updating the “Strategy for Balanced Regional Development of the Vinnytsia Region for the period up to 2027”.

Date: June 10-14, 2024

At Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, the Summer Economic School “European Integration and Sustainable Development: Prospects for Ukraine” was held, organized jointly with the Public Organization “All-Ukrainian Association of International Economists”. The event took place in a hybrid format and brought together students, young scholars, teachers and specialists interested in issues of European integration, sustainable development and post-war recovery of Ukraine.

The School’s program covered a wide range of current topics, including balanced territorial development in EU countries, environmental policy and environmental protection, European inclusion practices, economic instruments of sustainable development policy, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, green finance, corporate social responsibility of business and the role of tourism in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The training materials of the Summer Economic School, developed within the framework of the “BALANCED TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE EU” (BOON) project, which is being implemented with the support of the ERASMUS+ Jean Monnet Module program, were presented to 191 participants of the Summer Economic School from 47 universities in Ukraine.

Special attention in the School’s Program was given to a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps of Ukraine, which became a platform for professional dialogue on current challenges of European integration.

Training was conducted in the format of interactive trainings, discussions and practical work on team projects. The final stage of the School was the defense of participants’ own projects, during which they demonstrated the acquired knowledge and proposed their own ideas for implementing European sustainable development practices in Ukraine. Based on the results of successfully completing the program, participants received certificates.

The Summer Economic School’s organization became an important contribution to the development of modern economic education, the popularization of European values and the development of professional competencies necessary for implementing sustainable development policy and integrating Ukraine into the European space.

Date: 07.11.2024

A presentation of the educational module “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” took place for students of the second (Master’s) level of higher education of the Faculty of Economics of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University.

During the event, participants were introduced to the goal and content of the module, aimed at disseminating knowledge about European policy of territorial cohesion and principles of balanced territorial development. Special attention was paid to issues of territorial unity, reduction of regional disparities, ensuring sustainable development of territories, and the use of European experience for the development of Ukrainian communities.

The educational opportunities of the module were also presented, in particular, the study of practical cases of EU countries, modern approaches to communication and management of territory development, as well as tools for increasing the capacity of communities in the context of Ukraine’s European integration.

Round Table “Development of Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Structural Transformations in the EU: Opportunities and Prospects for Implementation in Ukraine”

Date: 10.12.2024

Within the framework of the “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” (BOON) project, funded by the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet program, a round table on “Development of Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship as a Driver of Structural Transformations in the EU: Opportunities and Prospects for Implementation in Ukraine” was held. The event was organized by Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University in partnership with the Vinnytsia City Council.

The round table was attended by representatives of state and local government bodies, scientists, experts, business representatives, and the civil sector. During the event, participants discussed European experience in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, approaches to post-war territorial recovery, “green transition” policy, issues of climate adaptation, circular economy, and the development of human potential.

Special attention was paid to the possibilities of using European practices to stimulate entrepreneurial activity, increase the competitiveness of territories, and ensure the sustainable development of communities in Ukraine. The event contributed to the dissemination of the BOON project results, the development of a professional dialogue between stakeholders, and the popularization of European Union approaches to balanced territorial development.

Date: March 21, 2025

At the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, a training seminar “Green Transition and ESG-Strategizing: Why and How Ukraine’s Communities and Business Should Enter the Mainstream of European Policy” was held, dedicated to current issues of integrating sustainable development principles and European green policy into the activities of local government bodies, territorial communities and businesses.

The invited trainer of the event was Tetiana Oriekhova, Doctor of Economics, Professor, member of the working (negotiation) group for preparing Ukraine’s negotiating positions during negotiations with the European Union on concluding the Agreement on Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union on environmental and climate change issues.

During the seminar, participants became acquainted with key trends in European policy in the field of green transition, modern approaches to forming strategies for sustainable territorial development, and the features of implementing ESG principles in the management of communities and businesses. Special attention was paid to practical aspects of adapting Ukrainian communities and enterprises to new environmental and climate requirements of the European Union, which are gaining particular relevance in the context of the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s membership in the EU.

The following issues were addressed during the training:

· Priorities for balanced territorial development
· Strategies for adapting to climate change at the local level
· ESG-strategizing as a tool for increasing the competitiveness of communities and businesses and ensuring their sustainable development

The training seminar was attended by 20 participants from various regions of Ukraine (Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy, Donetsk, Vinnytsia, Kyiv regions, etc.).

Seminar participants had the opportunity to engage in professional discussion, solve practical cases of territorial adaptation to climate change in an interactive format, discuss current challenges of Ukraine’s green transformation, receive practical recommendations on integrating environmental, social and governance criteria into strategic planning, and become acquainted with European experience in implementing sustainable development policy.

The materials for the training seminar were prepared with the support of the Erasmus+ program in the Jean Monnet direction within the framework of the “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” project (101127100 — BOON — ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH). The organization of the event became an important contribution to the dissemination of European knowledge and best practices in the field of green transition, climate policy and ESG-strategizing, and also promoted the development of professional competencies of representatives of government bodies, business, the scientific community and student youth.

Date: 24.03.2025

Within the framework of the project “Balanced Territorial Development in EU” (BOON), funded by the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet program, a presentation of the first intake for the short-term certificate program of non-formal education “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” was held.

During the constituent meeting, the listeners were introduced to the concept of the program, its educational modules, the format of implementation, and the expected learning outcomes. Participants received information regarding the organization of the educational process, the procedure for completing the training, and the conditions for obtaining a certificate of non-formal education.

The program was aimed at forming knowledge about European territorial cohesion policy, tools for ensuring balanced territorial development, mechanisms for overcoming regional disparities, and sustainable development practices applied in European Union countries. The event contributed to the dissemination of the BOON project results and the engagement of student youth in studying the European experience of territorial development.

Presentation of the module during a discussion panel as part of the Ukrainian Education Quality Forum (UQAF–2025), held at the Lutsk National Technical University

Date: 17-18.09.2025

Olha Doronina presented the experience of Vasyl’ Stus DonNU in implementing the interdisciplinary module “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU”, developed within the framework of the project of the same name. The University’s best practices regarding the formation of students’ competencies in the context of the Global Sustainable Development Goals were highlighted.

Workshop “European Policy of Inclusion in Territorial Development: Opportunities and Prospects for Implementation in Ukraine”

Date: 24.10.2025

The goal of the event was to discuss the European experience of forming inclusion policy in territorial development and directions for potential implementation of European practices in the development of territories in Ukraine.

During the round table, the following topics were addressed:

· European practices of inclusion

· Demographic dimension of inclusion

· Inclusive economy: how communities and businesses can create opportunities for all

· European instruments of active employment and inclusion in the labor market

· Institutional interaction in forming inclusive territorial development policy

During the event, issues regarding European inclusion practices were communicated, in particular the integration of refugees, as well as domestic practices of forming social policy in communities, support and integration of internally displaced persons, veterans, people with disabilities, issues of gender inclusion, and barrier-free environments in the labor market, etc.

The practical value of the event was determined by the fact that among the speakers of the round table were representatives of the main stakeholder groups dealing with inclusion issues: scientists of Vasyl’ Stus DonNU; Director of the Ukrainian Association for Management Development and Business Education; volunteer coordinator and coach of educational programs of the UAF Foundation (Netherlands); senior expert on psychological health and psychosocial support from IOM; leading researcher of the Department of Labor Market Risk Research at the Institute for Demography and Quality of Life Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Director of the Department of Social Policy of Vinnytsia City Council; Deputy Director of the Vinnytsia branch of the Vinnytsia Regional Employment Center; leading coordinator for interaction with the military and veterans from the “MHP-Hromadi” Foundation; Director of the Raisa Panasiuk “Harmoniya” Rehabilitation Center. Students and postgraduate students of Vasyl’ Stus DonNU became active participants in the event.

Date: November 2025

Within the framework of the project “Balanced Territorial Development in EU” (BOON), another presentation of the educational module “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” was held for students of the second (Master’s) level of higher education of the Faculty of Economics of Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University.

During the presentation, participants received information about the structure of the module, its thematic content, and practical orientation. Special attention was paid to introducing the European Union’s approaches to forming territorial cohesion policy, tools for supporting balanced regional development, as well as opportunities for using European practices in the processes of recovery and development of territorial communities in Ukraine.

In addition, educational activities of the module were presented, which involve the analysis of successful European cases, the study of modern mechanisms of territorial development management, communication tools, and practices for increasing community capacity in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and European integration.

Date: 09.03.2026

Within the framework of the project “Balanced Territorial Development in EU” (BOON), funded by the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet program, a presentation of the second intake for the short-term certificate program of non-formal education “Balanced Territorial Development in the EU” was held.

During the information meeting, participants were introduced to the goal, structure, and content of the program, the specifics of organizing the training, as well as the possibilities for obtaining a certificate of non-formal education. 50 higher education students, including students studying under academic mobility programs, were enrolled in the program.

The program is aimed at disseminating knowledge about the European Union’s territorial cohesion policy, mechanisms for reducing regional disparities, principles of sustainable development, and modern approaches to territorial management. The event contributed to the popularization of the BOON project results and the expansion of opportunities for studying the European experience of balanced territorial development among student youth.