The collaboration of nine universities from nine countries during this time has often been a clash of cultures and mentalities, but also a space for drawing from individual experiences and solutions. Comparing our achievements to actions undertaken by other (including older) European universities, we can take pride in the effects achieved so far.
What has EU GREEN brought to UPWr during its first year of operation?
Primarily, it has provided many opportunities for networking and mapping our solutions, defining best practices among consortium members, and developing plans for their implementation. In many areas, our university acts as a leader in good solutions and a model that others want to emulate, such as in the case of the Knowledge Base UPWr repository. The communication strategy and organizational structure of EU GREEN at UPWr have also become a model implemented in other universities. We are active not only in the working group, of which we are the official leader (WP2) but also in the development of the knowledge transfer plan based on clusters of scientific excellence (WP4) and the creation of procedures for organizing and conducting Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP-WP6).
Students during the stationary part of the BIP Soil class organised by UPWr Photo: Tomasz Lewandowski
As is often the case in financial statements, numbers matter. Therefore, we conclude this year with 50 mobilities carried out as part of visits to EU GREEN partners, half of which are student mobilities. The collaboration has also resulted in the realization of 3 BIPs. In the case of UPWr, this includes the organization and coordination of the BIP "Soil protection and management of degraded and industrial lands" with the participation of 15 EU GREEN students, six students from Ukrainian universities as part of the INTERACT project, and six students from our university. This also includes the co-organization of the BIP "Water Management" at the University of Extremadura (with the participation of six UPWr students) and the BIP "Food Sustainability" at the University of Parma (with 18 UPWr students). 2023 also involves organizing the WP2 Staff Week in Wrocław and participating in five Staff Weeks: WP3, WP4, WP6, WP7, and WP9. It also marks the first physical meeting of the Students Council, which, fittingly, could only take place in Wrocław – the "city of meetings."
Participants at the Staff Week at UPWr in October 2023 Photo: Tomasz Lewandowski
Towards Ukraine - INTERACT
We also play the role of an ambassador for the alliance's collaboration with Ukrainian universities. This has resulted in the inclusion of 10 Ukrainian universities in the consortium's activities, the organization of a Staff Week for 29 people, a summer school for 31 students, and the organization of 21 scientific-research internships. The initial effects of EU GREEN networking are also visible in the research area. In the Seed funding program, UPWr scientists are part of the research teams for five out of ten selected projects.
EU GREEN Senate
Our efforts and commitment in December culminated in a victory for Vice-Rector Anna Chełmońska-Soyta in the EU GREEN Senate elections. In 2024, Vice-Rector Chełmońska-Soyta will serve as the chairperson, supported in her efforts by the deputy, Prof. Giorgio Pelosi from Parma, and the secretary, Paulina Zaweracz, the head of EU GREEN at UPWr.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Anna Chełmońska-Soyta during the inaugural part of Staff Week in Wrocław Photo: Tomasz Lewandowski
However, the most important number and achievement of the past year is the number 50 – as this is the number of individuals currently directly involved in the project.
Work package activities (WPs)
Work Package 1 – Innovative project management and coordination.
Participation in the development of the Management guidelines document.
Participation in the development of the Data Management Plan document.
Implementation of Agile methodology training.
Ongoing project and financial management
Work Package 2 – Educational model based on sustainable development – a leadership role at the consortium level.
Supervision of the Education Commission establishment.
Oversight and work on creating the EU GREEN Education Strategy.
Supervision and participation in the development of Pedagogical and Professional Development Programs.
Organization and implementation of WP2 Staff Week at UPWr.
Creation of a plan for organizing Staff Weeks and Academic Retreats throughout the project.
Initiating collaboration to adapt existing education programs to Sustainable Development Goals.
Collaboration with WP6 in developing procedures for organizing and conducting Blended Intensive Programmes.
Collaboration with WP3 to develop a graduate profile and create joint study programs.
Work Package 3 – Creating a research-based science structure through clusters of excellence.
Participation in the work of the Joint Research Commission.
Participation in establishing and organizing the activities of scientific excellence clusters.
Participation in Seed funding and Researcher Mobility Programme initiatives to support the networking of alliance scientists. Ten out of 24 projects were selected, with UPWr scientists participating in five.
Participation in the Research Week at the University of Angers (France).
Work Package 4 – Innovation and entrepreneurship for sustainable development.
Participation in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Commission.
Participation in creating a knowledge transfer plan based on clusters of scientific excellence – the multi-stage
Entrepreneur Journey plan.
Participation in developing training plans for staff responsible for knowledge transfer at each university.
Participation in the Staff Week at the University of Evora (Portugal).
Work Package 5 – Engagement for sustainable societies and economies.
Participation in the Engagement Commission's work.
Participation in mapping and diagnosing available solutions for engaging in sustainable societies and economies among consortium members and developing an action plan during the project.
Organization of an activating event for local communities as part of citizen science – "Tree BioBlitz – Tree Biodiversity Event" – a meeting dedicated to the education of school students on biodiversity and the role of trees in urban environments.
Participation in a webinar on citizen science using examples from different alliance countries.
Work Package 6 – Supporting mobility and international collaboration in education for sustainable development.
Participation in the Mobility and Internationalization Commission's work.
Participation in developing the Mobility Protocols document.
Organization and participation in Blended Intensive Programmes: BIP Towards a Sustainable Water Management (University of Extremadura, Spain) – involving 8 UPWr students; BIP Food Sustainability (University of Parma, Italy) – involving 16 UPWr students; BIP Soil Protection and Management of Degraded and Industrial Lands (UPWr) – organizing the BIP for 15 alliance students and 6 students from Ukraine as part of EU GREEN collaboration with Ukrainian universities.
Conducting an informational session on BIPs.
Preparing and conducting recruitment for BIPs for the academic year 2023/24.
Participation in WP6 Staff Week at Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg.
Work Package 7 – Accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity.
Participation in the Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusivity Commission's work.
Participation in developing a document grouping practices implemented by individual consortium members in the field of
accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity, as well as creating a plan for implementing best practices among other consortium members.
Participation in WP7 Staff Week at the University of Oradea (Romania).
Work Package 8 – Creating a sustainable campus.
Participation in the Campus Commission's work.
Participation in developing a strategy for the development of sustainable communities.
Organizing a poster action to engage students in EU GREEN activities.
Participation in organizing WP8 Staff Week at ATU (Ireland).
Work Package 9 – Communication, dissemination, and impact.
Participation in the GREENWORK Platform Commission's work.
Participation in the Communication Commission's work.
Participation in preparing the GREENWORK platform.
Participation in preparing the EU GREEN repository.
Preparation of current content for publication on the consortium's website and EU GREEN social media.
Participation in developing the EU GREEN communication strategy.
Prof. Anna Chełmońska-Soyta, presides over the Senate of the EU GREEN consortium, along with Prof. Giorgio Pelosi from the University of Parma serving as Vice-Chairman and Paulina Zaweracz as the project manager of EU GREEN at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
UPWr and the EU GREEN project are highlighted in the report "A Green Deal Roadmap for Universities," addressing actions for the Green Deal. This document, formulating strategic challenges for European universities, includes a catalog of good practices and initiatives playing a crucial role in the pursuit of a climate-neutral, sustainable, and socially just Europe. The publication was prepared by the European University Association (EUA).
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