A European webinar organised by Web2Learn as part of the Baltics4UA project brought together academics, business leaders and civil society representatives on 5 December 2024 to explore innovative ways to improve academic resilience in humanitarian crises. The event brought together stakeholders from across Europe to discuss effective cooperation that empowers Ukrainian refugees and fosters social innovation. Among the main topics discussed were innovative approaches to refugee integration, effective fundraising strategies and the role of academia in crisis management.
The webinar was moderated by Kateryna Boichenko, research collaborator at Web2Learn, who emphasised the potential of partnerships to effect change. The audience learned about the successful results of the Baltics4UA project that supported Ukrainian communities in the Baltic region. Kateryna also shared inspiring examples from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, illustrating how local businesses and universities are jointly responding to the needs of Ukrainian refugees. Moreover, empowering stories of developing innovative solutions for refugee integration thanks to Web2Learn’s support were highlighted. A live survey showed the main priorities of the participants: (1) the importance of building partnerships, (2) exploring innovative co-operation between business and academia, and (3) learning from successful integration initiatives.
The webinar concluded with a joint discussion that identified key areas of focus and road signs for further work. Attendees actively participated in the discussions and shared their views on strengthening academic sustainability. Invited participants, including Maksym Moneta (Founder Institute venture partner, founder of Startupers Online platform), Mykola Sierhieiev (Director of TECE Ukraine) and Konstiantyn Melnykov (CEO of NTI Loyalty, CEO of Ukrainian HUB), also shared their experience. They emphasised the crucial role of fundraising in supporting joint projects. In doing so, they gave valuable feedback and offered their support for future initiatives. In addition, they left valuable feedback for the previous events and offered support for future initiatives. Katerina Zourou (Managing Director at Web2Learn) and Stefania Oikonomou (Web2Learn) also joined the discussion, sharing their impressions of previous events and the work carried out by Baltics4UA partners, outlining steps for future cooperation. Through their comments, they highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration and innovative practices for strengthening the resilience of universities and businesses. The participants concluded that it is necessary to expand partnerships, increase the social responsibility of companies and advocate for supportive policies. These strategies will ensure the sustainability and impact of efforts to address the refugee crisis.
Through the Baltics4UA project, Web2Learn continues to support academic sustainability and social innovation by providing a platform for meaningful collaboration for business, academia and society. The results of the webinar demonstrate the power of united efforts to bring about positive change, as well as offer perspectives for new initiatives in the future.
If you missed our webinar, it is now available on Youtube here.
We gladly share the slides of the event here.
Thank you to all participants and partners for contributing to the success of this event! Together we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for our society.