Introductory speech at the International Spring School as part of the Jean Monnet Erasmus+ project (17.03.2025, online)
On 17 March 2025, Kateryna Zhdanova, Senior Manager of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, participated in the International Spring School titled “Inclusion, Social Responsibility, and Entrepreneurship: Social Innovations for Community Development and Youth Engagement.”
The event brought together a wide range of participants, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, experienced researchers, lecturers, and representatives of civil society. The School’s geographical reach spanned university and research centres in Genoa (Italy), Berlin (Germany), Kyiv, and Melitopol (Ukraine).
The programme of the Spring School focused on the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in addressing pressing societal challenges. During the sessions, participants discussed the following key areas:
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The Third Mission of Universities: The concept of the social impact of HEIs on the development of local communities and society at large.
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European Best Practices: Leading methods for implementing social innovations and developing social entrepreneurship within the educational process.
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Social Inclusion and Cohesion: Mechanisms for youth engagement, types of inclusion, and prospects for building an inclusive environment in Ukraine.
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Crisis Management: The role of university social responsibility in overcoming societal crises, which is particularly relevant for Ukraine today.
As part of her contribution, Kateryna Zhdanova highlighted the opportunities provided by the EU Erasmus+ Programme to support social initiatives within universities. Specifically, she outlined tools for implementing projects focused on inclusion, the development of youth entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of ties between educational institutions and local communities.