The meeting in Podgorica focused on finalizing two major outputs: the Situation Analysis, providing a comparative overview of climate adaptation strategies across partner institutions, and the Best Practice Repository, which compiles successful institutional initiatives and innovations that can be scaled or transferred across contexts.
Over the course of the meeting, participants reviewed, discussed, and refined these deliverables, while also launching the drafting process of a joint Green Transition Action Plan, aimed at institutionalizing sustainability-focused cooperation and setting a roadmap for future joint activities.
Key presentations were delivered by representatives from the University of Montenegro, Jagiellonian University, Masaryk University, J. Selye University, and Pannon EGTC. Special attention was given to integrating student voices and perspectives, with highlights including the presentation “Empowering the Green Transition: The Voice and Action of UoM Students” by a representative of the University of Montenegro Student Parliament. Another notable presentation came from Jelena Peruničić, project manager at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), who provided insights into international pathways for sustainable development in the Western Balkans.
The event also included a campus tour, a welcome dinner to foster informal networking, and a moderated session to brainstorm future joint projects and grant opportunities under regional, EU, and international frameworks.
The project’s ultimate goal is to support universities in becoming catalysts for climate-conscious development and knowledge exchange, reinforcing their role as active agents in societal transformation.
As the project progresses, the forthcoming Action Plan will outline strategic directions for collaborative implementation, including timelines, responsibilities, and modes of dissemination across academic and policy-making communities.
The meeting demonstrated not only the intellectual commitment of all partners involved, but also the potential for academia to lead by example in the era of environmental uncertainty and green innovation.
The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
For additional information contact:
dr. Tünde Tímea Csetnek
Pannon EGTC-project manager
