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International Cooperation and �Science for the Carpathians (S4C) Network�Opportunities and Perspectives Based on V4 Project Results�

By Valeriy Mykhaylenko,

PhD, Associate Professor, Kyiv Medical University;

NECU expert, Ukraine

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CONTENT

Heritage interpretation: project history and outcomes
Carpathian Convention: Science for Carpathians Network
Post‑war recovery, education, and sustainability
Looking forward to the future

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Introduction

Unique value of the Carpathian region
Importance of sustainability and education
Reference to the Carpathian Convention

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Science for Carpathians network (S4C) �Krakiw, may 2024

Carpathian ESD Expert Network Meeting 30.01.25

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UNECE Strategy for ESD 2021-2030 �in the Carpathian Region

1.Quality ESD education
3. Digital Education, ICT and ESD
4.Entrepreneurship, employment, innovation and ESD

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This presentation highlights how international cooperation and educational initiatives support sustainable development in the Carpathian region.

Why are the Carpathian Convention and its Secretariat strategic partners to NECU?

NECU has a common understanding of ESD. There are several NECU projects focused on Quality education and SDG-4, which coincide with the Carpathian Convention Strategy (2021-2030).

Nonformal and vocational education are important to be integrated
NECU obtained support from the Science for Carpathians (S4C) network via their web-resources and S4C experts (Tamara Mitrofanenko, Tamara Malkova, Michal Medek, Joanna Zawiewska, Lukash Muselok, Attila Varga, Fedir Hamor and others)
International Carpathian School has already collected many educational materials to be integrated into online tools to educate youth through informal training sessions.
The coming projects could develop a programme of raising awareness and public participationwith the support of the Carpathian Convention Secretariat and Visegrad Fund.

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S4C EDUCATIONAL MODEL:�KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTITUDES

Theoretical materials: Lectures to learn about European practices in heritage interpretation

Getting experience: Educational tours to Slovak, Polish and Hungarian national reserves. Drafting Students’ Projects

Practical implementation:

Students hosted their projects aimed at strengthening local incomes at National parks.

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“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”

Seneca

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CARPATHIAN SCHOOL: STEPS TO GROW

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MARCH 2025. Knowing Ukrainian NNP

MAY

Carpathian School

JUNE

Educational bus tour

JULY--AUGUST

Students’ projects designed

SEPTEMBER 26

Carpathians DAY

Award competition

NOVEMBER 2025

Students’ projects implemented

Hutsulshchyna National Park

Vyzhnytsia National Park

Verkhovyna National Park

Carpathian National Park

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PROJECT PARTNERS

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“Hutsul-shchyna”

National Park

“Vyzhnytsia” National Park

“Verkhovyna” National Park

“Carpathian” National Park

CZECH INSTITUTE FOR HERITAGE INTERPRETATION (CZ)

UNIVERSITY OF THE NATIONAL

EDUCATION COMMISSION (PL)

WATER FOR CLIMATE,

SLOVAK REPUBLIC (SK)

MAGOSFA FOUNDATION, (HU)

CENTER FOR PUBLIC INITIATIVES (UA)

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INTERNATIONAL CARPATHIAN SCHOOL �Kosiv -2025

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WHY THE CARPATHIAN DAY IS IMPORTANT?

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Heritage Interpretation as a Tool

Benefits for depressed regions
Balance between ecology, economy, and education SDG - 4 and SDG-11
Role in forming tourist products

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The Tourism Potential

Economic promise of tourism in Ivano-Frankivsk
Underutilized community potential
WTO statistics on global tourism growth

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Post-War Reconstruction & Training Opportunities

Ecotourism as a strategic sector
Learning from EU neighbors
Protection of Carpathian intangible heritage, local landscapes and cross-culture exchange

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Follow-up HERITAGE

Ukrainian Carpathians

Sharing the “unknown” heritage

International tourism may promote understanding of Ukraine’s history to the EU neighbors countries

Natural heritage of HUTSULS, BOYKOS, and LEMKOS

Cross-border cooperation with Southern Poland and Northeastern Slovakia

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. ��Youth education within the Visegrad Project ��

Project goals and support (Visegrad Fund)�Partners involved (universities, NGOs, parks)�

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Theoretical Training:

Lectures to learn about European practices in heritage interpretation. Knowing Ukrainian NNP

Practical Experience:

Educational tours to Slovak, Polish and Hungarian national reserves Student Project
Introducing the EU experience

Attitudes:

Students designed and implemented their projects in Ukraine’s National parks.
Visegrad Fund supported students’ projects

The synergy of youth energy and the experience of public organizations significantly enhances the effectiveness of environmental initiatives. In the context of growing environmental threats – from global climate change to war-related ecocide – the initiative of the younger generation is becoming increasingly significant.

NECU is a relevant example of readiness to cooperate with young people. Young volunteers, joining forces within NGOs, implement educational campaigns, environmental protection actions, and influence the adoption of environmentally important decisions. They bring innovative approaches, energy, and persistence to the cause of nature conservation.

The focus of Spring session of Carpathian School -2025 was particularly directed at youth as a driving force for change – both in science and in community initiatives.

Young scientists, members of the NECU youth division, had the opportunity to present their ideas, developments, and research results for National Natural Parks and implement them withing support of Visegrad Fund.

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Educational tour around Ukrainian NNP

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Березень 2025 р.

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Приклади реалізації на місцях

Екостежки, аудіогіди,

інтерактивні панелі

Фестивалі в Косові та Космачі,

демонстрація сталого життя

Співпраця з

місцевою владою

та парками

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Conclusions & Prospects

Interpretation as a sustainable development tool�Cross-border cooperation and economic uplift�Role of Carpathian School in rebuilding efforts

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Role of the Science for the Carpathians Network (S4C) S4C's mission: to unite research and practice for sustainable development. It promotes international cooperation between Ukrainian scientists and public organizations. The topic of cooperation of the S4C network with the educational events of the International Carpathian School has already become a good tradition. It originates from the seminar of the network's experts in Zakopane in 2022, then in Krakow in 2024, and during the winter sessions of the Carpathian School in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Dialogues are actively conducted with the participation of experts of this project, supported by the Visegrad Fund. The national parks of Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary are involved in further cooperation. �A common information space is provided by the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention and the UNEP Program. NECU share success stories and case studies of initiatives supported by S4C.�Young people are actively involved in joint events. Thus, at the Eighth Forum of the Carpathian Convention in Bratislava, a team from Ukraine was represented. The leadership of the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (Harold Egerer and Tamara Mitrofanenko) participated in the project activities held on the occasion of the Day of the Carpathians in Ukraine.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATGTENTION!