Project News

On 8 October 2026, the U_CAN project launched “Climate-Neutral Community Development: A Practical Course for City Teams”. Designed for Ukrainian mayors, the programme has already welcomed 178 participants. The course is coordinated by Mayors’ Club Ukraine (MCU), a U_CAN consortium partner. The course introduces approaches to climate-neutral community development and smart city concepts. Combining theory with practical assignments, it helps participants explore climate challen

On 23 September 2026, the University of L’Aquila (ULA), a partner in the U_CAN consortium, participated in the presentation of the EUAM Academy’s International executive programme for Ukrainian municipalities in Pescara, Italy. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian local government representatives to access EU programmes and funding for reconstruction. During the event, Prof. Marianna Rotilio and Prof. Donato Di Ludovico presented the expertise developed

In October 2026, representatives of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute presented the results of Task 4.3 of the U_CAN project and the developed Recommendations on the use of Kyiv’s underground space for a systemic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transport to two key stakeholders: the Academy of Construction of Ukraine on 2 October and the Department of transport infrastructure of the Kyiv City State Administration on 8 October. The recommendations bring toget

From 13 to 15 October 2026, the U_CAN project was presented at the Smart Country Convention in Berlin, as part of TU Dresden’s WISSENSARCHITEKTUR presence at the Silicon Saxony stand. U_CAN project coordinators from TUD represented the project at the stand, sharing insights from the pilot cities and highlighting how Ukrainian cities are working towards climate-neutral and resilient urban development under the central question: how can cities move forward with local climate ac

In September 2026, U_CAN partner the University of L'Aquila (ULA) participated in EURO SEC 6 “Cutting-edge Technologies and Management in Structural Engineering and Construction”, an international conference held in Turin, Italy, from 7 to 11 September 2026. ULA researchers Chiara Marchionni, Marianna Rotilio, and Letizia Giusti presented the contribution "Combining life cycle approach and circularity assessment for holistic evaluation of building envelope retrofits." The wor

The maps show the entire territory of Ukraine. Solar energy potential is highest in the south of the country, with additional promising areas visible near several U_CAN pilot cities in the centre of Ukraine. Wind energy potential is generally good across most of the country, with particularly high potential in selected areas marked in dark green on the wind map. Researchers from Igor Sikorsky Polytechnic Institute have conducted integrated research on potentials for wind and

From 14 to 16 September 2026, a delegation from U_CAN pilot city Khmelnytskyi visited Dresden, Germany, for three days of exchange on sustainable urban development. The visit brought together representatives of Khmelnytskyi City Council, Khmelnytskyi National University (KhNU), and Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law (LYKUML), and was organised at the intersection of two cooperation frameworks: the Dresden–Stuttgart–Khmelnytskyi Solidarity Partnership

During 14-16 September 2026, a delegation from U_CAN pilot city Khmelnytskyi will travel to Dresden, Germany, for a three-day exchange visit focused on sustainable urban development. The visit, organised within the framework of the U_CAN project and the Dresden–Stuttgart–Khmelnytskyi Solidarity Partnership, will bring together municipal officials, academics, and practitioners from both cities for a programme centred on sustainable mobility, adaptive traffic management, waste

In August 2026 City Institute Lviv, the main U_CAN partner in pilot city Lviv, has launched EUcation - a new educational programme developed within the U_CAN project aimed at strengthening the capacity of local government representatives to develop projects, attract international funding, and build partnerships for their communities. Representatives of the district administrations of Lviv City Council have joined the programme as its first participants. Over the coming months

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, the World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) took place across Helsinki, Espoo, and Tampere, Finland, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and educators from around the world under the theme "Peripheral Visions - Rethinking Planning." The U_CAN partnership actively contributed to the congress, sharing research and practical experience on how cities can become more resilient, sustainable, and climate-neutral. A particular highlight was the S

From 6 to 8 July 2026, the U_CAN project consortium convened in L'Aquila, Italy, for its third offline consortium meeting, hosted by the University of L'Aquila (ULA) at the Luigi Zordan Congress Center in the historic Monastery of San Basilio. Representatives from all 21 project partners came together to review progress, share outcomes from Year 2 of the project, and align on plans for the year ahead. L'Aquila provided a particularly resonant backdrop for the meeting. The cit

From 6 to 14 May 2026, Yuliya Chufistova, member of the Presidium of the Mayors' Club Ukraine, represented the U_CAN project during the REBIRTH OF UKRAINE trade mission to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – a delegation of 31 representatives of Ukrainian municipalities and businesses. Helsinki: presenting U_CAN to European partners The centrepiece of the mission was Yuliya Chufistova's pitch at the UA-FI Economic Recovery Business Forum in Helsinki, attended by around

At the end of May 2026, U_CAN partners gathered at the Cities Mission Conference in Turin, Italy, alongside representatives from cities, EU institutions, and projects across Europe. Under the theme "Delivering Europe's Urban Climate Transition," the event focused on concrete solutions for urban transformation, where U_CAN project played an active role. Dresden and Khmelnytskyi: partnership in action A particular highlight was the participation of Inna Palii, Head of the Depar

One of the most significant achievements of Vinnytsia's pilot project in 2026 has been the completion and presentation of a comprehensive study on the current state of the small Tyazhyliv River, led by the Institute of Urban Development. Throughout 2025, the team carried out a wide range of research to build a full picture of the river's condition: geodetic surveys, chemical water analysis, hydrological and sanitary assessments, and botanical studies of the surrounding flora,

As part of the U_CAN project, our pilot city Kyiv is contributing to the development of the "Climate Neutrality of Cities in Ukraine" Guide - a practical manual designed to support Ukrainian municipalities in their transition towards climate neutrality. Developed by ISKPI together with TPF and other U_CAN partners, the Guide is based on direct consultations with city representatives and addresses the real challenges municipalities face when planning and implementing climate a

Zhytomyr, one of the pilot cities of the U_CAN project, has reported significant progress on two fronts: strengthening local food resilience through urban gardening and laying the groundwork for renewable energy infrastructure. Urban gardening pilot secures grant funding In April 2026, the Municipal Institution 'City Development Agency' of Zhytomyr City Council has secured grant funding to renovate one of the city's greenhouses as part of a pilot project to develop urban gard

On 24 April 2026, Khmelnytskyi National University (KhNU) hosted the International scientific and practical conference "Reducing CO₂ Emissions in Ukrainian Cities: Pathways to Climate Neutrality" as part of the U_CAN project. The hybrid event brought together researchers, local authorities, and representatives of partner institutions from Ukraine and abroad to exchange knowledge on sustainable urban mobility, CO₂ reduction strategies, and European Green Deal approaches releva

Last week, the U_CAN project joined the vibrant community of citizen science practitioners, researchers and educators gathered for the ECSA2026 Conference . As part of the conference programme, the project was showcased at the Citizen Science Festival, an open public event that brought science into everyday spaces and invited citizens to actively engage with ideas for sustainable urban futures. Held at the Valkea shopping mall in Oulu, Finland on 6 March , the festival create

The U_CAN project is thrilled to be part of the Citizen Science Festival in Oulu, Finland. The Festival, organised by our consortium partner European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) , is a part of the ECSA2026 conference that brings together researchers, citizens, and organisations to explore how citizen science can drive sustainable solutions and strengthen communities. Learn more about the festival here: https://www.ecsa2026.ngo/citizen-science-festival/ At our interac

From 3 - 5 February 2026, the University of Strasbourg hosted an Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) titled “Science for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.” The workshop was co-directed by researchers from the University of Maryland and the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (ISKPI, member of the U_CAN Consortium). The co-directors of the workshop, Sergii Skakun and Andrii Shelestov, kindly offered the U_CAN project the opportunity to