An International Winter School has been organized at the AGMEMOD Research and Educational Laboratory

      The International Winter School "Ukraine - EU: Steps Towards Accession. Integration of the Agricultural Sector into the European and Global Economic Space" took place from February 20 to 26, 2025, in a hybrid format at the AGMEMOD Research and Educational Laboratory of NUBiP of Ukraine.

The event was organized at the initiative of Natalia Ushenko, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor of the Department of International Economics at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Emilia Prushkivska, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, as well as the Department of Production and Investment Management and the Department of Global Economy of NUBiP of Ukraine. It was held in cooperation with the All-Ukrainian Association of International Economists, the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the EPLEFPA "Luçon-Pétré" Agricultural Lyceum in France, the UNEC Business School of Azerbaijan State University of Economics, the Ukrainian Research Institute of Alcohol and Biotechnology (UkrNDIspyrtbioprod), the State Institution "Scientific and Technical Center for Aquaculture", FATER Academy of India, and Mangalayatan University, India.

    "Within the framework of the school, we have every reason to establish a platform for discussing the fundamental aspects of Ukraine's European integration, particularly the adaptation of the agricultural sector to modern standards, the expansion of international economic cooperation, the training of specialists in the educational and professional program 'International Economics' (specialty 051 'Economics'), and the enhancement of educational trajectories," stated Serhii Kvasha, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Development of NUBiP of Ukraine, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, and Honored Scientist of Ukraine, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor.

       Olena Glazunova, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Digital Transformation of NUBiP of Ukraine, addressed the participants with a welcome speech. "The National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine always supports initiatives aimed at developing education, science, and international cooperation, and today's Winter School is an excellent opportunity for students, researchers, and experts to exchange experiences and deepen their knowledge of the European integration of Ukraine’s agricultural sector," noted the vice-rector.

"Ukraine's European integration is not only a challenge but also an opportunity for the development of the agricultural sector. Events like this Winter School help train specialists capable of implementing European standards in our country's economy," stated Mykola Tomenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NUBiP of Ukraine.

     Anton Filipenko, President of the NGO "All-Ukrainian Association of International Economists," emphasized the importance of the event, as the association consistently supports initiatives that contribute to forming a new generation of professionals capable of working in the global economy. "The Winter School is not just an event but a platform for understanding the challenges of integrating the agricultural sector into the European and global economic space," noted Professor Anton Filipenko.

      The program of the school included lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and case studies, allowing participants to gain in-depth knowledge on: the challenges and prospects of Ukraine's European integration; opportunities for expanding Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU market; international investments and innovative projects in agribusiness; European funding programs for the agricultural sector; global challenges for agricultural economics in the 21st century.

    Among the keynote speakers were leading scholars, representatives of government institutions, and international organizations, including Emilia Vasylivna Prushkivska, Natalia Mykhailivna Vdovenko, Head of the Department of Global Economy, Lina Serhiivna Polishchuk, Svitlana Oleksandrivna Kushnir, Roman Yevhenovych Zvarych, Mykola Ivanovych Pugachov, Mykola Oleksandrovych Fedorenko, and many others. Over the course of five days of intensive work, participants attended lectures, panel discussions, training sessions, and workshops, discussing key challenges of European integration and the prospects for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector on a global level.

      DAY ONE (February 20)

      Mykola Moroz, Head of the Department of Rural Development at the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, spoke about the challenges facing Ukraine’s agriculture in the process of European integration. Serhii Kvasha, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Development at NUBiP of Ukraine, presented on Ukrainian-European foreign economic relations in the agricultural sector. Lina Polishchuk, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of World Economy and International Economic Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, shared insights on the history, challenges, and prospects of Ukraine's European integration in the context of martial law.

      DAY TWO (February 21)

   The second day of the International Winter School began with a presentation by Svitlana Kushnir, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor at Zaporizhzhia National University, and coordinator of the NEWAGRO-ERASMUS project. She discussed the export of Ukrainian agricultural products within the framework of European partnership and the achievements in this area.

Roman Zvarych, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, and Head of the Department of International Economic Relations at the Western Ukrainian National University, introduced participants to modern trends and transformational processes in the agricultural sector related to the European integration pathway. Olena Poplavska, Head of the Information Department of the State Institution "Scientific and Technical Center for Aquaculture," highlighted European funding programs available for various agricultural sectors. Mykola Pugachov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences, and Deputy Director for Research at the National Scientific Center "Institute of Agrarian Economics," provided insights into the export opportunities of Ukraine's agricultural sector to the EU, emphasizing the challenges and prospects for integrating Ukrainian producers into the European market. Mykola Fedorenko, First Deputy Director of the State Institution "Scientific and Technical Center for Aquaculture," presented successful cases of implementing international experience for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. He focused on the potential for adopting innovative practices and the best European solutions in the growth of Ukraine’s agro-industrial complex. Volodymyr Pugachov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Senior Research Fellow, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Agribusiness Entrepreneurs at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Executive and Regional Director of the "Danube Soy" Association in Eastern Europe, addressed the topic of EU agro-climatic regulation and its impact on Ukraine. He explored opportunities for sustainable development in the agricultural sector, aligning with European environmental standards.

      DAY THREE (February 24)

    The third day began with a presentation by Oleksandr Chemodurov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Production and Investment Management at NUBiP of Ukraine, on European funding programs for agricultural innovations. Marina Delini, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, and Professor of the Department of Production and Investment Management at NUBiP of Ukraine, discussed investment opportunities for agricultural projects provided by the FAO, highlighting key directions for financing and supporting the sustainable development of agribusiness. Maria Kovalova, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of International Management at the State University of Trade and Economics, examined trade protection instruments in the EU and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of effective regulatory mechanisms for foreign trade and safeguarding the interests of national producers. Andrii Kuts, Candidate of Economic Sciences and Vice President of the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, conducted a training session on the project activities of the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in supporting entrepreneurship. He detailed cooperation mechanisms with European and international institutions that contribute to business development in Ukraine.

      DAY FOUR (February 25)

    Emilia Prushkivska, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor at NUBiP of Ukraine, opened the fourth day of the International Economic School by addressing the global challenges facing the agricultural sector in the 21st century. Yuliia Kusakova, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of International Economics, Natural Resources, and International Tourism Economics at Zaporizhzhia National University, discussed global trade and the agricultural sector, highlighting the opportunities of the Free Trade Area (FTA) for Ukraine. She examined the economic prospects for expanding cooperation within the FTA framework and the challenges Ukraine's agricultural sector faces in the process of international integration.  Natalia Vengerska, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor at Zaporizhzhia National University, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Union of Rural Green Tourism of Ukraine, and Business and Economics Lecturer at the International Center of Liverpool John Moores University (UK), spoke about the export opportunities for small rural businesses, focusing on agritourism and creative approaches. She presented innovative models for the development of small agricultural enterprises in an international context. Oleksii Chugaiev, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor of the Department of World Economy and International Economic Relations at the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, covered the regulation of food product sales in the EU. He analyzed European quality requirements, certification processes, and the challenges Ukrainian producers face when entering the EU market.

       DAY FIVE (February 26)

     The final stage of the International Winter Economic School was the Round Table discussion on "Transforming Approaches to Training Specialists in International Economics", held in a hybrid format in Room 226, Building 10 of NUBiP of Ukraine. Participants actively engaged in discussions, gaining valuable knowledge, practical skills, and new opportunities for professional development in the fields of international economics and agribusiness.

At the conclusion of the event, electronic certificates of participation in the Winter School were issued, recognizing their contribution to research on international economics and Ukraine’s European integration processes.

      The Winter School provided a unique opportunity for higher education students to expand their knowledge and skills, acquire new practical tools for working in the context of European integration, and became a significant step in shaping a new generation of professionals ready to operate in a globalized environment and contribute to Ukraine's integration into the global economic system.

Head of the AGMEMOD Research and Educational Laboratory
PhD Anastasiia YATSUN