1.  Information on the Consortium and the Project

U_SCALE investigates new collaborative methods and instruments for cooperation between research institutions in Ukraine and Germany, namely Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (ISKPI), Technical University of Dresden (TUD), and Institut für qualifizierende Innovationsforschung und -beratung (IQIB). U_SCALE takes as its anchoring topic innovations in multi-level governance for the sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine. As a specific case study U_SCALE takes the EU Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action “Ukraine Towards Carbon Neutrality” (U_CAN) – link), which facilitates twinning activities between the CNSC Mission cities in Europe and six pilot cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv. While TUD acts as U_CAN´s project coordinator, ISKPI leads local research activities as the city’s primary research partner. These activities within U_CAN serve as exemplary object for joint study on interdisciplinary models and methods for research cooperation. The research cooperation includes research exchanges and internships while providing access to research infrastructures.

2.  Background, project objectives and work plan

Ukraine stands at a critical juncture, simultaneously addressing the consequences of war while advancing ambitious national transformation (Sikorska and Gerasymchuk, 2023). The recently passed Ukrainian Climate Law (No. 3991-IX) signifies a major step toward sustainable development by establishing frameworks for emissions reduction, renewable energy promotion, and climate governance.  Furthermore, the law integrates Ukraine’s commitments under international frameworks such as the UNFCCC and the EU Association Agreement, reinforcing its 2050 climate neutrality objective (Energy Community Secretariat 2024; Parliament of Ukraine 2024).

The transition to climate neutrality requires resilient governance frameworks that integrate multiple levels of decisionmaking. Multi-level governance has emerged as a key strategy for addressing the complexity of climate policy implementation, ensuring coordination across national, regional, and local authorities. The EU’s procedural and transformative climate governance approaches provide valuable insights into how governance structures can support systemic transitions toward sustainability (Rogge et al., 2023). While EU policies such as the European Green Deal, the EU Climate Law, and the Energy Union Governance Regulation (2018/1999) set comprehensive frameworks for climate governance, their adaptation to post-conflict and transitioning economies like Ukraine remain underexplored. Acclimatising these models to Ukraine’s post-conflict reconstruction adds complexity, requiring a balance between urgent rebuilding efforts and long-term sustainability. Post-war reconstruction amplifies challenges like institutional inertia, policy fragmentation, and weak cross-sectoral coordination, which hinder effective climate policy implementation. While technical solutions provide essential tools for achieving climate neutrality, their success depends on effective governance structures, policy alignment, and stakeholder engagement (European Union 2018, European Commission 2019, European Commission 2021).

2.1.  Research Idea and Question

U_SCALE investigates how multi-level climate governance and academic cooperation can be strategically designed to support Ukraine’s transition to climate neutrality. One critical gap in climate governance is the lack of systematic academic collaboration models that equip future climate resilience and energy transition experts with the interdisciplinary expertise and skills needed to design, manage, and implement sustainable energy and climate projects. International research partnerships—such as those fostered by U_SCALE—can provide structural support for governance innovation, ensuring that scientific knowledge informs policy and decision-making.

The interdisciplinary research of U_SCALE elaborates how current pilot activities can be converted into long lasting academic cooperation, strengthening ties between German and Ukrainian research institutions. The project also addresses the challenge of brain drain by facilitating researcher mobility, fostering “brain circulation”, and expanding access to German research infrastructures. Enabling infrastructure access, short-term research stays and internships is a key element within the research cooperation. All the conducted research activities will aim for open science standards and support them through the establishment of Data Sharing Protocols as well as access to publication repositories. 

2.2.  Project objectives

Graphic: The image illustrates the close interconnection between the project’s objectives: research on Multi-Level

Climate Governance based on existing initiatives in Ukraine (left), the analysis of innovative models, methods, and instruments for academic cooperation (right), and the development and institutionalization of academic partnerships

(center) in U_SCALE. (Elements are partially AI generated)

The objectives of U_SCALE are Joint-Research, Academic Cooperation and Capacity Building. These pillars aim to connect theoretical research with sustainable academic collaboration, thereby addressing the complex challenges of climate governance in Ukraine. 

• Enable interdisciplinary research for enhancing Multi-Level Climate Governance 

U_SCALE strengthens institutional adaptability by analysing governance models that support climate resilience and participatory policymaking. It examines how EU procedural and transformative climate governance frameworks can be adapted to Ukraine’s post-conflict landscape, balancing reconstruction and sustainability goals. By assessing multi-level governance mechanisms, the project identifies strategies to overcome path dependence, enhance policy coordination, and drive systemic innovation. A MoU with U_CAN enables U_SCALE to use its pilot projects as case studies, providing empirical insights into governance dynamics, stakeholder interactions, and policy implementation, ultimately guiding improvements in Ukraine’s climate governance transition. (see WP 1)

• Establish a structured and sustainable framework for long-term academic cooperation.

The project explores innovative models, instruments, and tools for academic partnerships, including institutional agreements, joint research initiatives, and structured funding strategies. By integrating science mapping, project radars, and trend analysis, U_SCALE enhances the strategic development of research collaborations, ensuring alignment with emerging academic and policy needs. One key outcome is a joint certification course for Master students on  “Climate Governance”, accredited by both TUD and KPI. This course will be open to other Ukrainian Universities. (see WP 2)

• Build Research Capacity and Institutional Resilience

U_SCALE enhances research infrastructure access, enabling Ukrainian institutions to engage in academic collaborations and leverage digital research resources. The project reduces brain drain and promotes “brain circulation” through structured academic pathways, including joint certification courses, internships, and research stays, ensuring that the next generation of climate and energy professionals is equipped with the necessary expertise and experience. Additionally, U_SCALE strengthens cross-border collaboration by organizing an international hybrid conference on “Resilience, Collaboration, Transformation – Governing Climate Transitions for Ukraine Recovery”, in Dresden and Kyiv, facilitating knowledge transfer between Ukrainian and European stakeholders. These efforts contribute to long-term institutional resilience, ensuring that Ukrainian researchers and their institutions are well-positioned to support the country’s climate neutrality transition (see WP 3).

These objectives will produce measurable outcomes within our three-year timeline and create a lasting infrastructure for climate governance collaboration. Hence, we will be able to build sustainable capacity for future innovation in Ukraine’s academic and policy landscape while advancing existing methods and models for research partnerships among the German and Ukrainian partners.