The kick-off meeting of the BRIDGE project took place
At the end of October 2024, in Berlin the kick-off meeting of the international BRIDGE project (“Building Resilient Innovations in Democracy, Governance and Excellence”), which brings together leading universities and organizations from across Europe. The project is funded by the European Union’s "Horizon Europe" program (Project No. #101160337).
The meeting was attended by BRIDGE project partners, including the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands), Berlin University of Technology (Germany), University of Tartu (Estonia), and the Center for Innovations Development (CID, Ukraine).
During the event, participants discussed their shared vision and planned the next steps for the project, which will run for three years. A series of training events and initiatives are planned to advance research and practice in participatory governance at the local level. One of the key activities will be the implementation of a pilot citizens' assembly in Ukraine. This innovative initiative will take place in a hybrid format (offline and online) to engage a broader range of community representatives in discussions on the most pressing issues of reconstruction and development. Expert support for the preparation and implementation of this initiative will be provided by partners from the Berlin University of Technology, who have decades of experience in studying and conducting citizens' assemblies in Germany and other European countries.
The project also aims to strengthen the research potential of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), which serves as the project coordinator, by establishing an international research department.
This new structural unit will enhance the university’s participation in grant competitions and support researchers in writing and managing project proposals. Among the initial priorities are the formation of a professional team of project managers and grant writers, as well as the preparation of joint project applications with partner institutions.
The BRIDGE project provides the Kyiv School of Economics with an opportunity not only to expand its research capacity in participatory and digital governance but also to adopt best practices from partners in project management, citizens' assemblies, and public engagement. This will contribute to strengthening academic activities and fostering community development and participation in decision-making processes.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.