From 10 to 12 December, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv successfully hosted the official kick-off meeting, joint workshops, study visit and launching event of the international project GREEN IMPACT (Global Resilience through Educational Environmental Networks for Institutional Management, Professional Advancement and Community Transformation), co-funded by the European Union. The event brought together representatives of higher education institutions, researchers, project managers and sustainability experts from several European countries, providing a valuable platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange and strategic planning for the project implementation.

The GREEN IMPACT project aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions to address sustainability challenges and accelerate the green transition through innovative educational approaches, institutional development and international cooperation. Throughout the three-day event, partners discussed key activities that will support universities in integrating sustainability principles into their teaching, research, governance and community engagement practices.

The programme began with a study visit dedicated to the sustainable development initiatives of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv. Participants explored the university campus and were introduced to its green infrastructure, environmental initiatives and long-term sustainability vision. University representatives presented examples of sustainable campus management and highlighted the institution’s commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation. The visit also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and discuss good practices related to sustainability in higher education.

The kick-off meeting sessions focused on project governance, communication strategies, risk management and quality assurance procedures. Work package leaders presented the objectives, expected outcomes and implementation plans for the project activities, while partners discussed roles, responsibilities, deliverables and reporting mechanisms. These sessions laid the foundations for effective collaboration and ensured a common understanding of the project goals and implementation framework.

A major highlight of the programme was the official GREEN IMPACT Launching Event, during which the project consortium presented the initiative to members of the academic community, stakeholders and external participants. The event introduced the project’s vision, objectives and expected impact, emphasising the importance of sustainability, resilience and institutional transformation within higher education. Interactive discussions encouraged participants to explore how sustainability initiatives can be translated into practical actions and long-term institutional change.

The event also featured a series of joint workshops dedicated to European sustainability frameworks and their application in higher education institutions. Participants examined existing European approaches, discussed their adaptation to local contexts and collaborated on the development of institutional green action plans. Through group work and facilitated discussions, partners identified opportunities, challenges and practical measures that can support the implementation of sustainability strategies across participating institutions.

During the final day, consortium members focused on administrative and financial procedures, bilateral agreements and the operational planning of activities for the first six months of the project. Discussions addressed upcoming deliverables, timelines and coordination mechanisms, ensuring a clear roadmap for the next stages of implementation. Additional workshop sessions enabled partners to identify institutional gaps, explore opportunities for improvement and formulate policy recommendations related to sustainability and green transformation in higher education.

As project coordinator, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv successfully facilitated the event and welcomed the international consortium to Bulgaria. The meeting marked an important milestone in the implementation of GREEN IMPACT and reinforced the university’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and international cooperation. The outcomes of the kick-off meeting established a strong foundation for future collaboration and for achieving the project’s goal of supporting greener, more resilient and socially responsible higher education institutions across Europe.