NRK Radio Features TURBO Project on 3rd Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
On February 24, 2025, Anatoli Bourmistrov and Veronika Vakulenko were invited to NRK Radio to present the latest results of the TURBO project. Short outline of the interview is presented below:
What is the project about?
TURBO is an Erasmus capacity-building project funded by the EU (2024-2026) aimed at supporting Ukrainian universities in addressing the challenge of internal migration. The project is a collaboration between Nord University (HHN), Kozminsky University in Poland, the International Foundation of Social Adaptation, seven Ukrainian universities, and several NGOs.
Why is it important to retrain Ukrainian refugees and IDPs?
Due to the war, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, arriving in new communities without jobs or social networks. The project helps address this crisis by developing micro-courses tailored to local labor market demands, improving employability. Additionally, it provides psychological rehabilitation to foster a sense of security and hope for the future.
The broader impact of the project
Beyond assisting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine, the project highlights the evolving role of universities in addressing societal crises, such as increasing migration. It enables universities to build expertise in crisis response, particularly in facilitating the integration of migrants through education and professional training.
Progress and feedback so far
Throughout 2024, the project focused on assessing labor market needs, developing targeted courses, and ensuring quality assurance. Teaching is set to begin in February-March 2025. Since the first graduates will complete their courses in May-June 2025, it is still too early to assess employment outcomes, but results will be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the training programs.
Nord University’s role and long-term vision
Nord University has collaborated with Ukrainian institutions since 2003 and is among Norway’s most experienced actors in understanding Ukraine’s academic and institutional landscape. This experience was instrumental in shaping the project proposal, risk assessments, and strategic planning, which were well received by the EU Commission.
The project also provides valuable insights for Norway, helping develop strategies for integrating migrants and refugees. Rather than viewing migration as a financial burden, it should be seen as an investment in human resources that contribute to local economic and social development. Given the workforce shortages in Northern Norway, such initiatives are essential for sustainable community growth.
TURBO Project Reports are published
The TURBO project continues. On July 15, IFSA submitted 2 comprehensive reports to Nord University
Kozminski University supports Ukrainian universities on their way to internationalisation
Equipment for the creation of digital content was purchased for partner universities of the TURBO project
Annual UKRAINETT conference at Nord University 16-17 September 2024
UNERA Newsletter March 2024
Nord med krisehjelp til Ukraina
In a new EU-funded project, Nord University is helping Ukrainian universities with the necessary retraining of the country’s displaced citizens.
Nord med krisehjelp til Ukraina: News and PublicationsLaunch of the TURBO project
We are happy to announce that we launched the project “The Universities’ Reaction to Big Obstructions: Building resilient higher education to respond and manage societal crises” (TURBO). The project is financed by the EU, Erasmus+. The main aim of TURBO is to increase the resilience, preparedness, and responsiveness of Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) by building their capacities, improving competencies, and sharing experiences.
The participants of the project are Nord University (Norway), which is the main coordinator of the project, Kozminski University (Poland), International Foundation for Social Adaptation, and seven Ukrainian universities: Lviv Polytechnic National University, West Ukrainian National University, Chernivtsi National Fedkovych University, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, Vinnytsia National Technical University, and South Ukrainian State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushynsky.
The first physical meetings in frames of this project with some online participants from Poland and Ukraine on Zoom, and a thematic seminar, “The role of digitalization in training and social adaptation during the crises,” took place in February 2024 in Bodø.
The picture is taken during the first meeting of the Steering Committee meeting on 13 February 2024.
