Capacity building in the field of higher education (ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE)

Duration of the project: 01.01.2023. – 31.12.2026.

Link: growth.ubn.rs.ba

Bosnia and Herzegovina BE 001 University of Bijeljina
BE 002 University of Herzegovina
BE 003 University College CEPS Kiseljak
Montenegro BE 004 Adriatic University Bar
BE 008 Socioeconomic Center of Montenegro
Serbia BE 005 Academy of applied preschool teaching and health studies
Germany BE 006 HOCHSCHULE WEIHENSTEPHAN-TRIESDORF
Slovakia BE 007 Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE INTERVENTION LOGIC OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS AND PREREQUISITES
Goal (general objective)

To assist Western Balkans green transition efforts

 1) Evidence of green transition mechanisms in place at Uni campuses until 2025

2) Evidence of green learning culture and support provision at HEIs

3) Students and staff indicate overall satisfaction with the introduced transformation measures

 1) Partner HEIs annual reports, external evaluation report

2) Optimized Partner

Green services and mechanism on Campus

progress evaluations, external evaluation, partner HEIs self-evaluation reports

 Green Agenda and EU Green Deal remain highly in political agendas of Western Balkans potential candidate and candidate states
NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE INTERVENTION LOGIC OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE INDICATORS MEANS OF VERIFICATION IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS AND PREREQUISITES
Purpose (specific Objectives)

SO1) To make higher education and research in the Western Balkans more environmentally conscious

SO2) To introduce green education methodologies and practices in 4 partner higher education institutions

 SOin1.1) Number of measures introduced at HEIs to support green transition in 2 partner countries (20)

SOin1.2) Number of managements, teaching and non-teaching staff (120-150) improved competencies on green transition and HEIs role in the process

SOin1.3) Number of partners HEIs implemented the principles of green transition (4)

SOin2.1) Number of partners HEIs optimized their working environment and learning tools and equipment (4)

SOin2.2) Number of partners HEIs adopted institutional policies ensuring green transition (4)

SOin2.3) Number of ToT teams created at partner HEIs (4) and number of trained teaching staff (48)

 SOin1.1) external evaluation report

SOin1.2) External evaluation report

SOin1.3) Partner HEIs annual reports

SOin2.1) Partner HEIs websites, external evaluation report

SOin2.2) Partner HEIs annual reports

SOin2.3) Partner HEIs annual reports

 Assumption:

All HEIs leaders in the Western Balkans understand the needs for greening their campuses and buildings

Assumption:

All HEIs are ready to promote their success stories with local, national and transnational stakeholders and counterparts

Outdoor classroom - a new learning experience at the Faculty of Management

The Herceg Novi Faculty of Management has successfully implemented one of the activities within the innovative ERASMUS+ project GROWTH, the goal of which was to improve the learning environment by implementing outdoor classrooms. This project allowed students to experience a new approach to teaching, where the idea is to hold lectures in a natural environment, which creates a dynamic and stimulating atmosphere. Through this project, students had the opportunity to participate in an educational process that is not only educational, but also ecologically strengthened, because contact with nature and active learning are promoted.

The outdoor lecture space was designed to offer a comfortable environment that encourages creativity, interaction and teamwork among students.

The lecture was attended by first-year students, who in this new atmosphere showed a high level of engagement and desire to learn. Outdoor teaching provided a refreshing change from the traditional classroom, allowing students to integrate nature into their educational process.

A man in a suit stands next to a whiteboard displaying a triangle diagram labeled 'TOP,' 'MID,' and 'OPERATIVE.'

At the end of the activity, a survey was conducted among the students to gather feedback on their experience. The results of the survey showed that students were extremely satisfied with this method of teaching, emphasizing how this approach helped them feel more motivated and engaged in the learning process.

A group of people is seated outdoors, listening to a speaker in front of a whiteboard, with mountains in the background.

The Faculty of Management Herceg Novi continues to implement innovative methods in education, introducing new and creative ways to provide students with better quality and more interesting learning. By introducing outdoor classrooms, the Faculty confirms its commitment to creating a modern educational environment that is in line with modern trends and the needs of students.

Strategy towards a green and sustainable FMHN University

The strategy "Towards a green university" of the Faculty of Management Herceg Novi defines the vision of long-term development through sustainable infrastructure, green practices and strengthening environmental awareness in the academic community.

The document emphasizes reducing the environmental footprint of the faculty through energy efficiency, digitalization and an improved waste management system. Special emphasis is placed on integrating the principles of sustainable development into teaching, research and student initiatives, while strengthening cooperation with the local community and international partners.

The strategy aims to create an environmentally aware academic community that actively contributes to the development of the green economy and the improvement of social responsibility.

You can view the entire Strategy at the link: "Towards a green university"

FMHN actively participates in the GROWTH project - Together towards greener universities

The Faculty of Management in Herceg Novi, together with partners from the European Union and the Western Balkans, participates in the international project GROWTH (Greening Relevance in Operations in Western Balkans Tertiary Education
Habitats), whose goal is to improve environmental awareness, develop sustainable practices and support the green transition in higher education.

The project is financed by the European Union and brings together higher education institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the European Union, with the intention of laying the foundations of sustainable university campuses aligned with the EU's vision of climate neutrality by 2050 through cooperation, knowledge exchange and the development of green policies.

You can view the final Newsletter at the following link: GROWTH Newsletter

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Representatives of the Faculty of Management, a partner in the Erasmus+ project GROWTH (Greening Relevance in Operations in Western-Balkan Tertiary-Education Habitats), attended a meeting and practical training in Slovakia from 16 to 17 October 2023. year. The host of the said training was the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra - SUA.
The project is aimed at supporting the environmental efforts of the countries of the Western Balkans, and in addition to our university, partners from four other countries are participating in the project: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Germany and Slovakia.
In front of the Faculty of Management, the meeting in Slovakia was attended by prof. Dr. Irena Petrušić, prof. Dr. Jovana Jovanović and MSc Sanja Samardžić.
Representatives of the Faculty of Management, a partner in the Erasmus+ project GROWTH (Greening Relevance in Operations in Western-Balkan Tertiary-Education Habitats), attended a meeting and practical training in Germany in the period from 15 to 17 November 2023. year. The host of the said training was Weihenstephan Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), while the study programs and activities of the said university were presented during the training, as well as an organized tour of the campuses in Triesdorf and Freising. In addition to the above, a visit to the agricultural fair was organized for project participants from the Western Balkans on November 16, 2023. in Hanover - Agritechnica.
The GROWTH project is aimed at supporting the environmental efforts of the countries of the Western Balkans, and in addition to our university, partners from four other countries are participating in the project: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Germany and Slovakia.
In front of the Faculty of Management, the meeting in Germany was attended by prof. Dr. Irena Petrušić, prof. Dr. Jovana Jovanović and MSc Sanja Samardžić.

Within the Erasmus+ project GROWTH, a video tutorial was created for teachers that covers the topic of creating environmentally friendly forms of teaching and approaching the topic of green practices from the point of view of innovative and ecological methods. The tutorial was created in English, with subtitles in Bosnian and Montenegrin. The video is available as an open resource
on the project website.

You can watch the video tutorial at the following link:
https://www.veed.io/view/81fde8a7-50e1-4237-bc92-e3b1e8d80244?panel=share

Policy Brief "Towards a Green University" presents a strategic framework for higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Western Balkans to develop and implement green policies with an emphasis on sustainability in higher education operations. The document, financed through the Erasmus program within the GROWTH project, aims to raise awareness of the importance of integrating sustainability into the basic functions of the Higher Education Institution. This document discusses the global urgency of climate change, in line with the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The report analyzes current trends and practices in sustainability in higher education, promoting a holistic approach that encompasses governance, curriculum, research and day-to-day operations. It highlights the need for comprehensive green metrics to measure development and effectiveness in sustainability efforts, such as energy management, waste reduction and sustainable transportation.
Finally, it is concluded that a successful transition to the green university model requires dedicated leadership, effective communication and cultural changes among stakeholders. By prioritizing sustainability, HEIs in the Western Balkans can significantly contribute to preserving the environment and promoting a climate-neutral future.

Policy brief "Towards a green university"
Policy brief "Towards a green university"