Implementation of Positive Practices of Reconstruction and Development of Territorial Communities of the Republic of Poland into the Educational Process of the Educational and Professional Program “Finance, Banking and Insurance”

On September 22–26, 2025, a week-long training “Reconstruction and Development of Local Communities – Inspiration from Poland” was held in Opole, Poland, with the active participation of Ganna Kostenko, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Economics, Management and Finance. The event was part of a project implemented within the framework of an intervention grant from the “Leaders of Change” Foundation and was aimed at representatives of relocated communities from Ukraine, as well as scholarship holders of the Lane Kirkland Program.

The training focused on sharing experiences in the field of community recovery and management in times of crisis, as well as presenting best practices in managing water and energy resources, spatial planning, environmental protection, and cooperation between local self-government bodies and non-governmental organizations.

The program featured thematic workshops, study visits, meetings with experts, and integration activities. In particular, participants attended the Congress on Minority Issues “National and Ethnic Minorities in Poland and Europe – Society, Politics, State” (September 23–24, 2025), the 2nd Opole Social Economy Forum “Social Future – Responsibility, Innovation and Partnership” (September 25–26, 2025) and organized meetings with representatives of the University of Opole, the Center for Public Dialogue of the Opole City Council, the “Laboratories of Change” Foundation, the Opole Women’s Council, the NGO “AVIRIANA” and others.

Ganna Kostenko received a certificate confirming the successful completion of the week-long training, which comprised 40 hours of study.

The knowledge and practical experience gained in the areas of local finance management, community resource management, social economy development and cooperation with communities and institutions will enrich the educational components of the program “Finance, Banking and Insurance,” strengthen the interdisciplinary approach and integrate European practices into the preparation of higher education students. This will contribute to shaping a modern understanding of financial and economic mechanisms in community development and will increase the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market.

The training was implemented in cooperation with the University of Opole, the NGO AVIRIANA and the Opole City Council, with the participation of experts and scholarship holders of the Lane Kirkland Program.

Special thanks are extended to project coordinator Antonina Kalinichenko, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor at the University of Opole (Poland) for organizing and conducting the training, which provided valuable knowledge and practical experience to support the further development of the educational and professional program “Finance, Banking and Insurance”.