The Department of Environmental Safety and Nature Protection Activities of the Vyacheslav Chornovil Institute of Sustainable Development, together with the Tutoring and Mentoring Center of Lviv Polytechnic National University, held a professional discussion of the Guidelines with recommendations for developing sustainable development strategies for Ukrainian universities. This initiative became a timely response to the challenges currently facing higher education institutions in conditions of martial law, limited funding, and future post-war recovery.

The presented document was developed within the framework of the international project Transformational Learning Network for Resilience (Erasmus+ 2023–2025). Its main value lies in providing a comprehensive framework for integrating sustainable development principles into key areas of university activity — from strategic management to the educational process and infrastructure solutions. Essentially, it represents a shift from isolated “green” initiatives to a systemic institutional sustainability policy. Participants emphasized that the role of universities in contemporary conditions is expanding significantly. Higher education institutions are viewed not only as centers of learning but as active drivers of national recovery, generators of innovation, and spaces for fostering social cohesion. In this context, a proposal was made to develop an institutional sustainable development strategy tailored to the Ukrainian context, resource constraints, and the real needs of university communities. A particular emphasis was placed on interdisciplinary approaches. The discussion demonstrated that an effective sustainable development strategy cannot be limited solely to environmental concerns. It must encompass management practices, educational programs, digital transformation, energy efficiency, student community engagement, and partnerships with business and local communities. According to participants, such comprehensiveness ensures a real, rather than declarative, impact. Nataliia Bokla, Head of the Tutoring and Mentoring Center at Lviv Polytechnic, highlighted that environmental awareness and “green” solutions are gradually being integrated into the university’s mentoring initiatives. In particular, the Center already runs the program “Mentoring in Green Technologies” (PROMENT), aimed at fostering students’ ecological thinking, promoting sustainable practices within student communities, and supporting youth interested in eco-innovation. This approach demonstrates an important shift: sustainability is increasingly considered not only as an infrastructure or management topic but also as an element of shaping a new educational culture. At a broader strategic level, the initiative aligns with global benchmarks — the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal. This demonstrates the university’s commitment to integrating into the European educational and innovation space not declaratively, but through concrete tools and practical initiatives. An important managerial perspective was outlined by Ihor Petrushka, Head of the Department of Environmental Safety and Nature Protection Activities. He emphasized the need to enhance the qualifications of faculty members as a critical condition for the success of any educational transformation. According to him, even the best strategy will not work without up-to-date competencies among educators capable of integrating sustainable development principles into courses and practical student training. This emphasis reflects a broader European trend: human resource development is a key factor for institutional resilience.

Analysis of the discussion shows that Ukrainian universities are gradually shifting from a reactive adaptation model to proactive strategic planning. The proposed Guidelines can become an important tool for unifying approaches to sustainable development, although their effectiveness will depend on the level of institutional support, resource availability, and universities’ readiness for cross-sector collaboration. The meeting demonstrated a high level of readiness within the academic community for systemic change. The next logical steps should include the practical implementation of the recommendations, development of institutional roadmaps, and measurement of the real impact of “green” transformations.