Odesa State Agrarian University is a partner of the international project “SMS-RO-UA: Development of Screening and Monitoring Systems for Emerging Diseases and Prevention of Cross-Border Epidemics in the Current Context”, ROUA00136.
The project is co-financed by the EU under the Interreg NEXT Romania–Ukraine 2021–2027 programme and is aimed at addressing cross-border disease issues in the Lower Danube region.
Project Objectives
- Enhancing the capacity to research emerging diseases in the cross-border region.
- Ensuring effective disease surveillance and epidemic prevention.
- Reducing risks to human health, the environment and biodiversity.
Special attention is given to African swine fever, West Nile virus, avian influenza, leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis through a joint analysis of cross-border diseases.
Project consortium
- Lead partner: Youth public organization “New European Generation” (Ukraine)
- Partner 2: Veterinary Sanitary and Food Safety Directorate Tulcea (Romania)
- Partner 3: Odesa State Agrarian University (Ukraine)
Project budget is €418 063,41, in particular, the budget of Odesa State Agrarian University is €144 748,80 (grant amount €130 273,92).
Implementation: 18 months (04.06.2025 – 03.12.2026)
Project Activities
- Communication and visibility actions
- Improvement of the laboratory complex at Odesa State Agrarian University (Ukraine)
- Equipment and supplies for DSVA laboratory in Romania
- Joint research of emerging diseases in cross-border area: sampling and analysis
- Increasing awareness on emerging diseases and the prevention of cross-border epidemics
- “One Health” information campaign
Expected Project results
- Joint scientific report on the research of key cross-border diseases
- Equipping partner laboratories with specialized equipment
- Joint GIS platform based on the results of the conducted research
- Development of protocols with step-by-step instructions for identifying sources of diseases and preventive measures
- Increase awareness and sharing knowledge through informational and training seminars, workshops and study visits
- Practical guide “Assessment of Emerging Diseases” to harmonize disease assessment within the EU “One Health” policy
Launch of the SMS-RO-UA project
On September 18, 2025 the project launch event was held at Odesa State Agrarian University.
Format – mixed: face-to-face and remote participation (online/Zoom).
Key outcomes of the event:
- Increasing awareness of the project activities, EU funding, attracting media attention to create an information base
- Creating a support network for the long-term sustainability of the project, forming a positive image of project activities among stakeholders
- Increasing public awareness of the need and prospects for their participation in the project as stakeholders
The event became an important step toward harmonizing Ukraine’s standards with EU norms and establishing a reliable system for monitoring emerging diseases in the cross-border region.
First Training Visit
On October 2, 2025 the first training visit was held at Odesa State Agrarian University as a partner of the project SMS-RO-UA. The event was aimed at raising awareness among researchers and the general public about the spread, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of transboundary animal diseases, with particular attention to transmission routes, associated risks and the sense of urgency they entail. The event served as an important platform for discussing joint actions to combat transboundary animal diseases and promoted dialogue among scientists, industry professionals and representatives of the public.
