September 18, 2025 – Odesa State Agrarian University successfully hosted the launch information event for the international project “Development of Screening and Monitoring Systems for Emerging Diseases and Prevention of Cross-Border Epidemics in the Current Context” (SMS-RO-UA, ROUA00136), funded by the EU under Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021-2027.
The event was conducted in a hybrid format combining face-to-face and remote participation via Zoom platform. This format enabled broad participation from both Ukrainian and Romanian stakeholders.
The event attracted exceptionally wide interest from diverse stakeholder groups:
- Representatives of local communities
- Leaders and specialists from industry agencies
- NGO representatives
- Researchers and educators from higher education institutions
- Specialists from research organizations and medical centers
- Experts in veterinary science and epidemiology
Active participation came from the associated project partner – State Food and Consumer Service in Odesa region, whose representatives not only attended the event but actively engaged in discussions on epidemiological surveillance and food safety matters.
Event Program included:
- Official opening and participant welcome
- Presentation of project purpose, relevance and resources (total budget €418,063.41)
- Introduction of project participants and partners from Ukraine and Romania
- Detailed overview of EU project funding mechanisms
- Discussion of implementation stages, components and planned activities
- Panel on modern challenges of transboundary epidemics
- Interactive Q&A session
Participants actively engaged in discussions, asked questions about cooperation opportunities, shared experiences and proposals. Particularly lively discussions focused on practical implementation of monitoring systems and possibilities for various organizations to participate in project activities.
Event Outcomes:
- Established support network among key regional stakeholders
- Increased awareness of EU funding opportunities and international cooperation
- Attracted media attention for project activity coverage
- Established new contacts between Ukrainian and Romanian partners
- Created positive project image within professional community
- Identified prospects for engaging additional stakeholders in implementation
The event attracted attention from local and industry media, contributing to further public awareness about the importance of cross-border cooperation in healthcare.
The project is being implemented between June 4, 2025, and December 3, 2026, and has a total value of € 418.063,41, of which € 376.257,06 is funding provided by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027. As a partner, total Odesa State Agrarian University eligible budget is € 144.748,80.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Odesa State Agrarian University and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or of the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027 management structures.
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Ukraine Programme 2021- 2027 is financed by the European Union and co-financed by the participating countries in the Programme.
www.ro-ua.net
