The collaboration will support advanced training and capacity building in the country’s water sector.

Building on the UK–Ukraine Twinning Programme, the University has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Mykolaiv Water Hub (key project implementing partner) to extend the impact of its partnership with NUWEE beyond academia and into professional training for water utilities and municipal stakeholders. The initiative reinforces Newcastle’s commitment to global engagement, civic responsibility and knowledge exchange in response to Ukraine’s ongoing challenges.

Led through Newcastle University’s Centre for Water, the collaboration will support the development of hybrid training programmes addressing urgent skills needs in Ukraine’s water and wastewater sector. The work draws on interdisciplinary expertise in water engineering, governance, sustainability and innovation, developed through years of joint activity with NUWEE.

Supporting reconstruction efforts

The initiative is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as part of its wider engagement in Ukraine, and particularly in Mykolaiv, to strengthen human capital and institutional resilience. Through targeted skills development, the programme aims to enhance the capacity of water utilities and local partners to support reconstruction efforts, adopt modern management practices and build long-term sector sustainability.

For Newcastle, the MoC was signed by Professor Li Li, PVC Global, who highlighted the importance of the partnership and expressed her support for the twinning collaboration with NUWEE.

Professor Claire Walsh, Director of Newcastle University’s Centre for Water, added:
“This agreement builds on the Centre for Water’s strong track record of translating research and academic expertise into practical training that supports professionals on the ground.”

Professor Nataliia Savina, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs at NUWEE, said:
“International partnerships such as this are essential for sustaining and strengthening higher education in Ukraine. Our joint efforts support immediate needs while laying foundations for long-term growth and stability in the water sector.”

The MoC marks another step in the evolution of Newcastle University’s global water partnerships, extending the impact of earlier initiatives such as the GCRF Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub and reinforcing the University’s role as a trusted partner in international capacity building, skills development and sustainable infrastructure.