Implementing permaculture principles at the University “Ukraine” contributes to sustainability, ecological awareness, and community engagement. Permaculture, short for permanent agriculture or permanent culture, is an approach to designing systems that mimic natural ecosystems to create regenerative and self-sustaining environments. Here are some steps the University have undertaken to integrate permaculture:

1. Permaculture Educational Program:

• In 2021, the Institute of Biomedical Technologies of the University “Ukraine” (Kyiv) opened the educational program (EP) “Constructive Ecology and Permaculture”. Its purpose is to train specialists who are able not only to determine the state of ecosystems, but also to restore disturbed and to establish new ecosystems, including agro-ecosystems on the basis of permaculture and conduct eco-educational work in order to spread the ideas of permaculture. Our partner organization is the public union “Permaculture in Ukraine”, which is engaged in the practical implementation of permaculture in our country.

1. Permaculture Design Course:

• University “Ukraine” offers permaculture design courses as part of the curriculum to educate students, faculty, and staff about permaculture principles, ethics, and practices. Graduates of the EP “Constructive ecology and permaculture” teach the basics of permaculture at certification courses of permaculture design conducted by the PU “Permaculture in Ukraine” and conduct training in permaculture methods at various webinars, seminars and other events throughout Ukraine and abroad, in their own Educational and Demonstration permaculture centers and help in their organization in eco-villages or other places.

1. Demonstration Sites:

• University “Ukraine” created on-campus permaculture demonstration sites showcasing various permaculture techniques such as swales, edible landscapes, companion planting, and rainwater harvesting.

1. Sustainable Landscaping:

• University “Ukraine” transforms campus landscapes using permaculture principles, emphasizing native and edible plants, mulching, and incorporating design elements that conserve water and enhance biodiversity.

1. Permaculture Gardens:

• University “Ukraine” establishes permaculture gardens or food forests on campus where students and the community can actively participate in hands-on learning experiences and harvest fresh produce. On the territory of the University “Ukraine” at the address: str. Lvivska, 23, Kyiv, an experimental site with two Warm beds of the Mind in boxes has been created for the convenience of wheelchair users, as students with disabilities study here. Here is an example of a Warm bed of the Mind 1 week after laying and a month later:
• The sides of the boxes are protected by a light-reflecting coating to avoid overheating and drying of the soil, the surface of the soil is covered with mulch.

1. Waste Reduction and Composting:

• University “Ukraine” develops a campus-wide composting program to manage organic waste, turning it into nutrient-rich compost for use in permaculture gardens and landscapes.

1. Sustainable Agriculture Research:

• University “Ukraine” encourages research initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and regenerative farming practices, incorporating permaculture principles.
• Research is being conducted to determine the optimal methods of reclamation of war-damaged soils using permaculture methods. Here you can see an example how in one season, it was possible to turn a poisoned stream into a flower bed.

1. Collaboration with Local Communities:

• University “Ukraaine” collaborates with local communities to implement permaculture projects that address food security, community resilience, and sustainable development.

1. Integration into Existing Programs:

• University “Ukraine” incorporates permaculture principles into existing programs, such as environmental studies, agriculture, architecture, and landscape design, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

10. Student-Led Initiatives:

• University “Ukraine” supports student-led permaculture initiatives, providing resources, mentorship, and space for projects that align with university goals and values.

11. Community Workshops and Events:

• Host workshops, seminars, and events open to the community, promoting permaculture awareness and knowledge-sharing.

12. Campus Permaculture Club:

• University “Ukraine” established a campus permaculture club or student organization to facilitate networking, collaboration, and community-building among students interested in permaculture. In order to spread the ideas of permaculture, “Ukraine” University actively cooperates with the National Ecological and Naturalistic Center, which organizes extracurricular group work in schools of Ukraine: the All-Ukrainian contest of school forest gardens was planned for the spring of 2022, but it was postponed due to the war. In addition, many schools in Ukraine are creating Warm Beds of Reason to teach schoolchildren the methods of permaculture.

13. Permaculture Design Challenges:

• University “Ukraine” organizes permaculture design challenges, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to propose sustainable solutions for specific campus or community issues.

14. Integration with Campus Operations:

• University “Ukraine” integrates permaculture principles into campus operations, including waste management, energy efficiency, and water conservation practices.

15. Annual Permaculture Events:

• University “Ukraine” hosts annual permaculture events, such as permaculture fairs, where students and the community can showcase their projects, exchange ideas, and celebrate achievements. On the basis of the university, several international scientific and practical conferences were held, devoted to topical issues of permaculture development, in particular, the restoration of landscapes after military operations (https://www.permaculture.in.ua/index.php/uk/projects-and-events-ua /2023-08-11-09-20-53). Based on the materials of the previous conferences, a textbook was published (https://uu.edu.ua/upload/Osvita/Navch_metod_d_t/Navch_metod_materiali/Ecolologiya/Agroecologiya_permacutura.pdf), which is freely available on the university's website. A short methodological manual on the most popular basic technology of permaculture - the creation of an intensive modular forest on the basis of Warm beds of Reason (https://fbmt.uu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/lisosad_ukr.pdf) was also published, which translated into English (https://fbmt.uu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/rozum_beds_forest_garden_en.pdf) - they are also freely available. A very voluminous practical manual on permaculture is being prepared for publication, which will include the experience of using permaculture in Ukraine.

By incorporating permaculture principles into various aspects of University life, we contribute to environmental stewardship, resilience, and community well-being.

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