NUBiP of Ukraine and Swedish Partners: SIDA Officially Signs Joint Project to Support the Agricultural Sector
On 13 August 2026, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) officially signed the project “Economic Development through Agriculture in Ukraine”. The initiative will be implemented jointly with the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP of Ukraine) by Swedish partners — the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA), and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (SJV).
The project was initiated following a meeting in 2025 between NUBiP Rector Vadym TKACHUK and SLU Vice-Rector Maria Knutson WEDEL, during which the parties discussed prospects for deepening cooperation between the two universities.
Форум ректорів і деканів ICA, BOKU (Відень, Австрія), 16 жовтня 2025 року
The joint project proposal was initiated by Sara GRÄSLUND, Head of SLU Global, on the Swedish side, and Oleksandr LABENKO, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and International Affairs at NUBiP of Ukraine.
The project aims to contribute to the economic development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector by strengthening its capacity for sustainable, efficient, and EU-compliant agricultural production. The main focus is on small and medium-sized farms, which play a crucial role in rural employment and food security while remaining one of the most vulnerable groups within the agricultural sector. The support will include access to modern technologies and innovations, advisory services, and better integration into value chains.
During the current project design phase, which will run from the third quarter of 2026 through the end of 2027, the partners will map and engage stakeholders, assess the needs of the agricultural sector, and develop two pilot training programmes: one on livestock production — “Healthy Livestock – Safe Food: Livestock Production in Compliance with EU Requirements” — and one on crop production — “Phytosanitary Measures in Crop Production in Compliance with EU Requirements.” Based on this work, a comprehensive long-term proposal for cooperation between the agricultural sectors of Ukraine and Sweden will be developed. The budget for the project design phase amounts to more than SEK 3.1 million.
On the SLU side, the project is coordinated by Katarina BÖRLING, Researcher at SLU Global. On the Ukrainian side, the project is coordinated by Oleksandr LABENKO, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and International Affairs, and Oleksandra RALKO, Associate Professor of the Department of Administrative Management and Foreign Economic Activity.
The livestock training programme working group is led by Emelie PETTERSSON from the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA). Bengt JOHNSSON from the Swedish Board of Agriculture (SJV) provides expert support on establishing and facilitating agricultural exports to EU countries.
The initiative has received the support of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. In a letter of support, Deputy Minister Taras VYSOTSKYI emphasised the importance of modernising the agricultural sector and bringing production practices closer to EU requirements, particularly in the context of the ongoing full-scale war.
Despite the challenges caused by the war, this cooperation is compelling evidence that knowledge, trust, and joint efforts can transform today’s challenges into a strong foundation for tomorrow’s prosperity.