CEDAR – Training and mentoring for sustainable business models

One of the projects, CEDAR, is led by Yulia Vakulenko from the Division of Packaging Logistics and aims to better understand the challenges businesses face while operating under the difficult conditions created by the ongoing war, and to explore ways of supporting their transition towards sustainable growth and access to European markets.

“Through this project, we want to contribute with our knowledge of sustainable business models and e-commerce, at the same time as we learn from the experiences of our Ukrainian partners,” says Yulia.

The project will lay the foundation for a programme offering training, mentoring and knowledge exchange between Swedish and Ukrainian organisations.

TINCERER – Transforming technological know-how into lasting businesses

The second project, TINCERER, led by Axel Nordin from the Division of Innovation, aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship in Ukraine by helping to transform technological know-how into sustainable businesses.

“Ukrainian engineers and companies have shown an impressive ability to develop new solutions quickly,” says Axel. “TINCERER is about building the structures needed to turn that expertise into civilian products and lasting businesses.”

The project will provide training in additive manufacturing, AI-driven design and EU standards, while also supporting a group of entrepreneurs that includes veterans and women founders.

The value of international cooperation

Although the projects address different challenges, they are united by a shared belief in the value of international cooperation and collaborative learning.

“Our Ukrainian colleagues have become extremely good at developing solutions quickly with limited resources, and we have a lot to learn from them. The learning goes both ways,” says Axel.

Yulia agrees and adds:

“Meeting our Ukrainian colleagues in person creates a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and build stronger relationships.”

By bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and organisations from Sweden and Ukraine, CEDAR and TINCERER aim to create lasting networks and partnerships that contribute to innovation, resilience and sustainable businesses.