Project acronym: GROMADA

Funding: this project is financed under the Erasmus+ program (KA2 competition)

Project number: 2023-1-SE01-KA220-HED-000151848

Project duration: December 1, 2023 – November 30, 2025

Project website: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/

GROMADA aims to develop cooperation between European universities to support public and legal capacity for environmental recovery in Ukraine. As the war has brought a huge toll to Ukraine’s environment, the project fosters civic engagement in environmental citizen science in light of its legal dimension. By analysing barriers and opportunities for community engagement in environmental action and peacebuilding, GROMADA emphasises the legal aspects of environmental harm monitoring in war, empowering conflict-affected communities.

Through a series of actions designed together with university students, academic staff and citizens, GROMADA enhances capacity building for environmental advocacy and action taking. In this context, the role of technology is crucial in mapping the ways through which communities, individuals and universities can create new models of crisis resilience based on public participation in environmental monitoring and restoration in Ukraine. GROMADA recognises the importance of involving local communities in post-conflict recovery by adopting a “citizen science-law-environment” triad that empowers Ukrainian citizens in their struggle for environmental justice.

Main footsteps of the project:

Webinars: GROMADA WEBINAR SERIES (February – August 2024)
URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/
https://www.youtube.com/@GROMADA_Ukraine/videos

LECTURE # 1. Environmental War Crimes in Russia’s War against Ukraine with Marie G. Jacobsson

Marie Jacobsson explore with the audience the legality of environmental destruction in armed conflicts, discussing responsibility and restoration. She covered the UN International Law Commission’s principles and a rising trend of individuals seeking compensation based on human rights, environmental, and civil law.
URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-1/

LECTURE # 2. International Criminal Law and ecocide as an international crime with Nicole Citeroni

This lecture provides a general overview of the context in which the idea of qualifying the most serious crimes against the #environment as international crimes has emerged. It then focuses on the legal definitions of ecocide proposed so far and the open questions arising from them, before discussing their potential application to the #conflict in Ukraine.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-2/

LECTURE # 3. Environmental damage observed during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine with the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS)

This lecture introduces the key drivers of environmental harm in relation to past and current armed conflicts, as well as recent policy measures intended to address them. It then considers examples of damage from the full-scale invasion of #Ukraine documented using a range of remote methodologies.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-3/

LECTURE # 4. Working with available environmental data in Ukraine with CEOBS

Anna McKean’s and Iryna Babanina’s lecture focuses on the essential environmental data collection system in Ukraine, as well as gaps and needs in collecting reliable evidence of environmental harm and scientifically solid and sufficient data to support post-war recovery. Special attention is paid to the changes in environmental legislation during the war regarding the right to environmental information, public participation and protection/endangerment of the environment in view of economic recovery pressures.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-4-results/

LECTURE # 5. The legal protection of wildlife in war with Saba Pipia

Saba Pipia’s presentation highlights the substantial impact of war on different types of animals, using Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a recent illustration. It concentrates on three observed trends of animal distress during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: first, the targeting and destruction of zoo animals; second, the sharp decline of the BlackSea dolphin population; and third, the consumption of pigeons and other domestic animals in areas under siege. These trends are discussed through the lens of relevant international humanitarian law rules.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-5/

LECTURE # 6. Env. Protection during Armed Conflict – Ukraine’s Perspective with Nataliia Hendel

Nataliia Hendel’s lecture is dedicated to the protection of the environment during international armed conflict under international humanitarian law. It considers the obligations of Ukraine and the Russian Federation to protect the environment during international armed conflict, as well as focuses on Ukraine’s measures for monitoring and mechanisms for compensation of environmental damage caused by the Russian aggression and the criminal liability of an individual for crimes against the environment committed in connection with an armed conflict under the Ukrainian law. It also discusses the circumstances and legal qualification of the events related to the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-6/

LECTURE # 7. A right to healthy environment in times of armed conflict with Amanda Kron

Potential harm to human rights and the environment is amplified in situations of conflict. This presentation will focus on applying the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in relation to armed conflicts, including a case study on corporate responsibility. Speaker: Amanda Kron, Lund University

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-7/

LECTURE # 8. Community monitoring of nat. resource system & environment, with N. Turreira-Garcia

This lecture explores methods to weave different knowledge systems, such as scientific knowledge and indigenous and local ecological knowledge, into community monitoring of natural resources. Meaningful involvement of indigenous and rural peoples in fragile contexts, use of Information and Communication Technology and data quality is discussed. Speaker: Nerea Turreira-Garcia, University of Copenhagen

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-8/

LECTURE # 9. Greened human rights and armed conflicts

The lecture reviews how several human rights bodies like the European Court of Human Rights have interpreted specific human rights as covering parts of the environment, such as emissions and even impacts of natural catastrophes. It touches upon the conflicting nature of the term “greening” of human rights and how it’s been interpreted as applying to situations of armed conflict, even though the laws more specifically deal with wars.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-9/

LECTURE # 10. Citizen science for environmental and health issues in conflict zones

The lecture fosters knowledge exchange and understanding on Ukrainian citizen science initiatives to shed light on key factors and nuances of citizen advocacy and empowerment for an environmentally-just future in Ukraine.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-10/

LECTURE # 11. Community monitoring of nat. resource system & environment – Law meets science

The lecture delves into case studies from the US, Europe and Cambodia to explore the use of community monitoring data for forest conservation advocacy, sanctions, and even to be used as evidence in courts as the outstanding ‘Formosa’ case from Texas shows. Speaker: Anna Berti Suman, Systasis, and Nerea Turreira-Garcia, University of Copenhagen.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-11/

LECTURE # 12. Citizens’ assemblies and advocacy for environmental justice in Ukraine

This webinar focuses on deliberative democracy practices, namely citizen assemblies, as means for civic engagement and empowerment to address socio-environmental challenges. Speakers: Myroslava Savisko, Kyiv School of Economics, & Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli, King’s College London. Chair: Stefania Oikonomou, Web2Learn.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-12/

LECTURE # 13. The Aarhus Convention & its application to civic environmental monitoring

The lecture offers an introduction to the concept of environmental democracy, access to information, and access to justice in environmental matters in Europe, pursuant to the Aarhus Convention which is applicable also in Ukraine. We will discuss how the Convention legitimises participation in environmental decisions, for example through civic environmental monitoring. We will also address the thought-provoking reflection on the need to recognize a new civic ‘right to contribute environmental information’. Speaker: Anna Berti Suman, Systasis.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-13/

LECTURE # 14. Impact of Armed Conflicts on Water Resources and Infrastructure

The webinar highlights the increasing trend in recorded conflicts where water was used as a trigger and as a casualty over the past decade. A key focus is set on the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which led to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River on 6 June 2023. Through this webinar, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the vulnerabilities of water resources and infrastructure in armed conflicts and the importance of protecting these vital assets to ensure sustainable development and societal well-being. Speaker: Prof. Valeriia Ovcharuk, DSc (Geography), Director of OSENU Hydrometeorological Institute.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-14/

LECTURE # 15. Functioning of Circular Consumption Models During War with focus on Ukraine

This webinar delves into the critical role of circular consumption models in addressing the heightened economic and ecological challenges faced by Ukraine during the ongoing war. The main focus will be on the implementation of circular models in the war time, discussing the challenges and opportunities that arise in promoting technical maintenance, repair, and shared use of products. Through case studies, the webinar will showcase real-life applications of circular consumption models in Ukraine during the war. Speaker: Olena Hubanova, Prof., DSc (Economics), Head of the Department of Environmental Economics

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-15/

LECTURE # 16. Civic monitoring for environmental law enforcement

Building on the experience of the ‘Sensing for Justice’ project, this hands-on lecture discusses the potential and actual applications of civic-gathered data as a source of evidence in environmental litigation and as a tool to foster conflict mediation. The participants are invited to reflect on the role of civic evidence in key case studies and to share their experiences of gathering evidence for law enforcement. The challenges and implications of reliance on the practice are also to be disentangled. Speaker: Anna Berti Suman, Systasis.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-16/

LECTURE # 17. Environmental protection and armed conflicts with Dr. Britta Sjöstedt (Lund University) and Dr. Anne Dienelt (University of Hamburg) – also lecture #1 of Summer school at the University of Hamburg

During the GROMADA Summer School taking place in Hamburg in August 2024, Dr. Britta Sjöstedt from Lund University and Dr. Anne Dienelt from the University of Hamburg co-taught a course on the legal framework protecting the environment in armed conflicts. The course focussed on international humanitarian law, including the law of occupation, and also included some aspects on how human rights protect the environment.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/recordings/gromada-webinar-series-lecture-17/

Workshops (April – November 2024):

• Joining forces to meet the needs of (environmental) citizen science in conflict zones (off-line, 4/5.4.24). Hosts: Systisis (Anna Berti Suman) & Web2Learn (Katerina Zourou and Stefania Oikonomou), CitiOBS (Margaret Gold and Nuria Castell). URL:
  • https://zenodo.org/records/10924956
  • https://gromada-erasmus.eu/gromada-citiobs-workshops/
• Exploring the environmental data ecosystem for citizen science in Ukraine (online, 17.4.24). Hosts: CEOBS URL:
  • https://gromada-erasmus.eu/online-workshop-exploring-the-environmental-data-ecosystem-for-citizen-science-in-ukraine/
• Lawyers and community cooperation for environmental citizen science and peacemaking in Ukraine (online, 6.6.24). Hosts: Anna Berti Suman & Sistasis team. URL:
  • https://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp2a4-expert-legal-workshop-lawyers-and-community-cooperation-for-environmental-citizen-science-and-peacebuilding-in-ukraine/
• Citizen science for environmental justice in Ukraine (online, 14.6.24). Hosts: GROMADA & CitiObs. Speaker(s): Olena Kryvoruchkina (Ukrainian MP). URL:
  • https://gromada-erasmus.eu/online-workshop-citizen-science-for-environmental-justice-in-ukraine/
• Addressing War-Linked Threats to Water in Ukraine. Introductory lecture for the DigiEduHack by GROMADA Partner CEOBS (online, 6.11.24). Hosts: CEOBS. URL:
  • https://fb.me/e/83i62ChSk

Summer school at the Hamburg University (25 August – 1 September 2024):

The war in Ukraine and related military operations are also affecting forests, rivers and the soil. GROMADA, under the auspices of University of Hamburg, is hosting an international and interdisciplinary summer school on “Civic Participation in Environmental Recovery during and after the War in Ukraine”.

The summer school offered 10 interdisciplinary courses dealing with environmental citizen science and civic monitoring, legal protection of the environment during and after an armed conflict, and evidence assessments of environmental impacts. All the topics covered were linked to the war in Ukraine and its environmental consequences. The programme enabled participants to actively engage in environmental restoration through citizen science and civic monitoring in Ukraine and beyond.

At the end of the summer school, all participants had to apply what they have learned in the courses in a simulated court proceeding (moot court) between Ukraine and Russia at the International Court of Justice. Everybody actively engaged in teams as representatives for applicant state, respondent state, and third parties in the simulated proceeding. The summer school is supported by Greenpeace, the German Red Cross, the Ukrainian Red Cross and ELSA Hamburg e.V.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/summer-school/

Day 1

• Welcome session by the Ukrainian Consulate in Hamburg
• Lecture 1: Environmental protection and armed conflicts
• Lecture 2: Climate resilience and environmental law
• Lecture 3: Civic evidence for demonstrating environmental harms in court

Day 2

• Lecture 4: Addressing environmental damage in international criminal law
• Lecture 5: Working with available environmental data in Ukraine
• Lecture 6: Environmental war crimes and ecocide under Ukrainian law
• Lecture 7: Remote assessment of conflict-linked environmental damage. Satellite imagery to investigate and identify environmental damage
• Meeting with ELSA Hamburg e.V.

Day 3

• Lecture 8: Citizen science in times of warfare – from data collection to advocacy
• Lecture 9: Community monitoring of natural resources and the environment
• Lecture 10: Legal interventions and wartime environmental damage
• Introduction to Moot Court
• Engaging with non-governmental orgs (NGOs): CEOBS, Greenpeace, The ECCHR

Day 4

• Preparing for the upcoming GROMADA Moot Court

Day 5

• The Big Day: The GROMADA Moot Court at Lichthof, Hamburg

GROMADA 2024 Moot Court story:

In August 2024, the GROMADA project hosted an interdisciplinary and international summer school in Hamburg on “Civic Participation in Environmental Recovery during and after the War in Ukraine”. The week-long summer school led to the GROMADA Moot Court - a simulated court proceeding - where the participants from ten countries, including Ukraine, took on the role of state representatives to argue three claims on environmental damages in Ukraine against the Russian Federation.

In three “claims” brought forward to the Chamber for Environmental Matters of the International Court of Justice, the participants acting as legal counsels assessed Russian and Ukrainian activities relating to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the military activities in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and, more generally, ecocide as an international crime.

Although the Chamber for Environmental Matters of the International Court of Justice, established in 1993 to meet the growing global challenges in the field of environmental protection, does in fact exist, no state has ever requested that a case be dealt with by it (so far). In the GROMADA Moot Court, the Chamber is called into action, ruling on its first case presented below.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/moot-court-story/

Hackathon (Digital Education Hackathon (DigiEduHack) 13th -14th November 2024):

The Digital Education Hackathon (DigiEduHack) is a grassroots movement that aims to foster innovation, collaboration and creativity and to drive positive change in digital education. It provides solutions to existing and future challenges in digital education.

DigiEduHack is an initiative of the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 of the European Commission. URL: https://digieduhack.com/

GROMADA participates in DigiEduHack 2024 with 3 Challenges, that are part of a project training activity on environmental citizen science, targeting Ukrainian university students and teaching staff. To provide a complete training experience, GROMADA partners who host a Challenge on DigiEduHack will organise an online workshop before the hackathon to introduce the topic to participants, while hackathon materials and communication will also be provided in Ukrainian language. The whole event is organized by Web2Learn, Greece.

URL: https://digieduhack.com/challenges/2024?challenge_country=UA

https://gromada-erasmus.eu/moot-court-story/

Challenge #1: Addressing War-Linked Threats to Water in Ukraine

Ukraine's water resources are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's ongoing war has caused direct and indirect damage to the nation's water systems, affecting the ability to monitor and manage this vital resource. On top of this, the climate crisis is intensifying the pressure on Ukraine’s already fragile water infrastructure.

URL: https://digieduhack.com/challenges/addressing-war-linked-threats-to-water-in-ukraine

https://gromada-erasmus.eu/uk/hackathon-water/

Challenge #2: The Ukrainian academic community for soil quality in Ukraine

Since 2014, and increasingly since the Russian invasion in 2021, military operations have caused severe damage to Ukrainian soil, leaving craters and changing the natural structure of the country. Explosions from shells, mines, and other munitions have devastated the soil's fertility and ability to retain water, leading to increased erosion and instability. The ecological consequences are far-reaching and urgent.

URL: https://digieduhack.com/challenges/the-ukrainian-academic-community-for-soil-quality-in-ukraine

https://gromada-erasmus.eu/uk/hackathon-soil/

Challenge #3: The UA Academic Community on the Legal Dimensions of Citizen-Generated Data

How can citizen-generated data contribute to environmental justice in conflict zones like Ukraine? Since 2009, international organizations have been working to strengthen the legal framework protecting the environment during armed conflicts, but the situation remains critical. From the UN’s International Law Commission to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the conversation is ongoing—but we need innovative minds to help advance these efforts.

URL: https://digieduhack.com/challenges/the-ua-academic-community-on-the-legal-dimensions-of-citizen-generated-data

https://gromada-erasmus.eu/uk/hackathon-legal/

Students-driven citizen science projects (February-June 2025):

The GROMADA project launched the student driven citizen science projects under the leadership of ONU. These projects aimed to apply citizen science principles for assessing various environmental issues in Ukraine, focusing on revealing the war damage to the local ecosystems. See below the projects. They are dived-in field-based projects taking place in the region of Odesa and desk-based projects.

The team of experts from all the GROMADA partners provided their state-of-the-art expertise on citizen science, environmental research and project development and worked with the students to analyze the data.

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/citizen-science-projects/

Field-based projects:

• Project # 1: Microplastic Free Shore
  The project aims to assist scientists in gathering valuable data on microplastics from various beaches in Odessa, as well as contributing to the development of a European-wide microplastics database. The project team will collect data on the growing presence of microplastics in the sand along the Black Sea shore.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Microplastic-Free-GROMADA.pdf
• Project # 2: The Satellite Remote Sensing
  This project aims to assess the environmental consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP) due to military actions in Ukraine, focusing on its impact on the hydroecological conditions of the Black Sea’s coastal waters. By integrating hydrological, hydrobiological, hydrochemical, and radiometric measurements with satellite data, the study will evaluate changes in water quality, suspended matter distribution, and biological indicators, particularly chlorophyll-a concentrations. The findings will provide critical insights into the long-term consequences of war-related environmental disasters and their effects on marine ecosystems.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Remote_satellite_sensing_GROMADA_project.pptx.pdf
• Project # 3: Climate-Resilient Urban Planning and Reconstruction in Post-War Ukraine
  This project aims to deploy climate monitoring stations in war-affected urban areas to collect data on temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind. By monitoring microclimatic conditions, the project will inform optimal construction decisions, ensuring favorable microclimate conditions for energy efficiency, green infrastructure, and ventilation corridors. The project will also establish a citizen science network for real-time climate monitoring using low-cost, Arduino-based sensors. These sensors will be strategically placed across the war-affected regions to gather climate data, which will be shared on open platforms such as ThingsBoard. This initiative will empower local communities to actively contribute to the recovery process and climate resilience planning.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Determining-Regional-Environmental-Responses.pdf
• Project # 4: Air Quality: The Field Research Project
  The destruction caused by the war in Ukraine has greatly affected air quality, with more pollution from things like explosions, fires, and damaged buildings. This has led to higher levels of harmful particles (from PM2.5 to PM10) and gases (CO2, O3), which are dangerous to public health and make recovery more difficult. However, there is not enough data on local air pollution, which makes it harder to make good decisions for rebuilding and ensuring safety. This project aims to create a citizen science network for real-time air quality monitoring using low-cost Arduino-based sensors. These sensors will be placed in various places in Odesa affected by the war to collect environmental data, which will be shared on open platforms like ThingsBoard. This will help communities see pollution trends, find pollution hotspots, and contribute to recovery planning.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Monitoring-Air-Quality-in-Urban-Areas.pdf

Desk-based Projects

• - Project # 5: Environment: War Impact on Regional Development in terms of SDG
  This project aims to assess the state of the territory in terms of sustainable development, taking into account environmental and economic indicators. The team will collect information on the state of the environment and indicators of economic development of the territory. The collected data is the basis for the formation of a database that can be used to calculate the environmental dimension index and the economic dimension index. In order to assess the state of the territory in terms of sustainable development and the impact of the military actions, the recommended period for analysis should be at least 5 years, including the pre-war years.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDSC-Environment-war-impact-on-regional-development-in-terms-of-SDG.pdf
• Project # 6: Assessment of Damage to Nature Reserve Areas Due to Military Aggression by Russia
  This project aims to assess the extent of damage to nature reserves as a result of military aggression by Russia. The team will search for information on the loss of certain species of flora and fauna, and changes in the original state of protected areas. The data obtained will be used to calculate the damage caused by the loss of protected areas, as well as the costs of restoring the territories. The results obtained are the basis for collecting a contribution from Russia for the facts of ecocide caused to the environment.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Assessement-of-Damage-to-Natural-Reserve-Areas.pdf
• Project # 7: Microdoctors for sea health
  The potential of marine bacteria to kill pathogenic microorganisms in the sea and other water bodies will be investigated using databases with open data from other researchers. We will evaluate the range of antibiotics that marine bacteria can produce to compete with dangerous bacteria that can appear in water bodies sue to infrastructure damages. Possibility to create microbial preparations for water sanitation will be revealed.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Microdoctors-for-Sea-Health.pdf
• Project # 8: Air Pollution from the Destruction of Military Equipment
  This project aims to assess the extent of damage caused to the airspace in Ukraine as a result of the destruction of Russian occupiers' military equipment. The team will monitor the destruction of the number of units of military equipment by type. The data obtained will be used to calculate the emissions of some pollutants into the air and the amount of damage caused. The results obtained are the basis for collecting a contribution from Russia for the facts of ecocide caused to the environment.
  • URL: http://gromada-erasmus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GROMADA-WP4A2-SDCS-Air-Pollution-from-the-Destruction-of-Military-Equipment-The_Desk.pdf

Publications

URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/publications/

Mapping gaps and opportunities (Feb. 2024)

The present document precisely outlines gaps and opportunities in environmental citizen science and civic monitoring in war-torn Ukraine, maps actors within the field and provides an overview of frameworks to foster community engagement in environmental monitoring with an eye to post-war environmental recovery. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/publications/mapping-gaps-and-opportunities-wp2a1/

European HEIs, civil society and policymaking for community participation in environmental recovery in Ukraine through citizen science (16th Dec. 2024)

The publication “European HEIs, civil society and policymaking for community participation in environmental recovery in Ukraine through citizen science” brings to the fore insights and lessons learned about academia-civil society and policymaking collaboration for environmental justice in Ukraine, as expressed by participants during the GROMADA summer school and hackathon Challenges. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/publications/european-heis-civil-society/

The Handbook on the Legal Dimension of Environmental Harm Monitoring in War Contexts, with and by Conflict-Affected Communities (Dec. 2024)

The Handbook on the Legal Dimension of Environmental Harm Monitoring in War Contexts, with and by Conflict-Affected Communities is a key outcome of the GROMADA project, an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at supporting legal and public capacity for environmental recovery in Ukraine. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/handbook/

Synthesis of the Handbook on the Legal Dimension of Environmental Harm Monitoring in War Contexts, with and by Conflict-Affected Communities (Dec. 2024)

The GROMADA Synthesis summarises the main findings of the GROMADA Handbook, which explores two main areas: the legal frameworks protecting the environment during armed conflict and the role of civic environmental monitoring (CEM) and citizen science (CS) in gathering evidence for legal proceedings. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/synthesis/

Analysis of the digital and participatory dimensions of environmental citizen science in conflict-affected communities in Ukraine (Apr.2025)

This analysis brings to the fore the digital and participatory dimensions of environmental citizen science (CS) actions in war-torn Ukraine. Specifically, it showcases citizen-driven initiatives that map and monitor environmental damage caused by military action, with a focus on the role of digital technologies and the intensity of citizen participation in these initiatives in Ukraine. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/publications/analysis-of-the-digital-and-participatory-dimensions-of-environmental-citizen-science-in-conflict-affected-communities-in-ukraine-wp4a1/

Feasibility study: Legal Clinic Prototype (Jul. 2025)

The document discusses the feasibility of setting up and implementing small-scale legal clinics at High Education Institutions offering free and accessible legal advice to citizen science communities active in mapping and reporting environmental issues directly and/or indirectly associated with war, both in Ukraine and elsewhere. URL: https://gromada-erasmus.eu/publications/legal-clinic-prototype/

Final Conference in Copenhagen (October 24, 2025):

This event was a multidisciplinary discussion on the role of citizen-generated data and citizen science in environmental monitoring within conflict zones, with a particular focus on Ukraine after and during the Russian full-scale invasion. It brought together perspectives from academic institutions, civil society organisations, policymakers, and Ukrainian students to explore the legal and social dimensions of participatory research in this context.

The event brought together representatives from United Nations Environment Programme (@UNEP), the Registry of Damage for Ukraine (#RD4U), academics and students from across Europe, and NGOs working on citizen science and education in conflict zones.

At the conference, a group of ONU students from the Faculty of Economics and Law and the Faculty of Hydrometeorology and Ecology (Olexandra Velshinevska, Liliya Dyakova, Anna Zakhlevska, Anastasia Mokan, Maria Pryimak and Alina Skrypko) presented 8 student citizen-science initiatives implemented for the implementation of the project at ONU.

ONU was also represented by the institutional head of the project, Vice-Rector Andrii Smityukh, the project manager, professor of the Department of marketing and business administration Yuriy Grinchenko, Head of the Department of constitutional law and justice Tetyana Stepanova and associate professor of the Department of civil law disciplines Olena Tolkachenko, who took an active part in the implementation of the project.

The GROMADA project emphasizes the legal aspects of monitoring environmental damage during war, empowering conflict-affected communities. URL:

https://gromada-erasmus.eu/conference-environmental-citizen-science-in-conflict-zones-for-accountability-and-empowerment/

https://www.facebook.com/imo.onu.edu.ua/posts/pfbid02c6tvfkx3yfFwjtj9xAPosnMwFURNnpnqYRwNPYY7LmkWNtazLcjoV138siRmntJyl