Central Asian Universities Join Forces at Constructor University Kick-Off for EU-backed sustainability push
A new European Union initiative is putting universities at the center of the climate action agenda in Central Asia – and it’s starting in Bremen. On May 12–13, Constructor University will host the launch workshop of the EU Green Deal Initiative for Central Asian Universities (GDCAU), a groundbreaking collaboration between 13 universities from Europe and Central Asia to drive sustainable innovation, curriculum reform, and green leadership in higher education.
Funded by the EU under the Erasmus+ program, the three-year project will create a shared roadmap for aligning university strategies with the EU’s ambitious goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. With participants from Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the initiative represents a major step toward building a unified, cross-border response to the climate crisis – led by higher education.
The aim of the meeting is to develop and finalize a three-year roadmap for the implementation of measures in line with the Green Deal; university-specific activities will also be discussed. As a hub for knowledge exchange, research and education, GDCAU aims to strengthen the universities' ability to develop and implement strategies that are in line with the ideas of the Green Deal. The European Union wants to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and thus become the first climate neutral continent. This also requires the support of partners from outside the EU.
Four core work packages to drive long-term impact
At the heart of the initiative are four key pillars, through which the long-term viability of the project can be secured. These include the creation of a Green Deal Centre to serve as a regional hub for cutting-edge research, education, innovation, and public engagement on sustainability issues. Curricula at Central Asian partner universities will be updated to reflect the latest in sustainable and regenerative development, including the co-creation of a new joint Master's degree program. In parallel, the project will strengthen cooperation between academia, industry, governments, and civil society, while expanding networks that elevate the visibility and influence of the Green Deal across Central Asia.
The kick-off workshop is expected to host more than 60 participants, including speakers, researchers, and institutional leaders. The event will be formally opened by Professor Thomas auf der Heyde, Vice President for International Outreach & Public Engagement at Constructor University, underscoring the university's leadership role in fostering international collaboration and advancing global sustainability goals.
For Constructor University, GDCAU is more than just a coordination project – it is a strategic initiative that reflects its mission to be a catalyst for global transformation through education and research. Under the leadership of Professor Isak Frumin, Head of the Higher Education Observatory, the university is leveraging its international network and academic expertise to champion cross-border partnerships that respond to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: the climate crisis. The workshop marks the first of four high-level meetings planned, setting the stage for a dynamic collaboration that will extend well beyond the project's duration.
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