CLUVEX - Climate University for Virtual Exchanges

Climate University for Virtual Exchanges (CLUVEX; https://www.atm.helsinki.fi/cluvex; 1 Jul 2023 – 30 Jun 2026) is a 3-year project conducted by two European Erasmus+ program countries Finland (UHEL) as the coordinator and Denmark (UCPH), and the Neighbourhood East countries - Ukraine (OSENU and TSNUK) and Armenia (YSU). Additionally, an art-and-science non-profit association, the BioArt Society (https://bioartsociety.fi), based in Finland, collaborates in this initiative.

CLUVEX aims to connect students from European and Neighbourhood East universities and involve them in climate-related topics, including ideas for adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change and advancing the green agenda. Moreover, CLUVEX emphasizes the development of interdisciplinary, green, and soft skills among students. In practice, CLUVEX is responsible for designing and organizing a series of interactive online training events known as "Virtual Exchanges" (VE). These VEs are structured to include educational materials and engage students, professors, teachers, and researchers collaboratively in small groups. During the project, a total of 5 VE Calls will be initiated, spanning both the Spring and Autumn semesters and starting from Autumn 2024. Each VE Call will extend invitations to 500 students from CLUVEX Universities and other institutions in European and Neighbourhood East countries to participate in VE training weeks. The main motivation is to cultivate a new generation of young Climate Messengers who possess the skills and knowledge to foster climate awareness and sustainability strategies within their home organizations and future professional endeavours.

During VE week, various activities will take place, including plenary sessions, discussions, and exercises focused on specific climate change topics within smaller groups. CLUVEX is rooted in atmospheric sciences research and builds from the Climate University (https://climateuniversity.fi). The goal is that after participating in VE, participants will gain a deeper understanding of climate-related issues and foster meaningful connections with their peers. Note, CLUVEX also leverages its networks - Una Europa (alliance of 11 European universities) and the WMO’s Global Campus initiative in Europe and Neighbourhood East, to attract a diverse array of participants.

During first year of the project, the CLUVEX Partners are focused on designing the VE concept and exercises, training VE moderators/ facilitators, conducting a study to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with online learning and communication. As an exciting innovation, the BioArt Society will bring artistic perspectives by offering VE lectures and creative exercises that explore how contemporary art contributes to public discourse on climate change.

VE cooperation will serve as a valuable complement to traditional physical mobility opportunities in the field of climate change research. CLUVEX plays a vital role in addressing the complex web of decisions and issues related to climate change, where the Neighbourhood East region holds also significant position on a global scale. The emergence of new Climate Messengers, equipped with expertise in climate awareness and sustainability strategies, is highly relevant in today's labour markets. These individuals are well-positioned to contribute to the critical work of advancing climate-related initiatives in a world undergoing transformative changes.

This work is supported by the European Union ERASMUS+,  Project Number: 101111959