October 23, 2026: Project Progress Meeting 12
On October 23, 2026, Project Progress Meeting No. 12 was organized by the leading institution, UJEP. The meeting reviewed the results of the second period of activities under Milestone 5 (May–September 2026).
The meeting was held in a hybrid format. The team from the leading institution, UJEP, participated in person, while members of the other teams (TVHNPU, NULP, NULES, RMC, and KazNU) joined remotely. In total, 17 participants attended the meeting: five UJEP team members in person and 12 participants online.
Prof. Pidlisnyuk, NPD, opened the meeting and informed participants about the further actions required for the successful implementation of the project. She outlined the current priorities, particularly the monitoring of soil carbon at research Miscanthus × giganteus plantations in Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Prof. Pidlisnyuk also reported on a dissemination event held in the Czech Republic on October 12, 2026. The event consisted of training on the potential application of advanced M×g phytotechnology for brownfield remediation. It was organized in cooperation with the RUR project (Region for University, University for Region), a strategic project funded under the EU Just Transition Operational Programme for targeted local government officials and professionals from the Ústí Region.
Prof. Pidlisnyuk, NPD informed participants that the planned final Training 4 on Advanced M×g Phytotechnology for Climate Change Mitigation would be relocated from Ukraine to the Czech Republic due to the extremely unsafe conditions in Kyiv, where the training had originally been scheduled. Training 4 is now scheduled to take place in Chomutov, Czech Republic, on March 3–4, 2027. The programme will include training sessions on the first day and a field trip to the research plantations in the vicinity of Chomutov on the second day.
The project accountant, Mrs. Ludmila Lacková, informed participants about the current budget status and stressed the importance of accurate financial reporting, including the requirement to provide all mandatory details on receipts and supporting documents.
The G6094 Co-Directors reported on their research activities and achievements during the second reporting period of Milestone 5. Specifically, PPD Dr. Andriy Hertz reported on the completion of a two-year laboratory experiment investigating M×g phytotechnology supported by biochar for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. He also presented preliminary data from soil carbon measurements at the Dolyna plantation. The results clearly illustrated the contribution of Miscanthus cultivation to soil carbon accumulation. This research was conducted in cooperation with LPNU, and the assessment will be further developed in 2027.
Co-Director Vitalii Stadnik reported on ongoing efforts to repair the purchased C, N, H, and S analyzer. He indicated January 2027 as the target date for resuming the analysis of soil samples for these parameters, subject to successful completion of the repairs.
Co-Director Mariya Marinova presented recent results obtained with the assistance of two RMC students during the summer semester, i.e.: Ghada Tayachi, Ecole Nationale d’Ingenieurs de Gafsa and Yasmile Jebali, Institut National des Sciences Appliquees et de Technologie. The research focused on the valorisation of biogas-related resources, and the findings are intended to be presented in two forthcoming manuscripts. The possibility of organizing additional training on the valorisation of pyrolysis products, through cooperation between RMC and the NATO Information Centre in Canada, was also discussed.
Co-Director Tatyana Stefanovska presented results on changes in soil health under Miscanthus plantations in Vorzel, Ukraine, assessed using nematodes. This work forms part of the PhD research conducted by Anastasiya Husieva, a newly appointed member of the NULES team. She also informed participants about the visit to the Miscanthus plantation in Vorzel by French journalist Pia de Gouvello and the publication of an article about the research in the French media outlet Reporterre. In addition, participants were informed about the forthcoming meeting of the Phytotechnology HUB, scheduled to take place in Ukraine on October 29, 2026 in Ukrainian language.
Prof. Pidlisnyuk emphasized the importance of producing a second film about the project for presentation during Training 4. Co-Director Vitalii Stadnik (LPNU) was designated as the person responsible for this activity.
In conclusion, NPD Prof. Pidlisnyuk encouraged participants to strengthen the evaluation and interpretation of the research data already obtained. She also announced that the next Project Progress Meeting (PP No. 13) would take place in January 2027, with January 16, 2027, proposed as the meeting date.
