March 2, 2026
VITAL Kick-off Meeting in Tbilisi lays the foundations
Hosted by Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy on February 23-26, 2026, the Kick-off Meeting set the work plan, governance and strategy for the three years ahead.
EU project 101253516 · Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange
Virtual Innovation andTraining for Advancing Faculty Leaders,Digital Competencies, and Research Excellence
VITAL empowers early-career lecturers and researchers in Georgia and Ukraine to become leaders capable of guiding their institutions towards excellence in the digital age.
What is VITAL?
A bridge between the European Union and its eastern partners
VITAL is a strategic training initiative funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange programme.
More than a training programme, VITAL builds a sustainable and scalable model for academic staff development - combining mentoring, digital pedagogy and research capacity-building for early-career faculty, grounded in inclusion, virtual collaboration, intercultural dialogue and academic integrity.
Why VITAL?
The challenges we address
Universities in Georgia and Ukraine face unique structural challenges. VITAL provides a framework that enables academics not only to survive in these environments - but to thrive and lead change.
Missing mentoring
Young lecturers often lack formal mentoring programmes and structured career support at their institutions.
Hierarchical governance
Rigid governance systems limit the professional development and initiative of early-career academics.
Underfunded research
Investment in research is significantly lower than the European average, holding back scientific careers.
Conflict context
The regional context of conflict has made virtual teaching and collaboration tools critical for continuity.
Our approach
Four strategic pillars
01
Academic Leadership & Career Development
Strengthening the management and decision-making skills of early-career teachers, preparing them for institutional leadership roles through innovative mentoring models.
02
Digital Skills & Pedagogy
Implementing virtual exchange and artificial intelligence applied to education, enabling classrooms to become spaces for global collaboration without borders.
03
Excellence in Research
Fostering research capacity through the creation of international networks, enabling local science to have a global impact.
04
Reinforcing European Values
Promoting academic freedom, integrity, transparency and inclusion - aligning institutional growth with European democratic standards.
Methodology
How VITAL works
A phased model based on co-creation, participation and contextual adaptation.
Identify needs
Institutional gap assessments and regional needs analysis across Georgian and Ukrainian HEIs.
Co-design
Competency frameworks, mentoring and training models co-created by all partners.
Train & mentor
Leadership, digital pedagogy and research training with peer mentorship at its core.
Refine
Tools improved continuously from participant and user feedback.
Embed & sustain
Outputs integrated into partner universities' formal structures and policies.
At a glance
One project, six institutions, four countries
6Consortium partners
4Countries
5Work packages
36Months (2026-2029)
17Deliverables
News
All news & events
Latest updates
February 16, 2026
A consortium of excellence: six institutions, four countries
Meet the six VITAL partners from Spain, Italy, Georgia and Ukraine, coordinated by the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
February 2, 2026
The VITAL project begins: transforming academic careers in Georgia and Ukraine
The EU-funded VITAL project launches its three-year mission to empower early-career faculty in Georgia and Ukraine through leadership, digital pedagogy and research training.
What we are building
Tools that will endure beyond the project
VITAL Hub
A digital platform serving as a permanent resource centre, course platform and networking hub for academics.
Scalable Mentoring Model
A proven peer-support system connecting European experts with emerging talent in Georgia and Ukraine.
Leadership Competency Framework
A standard defining the skills required of 21st-century university leaders.
Policy Recommendations
Strategic guidelines enabling education authorities to institutionalise improvements at national level.
European added value
Co-creation across borders, built to last
VITAL is based on co-creation, shared responsibility and mutual learning: every partner contributes scientific knowledge, institutional experience, networks and training capacity. By prioritising virtual exchange over unnecessary travel, the consortium also reduces its carbon footprint while maximising global connectivity.
Meet the consortium