Led by the Slovak University of Technology to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery and advance project management education, the DREAMER (Development and Reconstruction Empowerment through Advanced Project Management Education and Research) project brings together universities from six countries to develop open-access, bilingual courses covering core project management and digital tools. The consortium emphasizes mutual knowledge exchange, hands-on learning with tools like Oracle Primavera, and real-world case studies. Its collaborative, adaptive approach prepares students, teachers, and professionals across Europe for reconstruction challenges and sustainable development, while making all resources freely available for global educational use.
Webinar introduces project
On November 27, 2025, university lecturers and industry professionals from across the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) gathered online for a webinar introducing the DREAMER project—an ambitious, EU-funded venture dedicated to empowering Ukraine’s post-war recovery and reshaping project management education for a new era. The event was not just another announcement of university cooperation but a meaningful example of international solidarity, digital innovation, and practical action for regional development and reconstruction.
The project emerged at a time of exceptional hardship and determination for Ukraine. With war leaving infrastructural damages estimated at over $170 billion, the need for skilled project managers—capable of handling the logistics, funding, and complexity of large, urgent rebuilding projects—has never been more critical. Coordinated by the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and involving higher education institutions from Slovakia, Ukraine, Croatia, Ireland, Poland, and Romania, the project was conceived from a deep recognition: Ukraine’s path to EU integration and sustainable development would hinge on a new generation, educated not only in project management theory but also in the digital and green competences essential to modern Europe.
But DREAMER’s vision exceeded a one-way knowledge flow from West to East. Ukrainian institutions, deeply experienced in working under crisis and volatility, contribute hard-earned lessons about operating in turbulent times. This cross-border, multidirectional exchange of expertise—amplified by the involvement of Oracle Academy, the Project Management Institute (PMI), and PM² Alliance—places collaboration and mutual respect at the project’s core.
Project management skills help rebuild communities
At its heart, the project is about providing meaningful skills and resources to those who will literally rebuild communities: students, teachers, and professionals. The centerpiece of the project is the development of nine modular courses covering the key dimensions of project management, from the basics and best practices to the challenges of EU-funded initiatives and digital transformation. Unlike many academic projects, these modules are intentionally open-access, multilingual (in English and in Ukrainian), and flexible enough to be adopted either wholesale or in parts by institutions or self-learners.
The courses will incorporate not just theory, but also hands-on training with industry-leading PM tools such as Oracle Primavera—essential for planning, scheduling, and monitoring large-scale construction or infrastructure projects. The curriculum will also include best-practice methodologies like PM² (supported by the European Union), which is freely accessible and increasingly recognized in international project management. Case studies will feature prominently, giving students and teachers direct exposure to real-world challenges and practical solutions.
A particular strength of the DREAMER project lies in its dual focus: while it prepares Ukrainian students and practitioners for the upcoming wave of recovery investment and EU accession funds, it also provides EU partners and teachers with insights into managing projects under uncertainty, extracting lessons equally useful for other regions facing crisis or rapid change.
Established universities and partners collaborate for common good
As is the case with all EU-funded Erasmus+ projects, DREAMER is a joint effort of academic institutions from across Europe. Its consortium is remarkable for both its breadth and depth, featuring well-established universities from six countries, with each partner boasting its own network, strengths, and histories. The Slovak University of Technology leads with advanced research in digital transformation and urban planning. Zagreb School of Economics and Management and Kozminski University contribute globally recognized business and management education, with deep experience in accreditation and curricular innovation. Irish representation, from Southeast Technological University, brings to the table a model of transformative, EU-driven development, drawing on Ireland’s own journey from peripheral status to economic powerhouse within the Union. The inclusion of the leading construction and technical universities from Ukraine ensures local relevance and robust technical expertise, while Politehnica University of Bucharest offers established excellence in engineering, research, and industry links from a recognized IT-powerhouse in Eastern Europe.
Far from being an isolated academic exercise, DREAMER is directly connected to real-world challenges and institutions. Project partners participate in wide-ranging activities, from faculty development workshops to site visits at major infrastructure undertakings, such as the National Children’s Hospital in Dublin and large-scale revitalization projects in Polish cities. These experiences help ground the learning materials, fostering a perspective that is simultaneously European and pragmatic.
First year of project shows impressive progress
The first year of project implementation saw impressive progress. Projects of this scale often move slowly, but DREAMER’s milestones are tangible: the syllabuses for each module were developed and reviewed in collaboration, quality-checked across borders, and shared widely with stakeholders. Faculty workshops, integrating perspectives from PM² Alliance, PMI, and Oracle experts, ensured everyone was up to speed not just on content, but also on pedagogical best practice and cross-cultural delivery.
International study visits allowed participants to witness and analyze best-practice project management and infrastructure development firsthand, gaining insights into both technical and managerial challenges. Regular meetings and an active online presence—including a project website and social media activity—maintain the project’s energy, foster a sense of community, and keep progress transparent for a global audience.
Materials to be released under open access, free of charge
Looking forward, DREAMER aims to make its networks, knowledge, and resources accessible beyond the immediate partners. All materials, from core modules to the handbook of case studies, will be released under open licenses to maximize outreach. Educators around the world, whether in Ukraine, the EU, or elsewhere, will be able to use, adapt, and share these resources.
Upcoming milestones include the piloting and refinement of modules, the publication of academic papers and dissemination articles, and the hosting of online and in-person workshops for both higher ed and secondary school audiences. Perhaps most significantly, the project will conclude with targeted training for individuals in Ukraine directly affected by war—ensuring the project’s impact is not only academic but deeply human.
At a time when the world faces converging crises—from war and displacement to economic transition and environmental challenges—the DREAMER project offers a hopeful blueprint. By forging strong, respectful international partnerships and centering on practical, open, and adaptive learning, this project not only supports Ukraine’s recovery, but also models the kind of resilient, forward-thinking education that Europe and the world increasingly need. As results are disseminated and new collaborations form, DREAMER’s vision of widespread, modern, and accessible project management education is set to leave a lasting impact well beyond the borders of its consortium.
For the latest updates and open resources, stakeholders and educators are encouraged to visit the DREAMER website and connect with the project’s international community online, while the webinar recording can be accessed here.