From November 8–13, 2024, the project "Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic" was implemented in Olomouc (Czech Republic). The project was co-authored by Svitlana Voitaliuk, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Slavic Philology, and Andrii Diachuk, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Biological Education. The project was funded by the International Visegrad Fund, a donor organization established to promote regional cooperation in the Visegrad Region.
The International Visegrad Fund is an international donor organization founded in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—to promote regional cooperation within the Visegrad Region (V4), as well as between the V4 region and other countries, particularly in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions (Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova). The Fund fulfils its mission by financing projects, youth exchanges, and individual mobility programs such as scholarships and residencies. The project "Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic" received V4 Mini-grants—a program that promotes short-term international mobility for young people aged 12 to 30 within the Visegrad Region and Ukraine. The main condition for applying for the grant is the participation of at least two V4 organisations and one organisation from Ukraine. Together with a partner organisation, Ukrainian organisations can receive up to €10,000 for joint youth initiatives.
Participants in the project included students from the Department of Slavic Philology and the Department of Ecology and Biological Education of Khmelnytskyi National University, the Department of Slavistics at Palacký University Olomouc, and students from III Liceum Ogólnokształcące z Oddzialami Integracyjnymi im. K.K. Baczynskiego.
The opening ceremony took place at Palacký University, where organisers and representatives from Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic delivered welcoming speeches, and partner presentations were held, with each group presenting their university, city, and country.
Following the presentations, there was a quiz on country knowledge and a screening of a Polish film about the Warta Mouth National Park titled "Birds Around Us."
This was followed by a master class by Sofiia Semenchuk, a student (SOB-22), on "Methods of Bird Observation and Maintaining a Bird Diary."
The second day of the project began with an incredibly interesting excursion through the city of Olomouc.
In the Bezručovy sady park in Olomouc, data were collected on bird populations, their behaviour, and habitats.
After lunch and visiting the park to learn about common ornithological species of the participating countries, S. Iliinskyi gave a lecture. He spoke about common species, their biotopes, migration routes, and characteristic trophic chains for populations. He also discussed the work of ornithological schools in Ukraine, whose participants include students of Khmelnytskyi National University.
Then, there was a discussion of the collected data and analysis of the results, including an overview of modern methods for analysing bird data, outlining the importance and advantages of a common dictionary, and comparing monitoring data of common species from different countries.
The third day of the project began with a trip to Prague, where participants visited the National Museum. Additionally, project participants conducted research on waterfowl and riparian birds on the Vltava River and took part in a birdwatching master class using mobile applications – "BirdNet" and "Naturalist."
After the excursion in Prague, project participants met at the Faculty of Philology of Palacký University, where they discussed methods of bird identification, including prevalence, research methods, and bird protection, methods of bird banding, and listened to a lecture on the secret life of cranes.
To conclude the third day, the Polish partners organised a "Wieczór towarzyski" (social evening).
The fourth and final day of the project began at Palacký University, where Andrii Diachuk, Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology and Biological Education at KhNU, presented a report analysing a number of sustainable development indicators that were developed as part of the project research.
Participants also presented their own research and results. Groups presented their sections of the dictionary: https://sites.google.com/d/15rLE7H9wqe30qeRtR4TiQofIcp9RhaEF/p/1oeDyp0V32MBdLN8ud5QK7jT_Q6RKAT_I/edit
They also discussed next steps in joint ornithological research and opportunities for cooperation between the countries. The closing ceremony took place with the presentation of certificates to participants and thank-you notes to the organisers.
Student Feedback on Project Participation:
Daryna Zhyshchynska (group FPPA-23): «Participation in the project 'Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic' gave me a lot of new experience, including new acquaintances, language practice, new knowledge in ornithology, and, in fact, the creation of a joint dictionary.
I met new people from our university, as well as from educational institutions in Poland and the Czech Republic, and we had a great time. I really enjoyed the wieczór towarzyski, where we ate pizza and sang songs together. New acquaintances gave me the opportunity to practice the language, which I actively did, and being in a language environment and communicating with native speakers gave me new knowledge of Polish. Also, thanks to Ukrainians studying at Palacký University, I learned new words in Czech. I liked Palacký University, where we had lectures. I hope to visit it again someday. We also visited various interesting places in Olomouc and Prague. There was a great excursion in Olomouc, thanks to which we learned about the city’s history and its cultural monuments. I really liked the National Museum in Prague; it was very informative. Overall, we made the most of these days; it was a very pleasant experience and many memories. The atmosphere on this project was very cool and comfortable. I thank the organisers and all participants for these unforgettable days!».
Anna Mazurek (group FPPA-24): "I am thrilled with the trip to the Czech Republic organized by Svitlana Voitaliuk. It was a unique experience that gave me a lot of impressions, positive emotions, and greatly enriched my knowledge.
This is my first trip abroad with the university, and first of all, I liked the organisation, which was at the highest level. We visited Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, feeling the incredible atmosphere of the Middle Ages. We also had the opportunity to learn more historical facts about the streets and buildings of Prague.
I especially remember the warm and friendly atmosphere. Czech and Polish colleagues were welcoming and open to communication. This trip also contributed to improving my English and Polish language skills, and even a small study of ornithology, as the trip was aimed at analysing and researching common bird species.
Overall, this trip was not only an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge but also inspired me to new achievements. I returned home full of inspiration, ideas, and gratitude for this wonderful experience."
Anna Kucherniuk (group FPPA-24): "First of all, I want to thank everyone for such a wonderful trip. Special thanks to Ms. Svitlana for organising and taking care of us in another country.
The journey there was not very comfortable due to the carriers. We were delayed and no longer had time to follow the program. So immediately upon arrival, we went to lunch and then to lectures; it was just okay, honestly. The next day we had a very tasty breakfast and a walk around the city; these were wonderful emotions. I also attended lectures where I learned a lot of new things about birds. On Monday, we had an excursion in Prague. These were unforgettable emotions, but we only had 5 hours, so it wasn’t enough to see everything.
Well, on Tuesday, we had breakfast again, gathered for lectures, and had our last walk around the city. In the evening, the bus was already there, and we set off for home.
This trip will be remembered for a long time. And we continue working on creating the dictionary."
Sofiia Semenchuk (гр. СОБ-22): "The project 'Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic,' in which I participated, was an incredibly interesting and useful experience. The project took place in Olomouc (Czech Republic) and was a great opportunity to deepen knowledge in ornithology and cultural studies.
One of the important aspects of the program was the excursions. We visited both the historical Olomouc and the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague. This allowed us not only to better understand the ornithological situation in the region but also to immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the Czech Republic. The accommodation at the hotel was comfortable. Проживання в готелі було комфортним.
Overall, this project was an unforgettable experience that not only expanded my knowledge in ornithology but also allowed me to make new acquaintances and learn more about the culture of the Czech Republic."
Anastasiia Khaletska (group SOP-21)The internship that took place in the Czech Republic left extremely pleasant and valuable impressions. We had a wonderful opportunity to work on a unique ornithological project – compiling the first Czech-Polish-Ukrainian dictionary based on bird research. We collaborated with colleagues from Poland, which allowed us not only to delve deeper into research but also better to understand the specifics of Polish culture and scientific approaches. This significantly broadened our horizons and contributed to establishing professional connections.
In addition to scientific work, we were lucky to visit Prague – one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Walking through historical streets, familiarisation with architectural monuments, and the unique atmosphere of the city became an ideal culmination of this rich and productive internship.
This experience not only enriched us with new knowledge but also gave us the opportunity to feel part of an international scientific community, open to cooperation and cultural exchange.”
Mariana Tkachuk (group ECOL-23): "The program 'Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic' greatly influenced me. I have wonderful impressions because I learned more about Olomouc. I enjoyed the lectures at the university. I heard many interesting things, learned more about the culture and birds of the Czech Republic and Poland. Everything was wonderful!"
Karina Vizovska (group FPPA-23): "Participation in the project 'Study of common ornithological species of Ukraine, Poland and Czech Republic' has become a valuable and unforgettable experience for me. As a Polish philologist, I received a unique opportunity to combine my knowledge with a new field for me – ornithology. Working on creating an ornithological dictionary of common bird species in Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic became an important part of my participation in the project. This allowed me to look at my profession in a new way and understand how useful cooperation between different disciplines can be.
The organised excursions in Olomouc and Prague were particularly interesting. It was my first time in these cities, and it was extremely interesting for me to learn about their rich history. Olomouc, with its unique architecture and cultural heritage, made a deep impression on me, and the historical excursion allowed me to delve into the past of this ancient city, discover its unique atmosphere, and learn more about the connection between culture and nature. Visiting the National Museum in Prague was a real discovery for me. The museum’s collection and exhibitions dedicated to nature made it possible to see how important the work of preserving for future generations and studying living species is.
The project was extremely well organised, and I am grateful to the organisers for such a wonderful opportunity. In addition to the cognitive experience, it was also an opportunity to establish contacts with representatives from other countries and exchange knowledge and experience in an intercultural environment. Personally, it was valuable not only to expand professional horizons but also for personal development, as I learned to work more in a team, studied specific terminology useful for my professional growth, and felt part of a large international community. This project inspired me for further development, and I very much hope for the opportunity to participate in similar initiatives in the future."
Nadiia Koval (group ECOL-22): "The project 'Study of Common Ornithological Species of Ukraine, Poland, and Czech Republic' was a wonderful opportunity for me to combine learning, research, and exchange. We began our journey in Olomouc, where we had lectures and practical classes at the university, and also had the opportunity to take an exciting excursion to Prague.
In addition to theoretical lectures, we conducted bird surveys in natural conditions, which allowed us to reinforce the knowledge and skills gained in practice. Joint research and observations united us, and I made new friends and also learned a lot about approaches to studying nature in these countries. This project became an unforgettable part of my studies and inspired me for further research in ornithology!"
Hanna Kotowska (nauczycielka z Polsks): «Projekt, w którym uczestniczyłam zapamiętam na długo. To cudowna nowa przygoda, która mnie rozwinęła. Poznałam wielu wspaniałych ludzi. Poprzez rozmowę i uczestniczenie w prezentacjach, przekazałam moim nowym znajomym, informacje o moim kraju oraz szkole. Zwiedzałam Piękne Miasta Czech oraz próbowałam pysznych potraw Czeskich. Miałam możliwość też uczestniczyć w wideokonferencji na temat ptaków. Bardzo mi się podobał ten projekt. Mam nadzieję że kiedyś jeszcze się wszyscy spotkamy».
On behalf of the students of Khmelnytskyi National University and the students of II Liceum Ogólnokształcące z Oddzialami Integracyjnymi im. K. K. Baczynskiego, we want to express our sincere gratitude to the organisers – students of Palacký University Olomouc and Uliana Kholodova – for the warm welcome and excellent organisation of the project "Study of Common Ornithological Species of Ukraine, Poland, and Czech Republic." Your hospitality, professionalism, and dedication made this project not only possible but also extremely successful. We appreciate your efforts and look forward to further cooperation. Thank you for your support and inspiration! And most importantly, the project participants formed a program of joint strategic research, exchange of monitoring and accounting results of ornithological species to achieve sustainable development goals in the surveyed territories.