On 29-30 August 2026, the second edition of the “City with Meaning” (Misto zi Zmistom) Festival took place in Chernihiv, bringing together civil society representatives, academia, local authorities, youth, artists, makers, small business owners and local residents.
Organised by the local NGO Eco City Chernihiv, the festival focused on four key themes: urbanism, safety, inclusiveness and climate resilience. The two-day event took place outdoors at the site of a former cinema, which the Eco City team is working to revitalise into the Peremoha Center, a space for innovation and community interaction.
The festival provided a space for dialogue, learning and practical action around the future of Chernihiv.
Discussing climate neutrality and resilient recovery
As part of the festival’s lecture programme, SUN4Ukraine was presented to participants, with representatives of the Chernihiv City Council taking part in the discussions.
An open dialogue was held with Roman Movchan and Olena Stelmakh from Chernihiv City Council, who coordinate Chernihiv’s participation in the SUN4Ukraine project. Anastasiia Ivashyna from the NGO Ecoaction also presented the goals of SUN4Ukraine, highlighting the importance of climate neutrality for cities and for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
Anastasiia Ivashyna from Ecoaction presented the goals of SUN4Ukraine
The discussion took place in an informal setting under the trees, with participants engaging actively in the conversation. University students and makers in particular asked questions about climate-resilient recovery and the role of cities in addressing these challenges.
The session formed part of the festival’s wider programme of activities dedicated to discussing how Chernihiv can become a safer, more accessible and climate-resilient city.
Yulia Kosheleva from the NGO 'Building Ukraine Together' presented the principles of inclusive urban recreational areas.
Turning ideas into practical action
The festival also included hands-on activities focused on the regeneration of the area around the former cinema.
Participants worked on the garden surrounding the site, which provides a practical example of a Nature-based Solution (NbS). During the festival, new climate-resilient plants were added to the garden.
Planting climate-resilient plants during the gardening workshop.
Another key activity was an architectural workshop dedicated to transforming the entrance to the shelter at the Peremoha Center into a more attractive and functional public space.
The workshop was part of the festival’s focus on “safety porches”: small-scale architectural solutions intended to make shelters more accessible, comfortable and safe. Participants built raised plant beds by hand and planted resilient perennials, incorporating Nature-based Solutions into the space.
The renewed area can serve children and visitors while also encouraging community members to use the shelter during air raid alerts. In this way, the intervention combines the practical need for safe shelter spaces with efforts to improve the surrounding public environment.
A festival focused on the future of Chernihiv
Participants of the closing festival sessions.
Alongside the SUN4Ukraine sessions and architectural workshop, the “City with Meaning” programme included community gardening activities, discussions, and a music programme.
By bringing together local authorities, civil society, academia, young people, makers and residents, the festival created a space to discuss and work on issues directly connected to Chernihiv’s urban environment.
For SUN4Ukraine, participation in the festival provided an opportunity to present the project’s objectives and discuss climate neutrality and climate-resilient recovery with members of the local community, while connecting these discussions with practical activities taking place in the city.