On April 1–2, 2026, the First All-Ukrainian Student Forum “Cities of the Brave” took place in Chernivtsi at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. The event brought together young people from different regions of Ukraine around the idea of developing city brands in the context of modern challenges.
SNAU was represented at the forum by a team of students led by Nataliia Makarenko, Head of the Department of Marketing and Logistics, and Professor Viktoriia Makarova. The team included Andrii Makarenko, Maryna Shapoval, Vladyslav Viazankin, Anastasiia Prykhodska (majoring in Marketing), as well as Denys Trypolskyi (majoring in Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Exchange Activities).
As part of the forum, participants presented concepts for developing cities as living brands shaped by identity, cultural characteristics and community engagement. The SNAU team represented Sumy city, revealing its unique identity and potential.
Following the results of the City Brand Battle, SNAU students won the final in the nomination “Bold Solution”, received a diploma for creativity, and also won the Audience Choice Award “The Team Everyone Liked.”
The atmosphere of the event was enriched by presentations of local products and creative performances by teams. The forum’s motto — “Brave cities are created by brave people” — emphasized the role of youth in shaping the modern image of Ukrainian cities even in challenging times.
The event also attracted the attention of regional media. A local television report highlighted the participation of SNAU representatives and their success at the forum: https://youtu.be/qLzBv9cLG38
The participation and victory of Sumy National Agrarian University students in the All-Ukrainian forum demonstrate the high level of their training, creativity, and ability to develop modern approaches to territorial development, which is an important component of the university’s integration into the national educational and professional area.
