The project is led by the Pannon European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (Pannon EGTC) and supported by the Visegrad Fund.

The document aims to showcase exemplary environmental practices applied by universities, supporting institutional and mindset change towards a green transition across the region. It offers not only inspiration but also practical solutions for universities, municipalities, and civil organisations seeking to operate more sustainably.

Among many examples, the University of Pécs has introduced an internal reuse platform for furniture and equipment, giving a second life to items no longer needed. J. Selye University invested in significant energy efficiency upgrades, including the installation of LED lighting, heat pumps, and solar panels, along with a monitoring system to track energy use and improve performance.

Masaryk University in the Czech Republic now sources 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, while the University of Montenegro has implemented large-scale upgrades to heating systems and solar power infrastructure to reduce emissions.

In campus catering, the Jagiellonian University has introduced a ban on single-use food packaging, and Masaryk University offers plant-based menus and encourages students to bring reusable containers.

Sustainable mobility is also a priority: the University of Pécs promotes cycling through free bicycle rental and awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, water management and biodiversity protection are highlighted by Masaryk University’s green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems, and by tree-planting initiatives and a sustainability centre at the University of Sarajevo.

Each chapter of the publication covers a different dimension of green university development — from strategy to operations and community engagement. It serves not only as a collection of case studies but as a practical guide for institutions committed to climate-conscious transformation.

The Best Practice Repository is available for download here.

The project is co-financed by the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia through the Visegrad Grants program of the International Visegrad Fund. The fund’s mission is to promote ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.