StormCompetence – Strengthening researchers’ competencies on stormwater management (2023-2025)

The aim of the project “StormCompetence - Strengthening researchers’ professional competencies on stormwater management for renovation of UA city infrastructure in the post-war time” is to support a new generation of Ukrainian doctoral students and younger researchers working in stormwater management with focus on stormwater quality and treatment.

Stormwater research in Ukraine has been focusing on quantity and treatment aspects for many years. However, after the outbreak of active war actions in 2022, research activities can hardly be carried out nor can results be implemented. PhD students are conducting sampling campaigns and performing analyses in a very stressful environment. Moreover, young researchers have problems with access to research infrastructure. Due to shelling and bombing, the Kharkiv urban infrastructure was partly damaged and needs to be renovated or rebuilt in post-war time.

Being a world leader in stormwater research, the Urban Water Engineering group at Luleå University of Technology will provide support, share knowledge, and perform joint research with Ukrainian PhD students and young researchers working at O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The scientific focus of the StormCompetence project will be on stormwater quantity and treatment. Two study visits will be arranged in order to jointly perform sampling campaigns, data collection and analysis. It is also planned to write several publications together. Based on the project results, recommendations for rebuilding or renovating Ukrainian stormwater infrastructure and introduction of advanced techniques for routine stormwater management practices for municipalities will be developed. Thus, networking and joint research will contribute to training of a new generation of stormwater specialists in Ukraine who dispose of the necessary knowledge of advanced methods and techniques for stormwater management.

This project is financed by the Swedish Institute and carried out together with O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Read more about them here and the project here.

Project time: 2023 – 2025.

News within the project

Older news within the project

29 October 2025 was the Final Conference on the StormCompetence project

Program pdf, 239.6 kB.

24-28 August 2025 we had the pleasure of welcoming our Ukrainian partners from O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv – Prof. Valentyna Iurchenko and Assoc. Prof. Oksana Melnikova.

Their visit was filled with inspiring discussions and collaborative exploration. They visited field sites to showcase stormwater sensors and samplers in action, as well as various Blue-and-Green Infrastructure sites in Luleå. One day in the lab offered valuable insights into the research infrastructure and sparked engaging conversations around her bioreactor experiments.

It was a week of knowledge exchange, new ideas, and strengthened partnerships. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate!

23-26 June 2025 we were a part of the 7th IWA International Conference on eco-Technologies for Wastewater Treatment (ecoSTP2025 - International Water Association, 2025), hosted by KTH Royal Institute of Technology in beautiful Stockholm! Our colleagues from O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv: Valentyna Iurchenko, Oksana Melnikova, and Iryna Avdiienko - had a few exciting days filled with insightful presentations, networking opportunities, and meaningful discussions.

We proudly presented three posters at the conference describing research on wastewater treatment and management.

This inspiring event brings together researchers, technology providers, consultants, utilities, and other key stakeholders to explore cutting-edge solutions for a Water-Wise World. International conferences like ecoSTP2025 are a fantastic opportunity to step outside the academic bubble, exchange ideas, and return home full of motivation and fresh insights.

The ecoSTP2025 conference

3-22 March 2025 Iryna Avdiienko, PhD student from O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv had her second visit to Luleå University of Technology, and it was a remarkable experience filled with learning, collaboration, and innovation:

• Course Participation: Iryna actively participated in the Life Cycle Analysis for Sustainable Water Systems course, where she developed the first part of an LCA study focusing on greenhouse gas emissions in biological wastewater treatment technologies. This valuable work will be incorporated into her dissertation.
• Research Collaboration: she conducted an in-depth analysis of blackwater from a bioreactor and its effluent to assess nitrification efficiency. The data obtained will be further processed to gain deeper insights into nitrogen removal dynamics and nitrous oxide emissions.
• Stormwater Treatment Discussions: Iryna engaged with researchers working on stormwater treatment technologies, discussing modern methods for removing heavy metals, PFAS, and organic compounds from stormwater.
• Creaternity Impact Days: Iryna attended Creaternity - Sustainable Production at Luleå University of Technology, exploring the latest advancements in sustainable water management, circular economy solutions, and interdisciplinary research.

Iryna's visit has been a significant step forward in her research journey, contributing to the broader goals of the StormCompetence project.

During 2-16 November 2024 Iryna Avdiienko, PhD student from O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine, visited Luleå University of Technology in the framework of the project “StormCompetence - Strengthening researchers’ competencies on stormwater management”, financed by the Swedish Institute.

Her two weeks stay was full of activities: field trips, work in the laboratory, meetings, discussions and presentations at two seminars. During the study visit, Iryna participated in starting up a bioreactor for nitrification of blackwater digestate and received knowledge and skills on sampling methods, procedures and equipment, best practices for wastewater treatment in small (compact) treatment facilities installed for one household.

At a lunch seminar, she presented her research as well as her research group. She also attended a PhD course on “Problem-based study in Urban Water Engineering” and received a certificate that will be recognized at her home university.

Sharing knowledge on the best practices in stormwater and wastewater treatment and management as well as providing access to research infrastructure are key aims of the StormCompetence project. A new generation of Ukrainian young researchers will be able to use advanced knowledge for the reconstruction of urban infrastructure damaged during the war time.