SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Our Contribution to SDG 17

The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SUA) advances sustainable development through international academic partnerships, cooperation with public authorities, research networks and engagement with businesses and civil society. The university connects education and scientific knowledge with regional needs and international challenges, particularly in agriculture, food systems, environmental protection and rural development.

SUA participates in European university alliances and collaborative research projects that support joint innovation, knowledge exchange and the practical implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Research and Innovation

International collaboration is an integral part of SUA's research activities. Through Horizon Europe and other programmes, the university works with research institutions, businesses, farmers and public-sector stakeholders on sustainable land use, climate-smart agriculture, nutrient management, biodiversity and regional resilience.

Projects including EUROPE-LAND, NENUPHAR, WATERGRID and ClimateSmartResearch address challenges that require cooperation across national and institutional boundaries. Their approaches range from shared environmental indicators and monitoring methods to nature-based water management and the development of climate-smart farming practices.

Research partnerships also support the exchange of scientific expertise and provide opportunities to translate research findings into practical recommendations and tools.

Education and Student Engagement

SUA supports international learning, student and staff mobility, joint educational activities and capacity building through the INVEST European University Alliance and other cooperation frameworks. These initiatives promote interdisciplinary learning, innovation and the exchange of practices related to sustainable development.

In the academic year 2025/2026, the university identified 268 sustainability-related courses across 59 study programmes. The range of subjects reflects the contribution of different academic disciplines to interconnected environmental, economic and social challenges.

International educational activities and collaborative projects create opportunities for students to learn alongside peers and experts from other countries and to address real-world sustainability problems.

Public Engagement and Community Activities

SUA works with ministries, municipalities, professional associations, non-governmental organisations and local communities. Public events, expert consultations and knowledge-transfer activities connect academic expertise with practical policy and community needs.

In 2025, the university contributed expert knowledge to the development of Slovakia's first Architectural Policy, adopted by the Slovak Government in December. The policy addresses sustainable spatial development, landscape management, cultural and natural heritage and public participation.

Workshops and outreach initiatives, including the 2025 Path to Sustainability workshop, provide opportunities for dialogue between researchers, students, public institutions and external partners.

Institutional Partnerships and Cooperation

SUA maintains institutional partnerships that support education, research and regional development. In 2025, its cooperation records listed 349 international agreements, including 237 Erasmus+ agreements and 112 bilateral agreements.

The university also contributes to international knowledge exchange through its involvement in university networks and European projects. Partnerships are supported by strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement and regular reporting of institutional activities. These arrangements enable cooperation to continue beyond individual events and projects.

Key Achievements

349 international cooperation agreements recorded in 2025, including Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements.
268 sustainability-related courses and 59 related study programmes identified for 2025/2026.
Expert contribution to Slovakia's Architectural Policy, adopted in December 2025.
864 sustainability-related research publications recorded in the university's 2025 institutional sustainability monitoring.

Evidence and Further Information

International Research and Partnerships

Policy Cooperation and Public Engagement

Institutional Reporting