Network activities
JST convenes the Fellows’ community online and in person, creating trusted spaces for constructive dialogue, exchange and learning across different perspectives, sectors and geographies. Here, you'll find highlights from our recent network activities and events.
In-person events
Online sessions
Energy Security and Resilience in Ukraine
26 February 2026
Viacheslav Luchnykov is one of our Ukrainian Fellows and an expert in renewable energy and hydrogen. As Director of Strategy & Innovations at UDP Renewables, CEO of UDPR Hydrogen, and Co-founder of the GreenWest PtX hydrogen production cluster, he leads key initiatives that contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s energy security, even as the war continues.
He shared his insights on energy security and resilience in Ukraine in an online session with Fellows from all over our network. They explored governance risks, EU grid connectivity, corruption concerns, and Ukraine's potential to become a regional energy technology hub.
Insights from those working on recovery inside Ukraine are invaluable - thank you Viacheslav and all the Fellows who joined for your continued support for and dedication to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
Narratives, Cultural Identity and Democracy
30 July 2026
Olga Reka is a Ukrainian creative producer, artist and journalist. Her work explores archetypal and transformational narratives shaped by themes of war, dignity, trauma and cultural memory.
In this session, Olga argued that at the heart of today's democratic crisis is a crisis of narrative: a rupture between identities, experiences and meanings. As trust in governments, media and institutions erodes, the frameworks that once defined democratic order no longer feel sufficient. But democratic institutions alone cannot fix this. If the underlying narrative remains unchanged, it will keep reproducing itself.
Culture is where that change begins. It is the space where collective trauma can be processed, fear confronted, and the capacity to act rebuilt. Drawing on examples from popular culture, Olga explored how the 'contemporary antagonist' acts as a mirror - a mechanism through which societies begin to see, and change, themselves.
The Demographic Dividend in Central Asia
24 September 2026
In this session with Jovid Ikromi, we explored the "demographic dividend" facing Central Asia over the next 25 years - a moment where over half the region's population is under 30, poised to form its largest-ever labour force.
Drawing on UNICEF's Generation 2050 report, we looked at what's needed to convert this demographic advantage into lasting economic and social gains: the human capital gaps holding countries back, the risks of underinvestment in health, education, protection, and social services, and what strategic, early investment in children and young people could mean for growth and stability across the five Central Asian countries by 2050.
Funding Strategies
25 June 2026
Alina Yablonskaya, a strategic advisor in grant management and donor relations, led a session on funding amid a changing landscape. Fellows discussed different strategies, including diversifying away from single donors, building consortiums, and exploring corporate funding. The session led to a concrete outcome: an active online channel where Fellows share funding opportunities and discuss strategies.
Sustainable Energy Futures
28 May 2026
Fellows Nonna Babayan (AUA Acopian Center for the Environment) and Alex Patonia (Oxford Institute for Energy Studies) shared insights on biogas and hydrogen as alternatives to imported fossil fuels: from Armenia's potential to generate up to 10% of its natural gas demand from organic waste, to the EU's efforts to scale renewable hydrogen. Fellows from Ukraine to Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan joined with their own questions, comparing circumstances that differ but challenges that often look similar.
Systems Thinking
27 August 2026
When problems are isolated, linear thinking works. But many of the issues we face, from environmental crises to everyday friction at work, are too complex to be solved that way. Virginia Bîlici, JST Fellow and project manager at UNDP Moldova, explained when and why linear thinking fails, and what to do instead. She introduced the Cynefin framework, which classifies problems as simple, complicated, complex or chaotic, with each requiring a different way of solving. Fellows tested the framework against real challenges from their own work, including aligning ministries and stakeholders on Armenia's green transition.
Second International Annual “New Horizons” Conference in Batumi
October 2026
Our Fellows came together in Batumi for the second International Annual “New Horizons” Conference. What started as an idea during Giga Phartenadze’s JST fellowship in 2025 has (once again!) come to life as an international platform that brings people together.
At last year’s conference, nearly all of Giga’s cohort joined to share their expertise, and this year he involved senior Fellows from across the wider JST community as well.
JST supports this initiative by bringing relevant UK experts to Batumi to exchange knowledge and ideas. We believe that bringing people together like this is at the heart of meaningful collaboration, and we love seeing how connections that began during the JST fellowship continue to have an impact.
We're proud of Giga for organising another successful conference, and we'll keep supporting ideas like his.
"New Horizons" is not just a conference; it is a space where ideas are transformed into collaborations, professional relationships are developed, and new international connections are formed.
Our goal is to make Georgia an important centre for regional dialogue, knowledge exchange and international cooperation – a place that unites people, institutions and countries around common challenges and opportunities.
Giga Phartenadze, JST Fellow
Bringing together Ukrainian women leaders in Scotland and the UK
September 2026
For our Amplifying Ukrainian Voices in the UK programme, we brought together Ukrainian women leaders from the JST and Voices Gloucester networks to work together on ideas to strengthen the connections between Ukrainian and British communities. Lots of new connections were formed and ambitious ideas brought to life.
Over the coming months, participants will develop their ideas into initiatives across arts, culture and heritage, dialogue and public understanding, and social cohesion and inclusion, to ultimately present them at an event in Gloucester.
A huge thank you as well to our workshop facilitators and Voices Gloucester, especially Clare Bebbington, without whom none of this would have been possible!
This experience leaves me with a sincere desire to continue collaborating so that together we can build a more gentle, harmonious, and peaceful world.
Inna Borodovka, JST Fellow
Fellows meet with Lord John Alderdice in Bishkek
26 September 2026
Lord John Alderdice, Chair of JST's Board, managed to fit a warm conversation with a multi-generational group of JST Fellows into his visit to Bishkek as UK Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
Thank you to our Fellows for giving John a warm welcome and sharing their stories and ideas for JST’s next chapter. The conversation was a reminder of how 30 years of JST fellowships have contributed to partnerships and cooperation between the UK and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Thank you as well to the Embassy and Ambassador Vicente Solera Deuchar for hosting our Fellows and for supporting our network in Kyrgyzstan.
This is what I value about the JST community: people from very different professional backgrounds coming together and looking at the same issues from different perspectives.
Akylbek Bakytov, JST Fellow
Lord John Alderdice visits JST Fellows in Tajikistan
23 September 2026
Lord John Alderdice, Chair of JST's Board, had an engaging conversation with JST Fellows during his visit to Dushanbe as UK Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
John highlighted how relationships between people are the most important foundation for the future of the UK–Tajikistan partnership. Strong personal connections make dialogue and collaboration possible, and investing in the next generation through networks like JST is key to building those connections for years to come.
Thank you to Ambassador Katherine Smitton and the British Embassy in Dushanbe for their warm welcome to Lord Alderdice and our Fellows, and for supporting our network in Tajikistan.
30 Years of JST Celebration in Kyiv
10 September 2026
Ukrainian Fellows marked JST's 30th anniversary alongside His Majesty's Ambassador to Ukraine, Sir Neil Crompton KCMG CBE, and JST Trustee Craig Oliphant OBE. At the event, Fellows spoke about what JST stands for and what it has meant in their lives.
Being a JST Fellow is an honour. And at the same time — a responsibility. 30 years is a great opportunity to look back. And even better — to think about what we can do together next.
Artem Shaipov, JST Fellow
30 Years of JST Celebration in Tbilisi
31 May 2026
Georgian Fellows came together to celebrate 30 years of JST, reflecting on past accomplishments and the challenges the country faces today - and welcoming Natia Gabelia and Irakli Kotetishvili as the Georgian network's new Fellows' Council representatives. The evening was a reminder of how strong and resilient the Georgian community remains, even in difficult times.
Ukrainian JST Fellows meet British MPs in Kyiv
23 February 2026
Our Ukrainian Fellows met with a delegation of British MPs in Kyiv today to share frontline insights on what Ukraine needs to prevail.
Thank you to UK Friends of Ukraine, the visiting MPs, and our Fellows for an open and constructive discussion at a pivotal time.
