The Western Centre of the Ukrainian Branch of the World Laboratory (WorldLab), Lviv

WorldLab is a non-government, non-profit organisation with the goal of protecting the environment, promoting public health and improving the quality of life for the people of Western Ukraine. Based in Lviv, the WorldLab is a scientific and research centre primarily involved in activities related to clean environmental technologies and pollution prevention in the industrial sector, as well as renewable energy technologies.

WorldLab works in Western Ukraine. In this region there is the Zakhidnyi Buh river, which is the Wistula tributary, and the Wistula basin belongs to the Baltic Sea catchment. About 3 millions inhabitants live in this region.

The aim of WorldLab is the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Western Ukraine and promotion of sustainable development. WorldLab works with NGOs of the Western Ukraine and looks for opportunities, to encourage a new constructive thinking. We formed a network of volunteers for improvement of environmental state of the territory of the Zakhidnyi Buh river basin.

WorldLab is situated in the town of Lviv, which is a large urbanised centre in the Western Ukraine on the Main European watershed. In Lviv region the small rivers originate. These rivers form a basin of the Zakhidnyi Buh River, which is a part of the Baltic Sea catchment. This basin includes two large regions (oblast): Lviv and Volyn oblast. Our organisation works with NGOs of these two. WorldLab has also good contacts with our Polish friends. WorldLab initiated NGOs network, activity of which is directed at protection of natural resources and at prevention of pollution and minimisation of waste products in rural areas, organised trainings, lectures and workshops with communities, whose activity has an impact on the state of natural resources and, in particular, of water resources in the Zakhidnyi Buh river basin. The priority area of our work is creation of the Local plans of Ecological actions for rural communities. We have an experience on this issue, and WorldLab prepares recommendations for formation of the Strategy of sustainable development for rural communities.

WorldLab at the international level works with the Danube Environmental Forum (DEF), whose activity is aimed at protecting water ecosystems to maintain their crucial role in sustaining biodiversity; supporting and implementing local actions that benefit water ecosystems. The WorldLab is a DEF member.

The WorldLab Statute determines democratic principles of its activities.

Petro Hrytsyshyn
Director WorldLab