The Centre for Green Technologies (CEGT), set up by the University of Nova Gorica (UNG) in cooperation with the Municipality of Nova Gorica, is a good example of how research and innovation can be mobilised to respond to the challenges of the green transition and sustainable development. UNG fosters collaboration between different faculties, departments and research groups to address the challenges of the green transition at multiple levels. It links natural and social sciences and technological innovation with the needs of society. CEGT bridges the gap between academic research outputs and their further application. The CEGT provides infrastructural, technical, educational and administrative support for the transfer of green and sustainable innovations to industry, agriculture and the urban and natural environment. At UNG, it is the hub for all applied activities related to the implementation of sustainable development. The applied development activities carried out in the CEGT are supported by the laboratories at UNG through a range of research activities at the basic research level in the field of greening, such as research on innovative processes for hydrogen production and storage, carbon capture and decomposition of pollutants, analysis and monitoring of water and air quality, etc.

As a research-intensive university, UNG also puts a strong emphasis on practical training and research in the delivery of its academic activities. Students are involved in projects focusing on sustainable solutions, collaborating with local businesses and organisations to gain experience in solving real-world challenges. The University offers various study programmes with subjects directly related to environmental sustainability, such as environmental sciences, renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable built environment, etc. Together, these features of the University of Nova Gorica curriculum ensure that students are educated and trained for green professions and contribute to solving global challenges.

On the one hand, UNG's research and innovation aims to generate new knowledge and solutions to meet the challenges of the green transition, and on the other hand, it seeks to equip new generations of graduates with the competences to understand the complexity of environmental problems and to find sustainable solutions.