The volume of social services that Ukrainian military, veterans, their families, and internally displaced persons need is enormous, and that is why the European Union and Lithuania focus on these categories of Ukrainians when implementing their humanitarian projects. This is stated in the material of the Ukrainian portal New Voice.
The Smart Media NGO (Ukraine), with the support of the CPVA, is focused on helping veterans and IDPs start their businesses through business hackathons as part of the EU4Youth program.
Music as a key to rehabilitation
On February 25, 2022, musician Stanislav Raldugin joined the AFU. At first, he served in Donetsk region, where he sustained a knee injury. After rehabilitation, he was transferred to the Zaporizhzhia area, where he suffered an arm injury that led to prolonged rehabilitation and depression.
Stanislav managed to get out of this state thanks to the support of his father and his dream of creating a world-class music label. He recently participated in a business hackathon, which provided him with the knowledge to realize this idea.
Stanislav Raldugin, photo from personal archive
‘Before, I didn’t have a clear strategy to realize my ideas. Thanks to the hackathon, I was able to structure my thoughts and gain new knowledge. The lecturers who worked with us are always in contact, and it helps a lot’ Stanislav said.
Sports helped the veteran return to life
Denys Bondar began his military service in 2014, and in 2017 he was seriously injured, requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation. He managed to recover thanks to sports.
“I was bedridden, unable to move, but thanks to sports I returned to normal life,” Denys said.
In 2022, Denys returned to the Armed Forces, and a year later he was demobilized and became a physical education teacher. Later, he decided to set up a sports club, and the hackathon helped him do it.
Denys Bondar, photo from personal archive
‘The organization of the hackathon was at a high level. Such projects are very motivating and broaden horizons. Thanks to communication with experienced speakers, I learned how to raise funds, attract investors and receive grants to implement business ideas’ stated Denys.
Relocating an English school – an IDP’s experience
Before the full-scale invasion began, Daria Skachko from Kharkiv owned an English language school. Due to the constant shelling, she had to evacuate to Kalush in Ivano-Frankivsk region, where she was forced to sell her car to open a new English school.
Today, Daria is actively developing her business. During the hackathon, she managed to gain new knowledge in marketing, PR, strategic planning, and HR.
Daria Skachko, photo from personal archive
‘The hackathon gave me an understanding of what marketing tools can attract more customers and how to expand my target audience. It was extremely useful for the development of my business’ Daria said.
The EU4Youth Phase III Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is being executed by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in Eastern Partnership countries. These include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The programme will run until the end middle of 2025 and aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle youth unemployment and enhance employability.
