Every success story begins with an opportunity – a moment when someone dares to take a step forward. For many young people in Ukraine, that moment came with the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ Programme.
Supported by the European Union and the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this initiative is about learning new skills – building confidence, taking action, and creating change. Across the country, young people are becoming changemakers in their communities, tackling real social challenges through entrepreneurship, volunteering, education, and creativity.
The projects from this Programme prove that lasting impact comes when European experience meets Ukrainian energy and a deep understanding of local needs. Young people are not waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ – they are building the future now. With access to knowledge, mentorship, and self-belief, even the toughest challenges become stepping stones toward a stronger tomorrow.
School of ME: a new approach to education through entrepreneurship
School of Mindful Entrepreneurship has pioneered the introduction of social enterprises in educational institutions (or ‘Studbiz’ for short) in Ukraine. As part of the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ Programme, the organisation is implementing the international project ‘Fostering Youth Social Entrepreneurship and Practical Career Management Skills in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia Through the Innovative Social Student Companies (SSC) Approach’ (or simply StudBizEU). Due to the innovative concept of ‘Studbiz’, students not only learn the basics of business, but also gain real-world experience in creating their projects that have a social impact.
The project lasts for two years – from July 2023 to June 2025 – and is already showing significant results. The initiative envisages the creation of 6 social enterprises in educational institutions in Ukraine (and 24 in total in the Eastern Partnership countries), and offers internships for young people in successful social businesses. Outreach activities are ongoing, including open training modules for teachers and youth workers, the creation and distribution of educational videos, and a Telegram bot with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and all the necessary information on the subject. All this enables high school students to understand how social entrepreneurship works and how to find their place in the labour market.
StudBiz EU project alumni. Source: School of ME
‘This project is important because Ukraine can export its experience in social school entrepreneurship to other Eastern Partnership countries. Such approaches bring school education to a new and modern level, allow students to try themselves as entrepreneurs and better understand their future career path’ says Artem Kornetskyi, Head of School of ME.
Financial sustainability through social business: NGO ‘Youth platform’ project
Social Entrepreneurship in a Youth Center’ is an NGO ‘Youth platform’ initiative in cooperation with School of ME, which aims to strengthen the financial sustainability of Ukrainian youth centers by launching social enterprises. Over the past year, representatives of eight youth centers from all over Ukraine have been receiving training, creating business plans, and implementing their social businesses with the support of experts and mentors. After business training, development of enterprise models, and successful pitching, each centre received a €15,000 grant to implement their business ideas. As a result, the communities have created initiatives they need: a space for scientific exhibits in Ternopil, a pottery workshop in Kovel, an eco-printing station in Bucha, a water quality laboratory in Lviv, and a photo studio in Dnipro, which contribute to the development of local youth.
‘Social entrepreneurship is a fairly new phenomenon for Ukraine, and we are already implementing projects to develop entrepreneurial competencies among young people through the work of local youth centers. The next step is to launch youth startups and open social entrepreneurship, which will be supported by the youth center. This allows them to become more independent and create new jobs for young people. We are convinced that such projects give young people the motivation to be here and now in Ukraine, to be involved and have the opportunity to create, make mistakes, and create again’ emphasizes Zakhariy Tkachuk, Executive Director of NGO ‘Youth platform’.
Projects like these show that social enterprises are becoming not only a source of income but also a platform for engaging young people in active civil life.
Participants of the project ‘STARTUI: Social Entrepreneurship in a Youth Center’. Source: NGO ‘Youth platform’
Young entrepreneurs are drivers of change: the story of the JA Ukraine project
JA Ukraine is implementing the ‘Building Back Better through Social Entrepreneurship’ project (implemented in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia), which helps young Ukrainian people turn ideas into real social businesses. The goal of the initiative is to provide comprehensive support to young entrepreneurs, aged 17 to 22, at every stage: from conceptualization to launching a social enterprise, including mini-grants for the operational development of projects.
The project has a significant social impact, as it not only contributes to solving current social challenges but also engages young people in business activities and modernising community infrastructure. The initiative has already developed 15 business ideas, which include a wide range of initiatives, including adaptive clothing, bionic prostheses, mobile applications, and educational games.
Some ideas are already being put into practice, proving that young people can be drivers of change, contributing to the sustainable development of communities and the country as a whole.
‘Strong desire and motivation are key factors for success in social entrepreneurship. These qualities help to overcome difficulties and direct efforts towards achieving social goals’ emphasizes Yuriy Tokarsky, Head of JA Ukraine.
Alumni of the Recovery through Social Entrepreneurship project. Source: JA Ukraine
Education that triggers social change: solutions from the Centre for Expert Solutions and Advocacy
Centre for Expert Solutions and Advocacy is implementing the project ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Development-Based Skills Development – SEDS in Georgia and Ukraine’. To support young people in setting up social enterprises, the project team, together with European partners, has developed an appropriate educational programme that includes 8 online modules and a series of mentoring sessions. The focus was on business planning, management, marketing, legal issues, financing, and measuring social impact. A total of 367 young people from all over Ukraine took part in the training, and over 1500 more watched the webinars online.
The project participants not only gained knowledge but also developed their ideas, including adaptive tableware for people with disabilities, an art workshop, a social printing house, and several others. Ten of the most promising initiatives will receive funding to purchase equipment and provide further support.
‘Social entrepreneurship is a response to society’s need for action, not just waiting for change. That is why we are implementing this project as a platform that brings together active, courageous, and responsible people. This is where ideas with social value and businesses that work not only for profit but also for impact are born. We help participants find support, tools, knowledge, and like-minded people. All this inspires and gives them the strength to move forward, even in difficult times. The programme must form a community – a lively, active one, ready to share experience and resources. We believe that social entrepreneurship can help build sustainable, cohesive communities. This approach not only changes the lives of individuals but also transforms society as a whole. We see how even the smallest initiatives can grow into big things. And this is what we are working for’ says project coordinator Mykhailo Zaviznyi-Yurtin.
Mykhailo Zaviznyi-Yurtin, photo from personal archive
The project creates a space for cooperation between young people, NGOs, and businesses, shapes a culture of responsible entrepreneurship, and opens the way for sustainable change in communities, especially in wartime.
Greenhouse for Social Innovators: an accelerator for social enterprises from No Waste Ukraine
Greenhouse for Social Innovators (implemented in Ukraine and several Eastern Partnership countries) is a project of No Waste Ukraine aimed at supporting social enterprises whose founders strive to develop sustainable businesses and increase their positive impact on society. Programme participants receive professional mentoring, training in marketing, finance, and investment attraction, and practical support for their enterprises’ development.
The project brings together business mentors and social entrepreneurs who are making an impact in the areas of environment, inclusion, and behavioral change. For the 6-month programme, participants not only improve their business management and financial performance but also develop mechanisms for long-term growth. The final stage is the Meetup, where entrepreneurs present their results and the best ones receive additional support.
‘Social entrepreneurship solves important social problems by combining traditional business approaches with social impact. Such initiatives create jobs, promote sustainable development, and strengthen communities. Supporting social businesses is an investment in a better future, where economic benefits go hand in hand with the well-being of the entire society’ said Yevheniia Aratovska, founder of No Waste Ukraine.
Yevheniia Aratovska, photo from personal archive
Supporting social entrepreneurs contributes to the sustainable development of communities, creates jobs, and changes the culture of consumption. The programme participants have already implemented concrete changes in their businesses, such as switching to eco-friendly materials, expanding their markets, and changing their approaches to communication with consumers. The average growth rate of the project participants’ business performance is 30%.
Support that changes lives: how Action Time and Smart media help young veterans and IDPs
Action Time and Smart media organisations implement ‘EU4Youth Phase III – Support for young veterans and internally displaced persons in Ukraine’ project aimed at integrating these categories of people into civilian life and developing their businesses. Participants of the project receive business mentoring, create business plans, and receive financial support to implement their ideas.
This project was the first in Ukraine to bring together two vulnerable groups of people – veterans and IDPs – allowing them not only to adapt but also to contribute to the rebuilding of Ukraine. The project has already developed 60 business plans, supported 10 businesses, and strengthened dozens of entrepreneurial initiatives.
Oleksandra Shchukina, Leader of Smart media:
‘In addition to working with veterans within the project, we also held several meetings with the veteran community in different regions of Ukraine. Through communication with veterans, local authorities, and analysis of legislation, we created an analytical note describing the problems of veteran businesses’.
Analytical note on veteran business from Smart Media. Source: Smart Media
Supporting the business initiatives of veterans and IDPs contributes not only to economic growth but also to the integration of such people into communities and strengthening social stability.
The project participant, Armed Forces of Ukraine veteran Denys Bondar emphasizes:
‘Veterans need to be reintegrated into civilian life, and it is not always a return to the profession they had before participating in hostilities. That’s why these people need support, various programmes, and initiatives that would give them a boost to business development’.
Checkpoint: a support space for veterans, IDPs, and their families
On 1 May 2024, Checkpoint, a rehabilitation space for veterans of the Ukrainian army, was opened in Zaporizhzhia, providing comprehensive support to the military, veterans, their families, and IDPs. Checkpoint unites six thematic spaces, where up to 30 people can receive assistance at a time, and about 300 people use the services every month. The initiative is implemented by the Open Lithuanian Foundation in cooperation with the NGO ‘Laboratory of Military-Political Research and Reconstruction’.
Checkpoint offers a wide range of services: physical rehabilitation, psychological support, legal support, employment assistance, business development and special programmes for children and teenagers. While children and teenagers attend interactive classes in the ‘Alarmik’ space or engage in creative activities in the Artistic Weapons of Ukraine hub, parents can get business and legal advice, receive psychological help or work out in the gym with rehabilitation specialists.
Tetiana Lutai, a visitor to the space: ‘I came to the space in June 2024, and by autumn I had already had four sessions with a psychologist, and my child is working with the teachers. My husband is a military man, and he has also already used the services, ranging from psychological and legal assistance to rehabilitation. If necessary, we can visit a psychologist together with my husband’.
Veterans, their family members, and IDPs often face difficulties in finding work. In turn, the specialists of the Checkpoint Business School help with CV writing, provide advice on admission to postgraduate education, and assist in creating business plans for starting their business.
Consultations from Checkpoint Business School. Source: Checkpoint
Checkpoint is both a space of assistance and a community of people who overcome challenges together and find new opportunities for the future. The project shows how international partnerships help create long-term solutions to support veterans and internally displaced persons, making their return to peaceful life more comfortable and confident.
Inclusion in action: how people with autism, intellectual disabilities, and psychosocial disorders are helped
All-Ukrainian NGO ‘Coalition for People with Intellectual Disabilities’ and ‘Djerela’ Charity Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities’ are implementing the ‘EU4Youth – Youth Employment in Times of Crisis: Personal Assistants Programme to Support People with Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and Psychosocial Disabilities in Ukraine’ project. This initiative responds to an urgent need that arose during the war to strengthen social support for the most vulnerable populations.
As part of the project, 370 young professionals in social work, psychology, and pedagogy completed a specialized training course. Of them, 82 participants went on to gain hands-on experience through internships and employment as personal assistants for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Veronika Taras is one of the project’s alumni who became a personal assistant. Veronika currently works at the Drohobych Voluntary Society for the Protection of Disabled Children ‘Nadia’ and is studying at the Faculty of Psychology at Drohobych State Pedagogical University of Ivan Franko.
‘When I started working, it was a little difficult at first, I didn’t know how to approach… so as not to do something wrong, not to offend, but now I can communicate freely. For example, there is a boy, 6 years old, who was very close when I first came, hardly communicated, and did not make contact. And now he draws and runs to meet me. I am pleased about this’ says Veronika Taras.
Veronika Taras, photo from personal archive
The project demonstrates how important it is to combine support for people from vulnerable categories with the development of youth professional capacity, creating a more inclusive society.
persp@ctive: when digital competences become a bridge between social inequality and professional success
The project ‘persp@ctive – Enhanced perspectives on the labour market through low-threshold access to digital and entrepreneurial competences for young disadvantaged people in Moldova and Ukraine’, implemented by the NGO ‘Narodna Dopomoha Ukraine’, teaches teenagers to work with IT tools, reveals the basics of doing business and provides first work experience through internships in leading companies.
Over 100 young people have gained practical knowledge and skills over the 2 years of the project, and the best of them have received job offers. This is not just training – it is a start to the future, where every talent has the right to succeed.
‘Our task is not just to impart knowledge, but to inspire young people to believe in themselves. Even one chance can change a life. We create these opportunities, and the results speak for themselves’ says Anastasia Beridze, project coordinator in Ukraine.
persp@ctive project training. Source: Narodna Dopomoha Ukraine
The persp@ctive project is an opportunity to support young people in Ukraine and Moldova who need real prospects for development. Due to this project, the unemployment rate among adolescents from socially disadvantaged groups is decreasing, and they gain confidence in their strength and see the prospects for the future.
Responding to the challenges of war: a project of Ukrainian State University named after Mykhaylo Dragomanov
In response to the challenges of war, Ukrainian State University named after Mykhaylo Dragomanov is implementing the ‘EU4Youth Phase III – Post-conflict Education and Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Programme’ in partnership with the Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas, Lithuania). This initiative aims to increase the resilience of educators and provide them with tools to support students affected by war.
The programme has updated training courses, conducted a series of workshops, and created new methodological materials for school psychologists, teachers, and rehabilitation centers. One of the key results is the development and launch of the course ‘Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs in Crisis Situations’, which helps to create an inclusive learning environment.
‘The Faculty of Special and Inclusive Education and the Faculty of Pedagogy are actively working to create an educational system that will not only restore but also strengthen the nation. By developing new courses, conducting training, and introducing effective methods of disseminating knowledge, we will provide quality education for every Ukrainian, helping them become resilient and ready for any future challenges’ emphasizes Iryna Markus, Dean of the Faculty of Special and Inclusive Education.
Iryna Markus, photo from personal archive
The programme participants also note its practical value.
Emilia Kovshar, one of the training participants:
‘This training helped me understand how to effectively cope with stress disorders. I feel more confident during air raids and explosions, and I am ready to help others overcome stress in such situations’.
This project not only improves the approach to education but also contributes to the formation of a sustainable and open educational system capable of meeting the challenges of our time.
The ‘EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ Programme proves that even in difficult times, investing in young people is key to the sustainable development of communities and society as a whole. Thanks to EU support, Ukrainian youth are getting additional opportunities to learn, develop entrepreneurial skills, and build a successful future. These success stories are inspiring and demonstrate how partnerships and joint efforts can change people’s lives for the better. There are still many challenges ahead, but the confident steps of the younger generation inspire optimism and faith in new prospects.
