Second Business School for Veterans Launched: Turning Brave Dreams into Reality

"While my son is on the front line, I want to start my own business to support my family, and then pass it on to my children and grandchildren," — with this heartfelt story from Mrs. Mariia from the village of Ridkivtsi, the second business school began as part of the project “Reintegration of War Veterans Through Educational Opportunities: For Their Own.”

Participants — veterans, female veterans, and family members of military personnel, including families of fallen defenders — gathered in Ridkivtsi village to take the first steps towards starting their own businesses. With the support of experienced business trainer Oksana Palagecha, they will go through the full training cycle: from defining an idea to writing a high-quality business plan. Throughout the program, participants will also receive mentoring support, individual consultations, and tools for analyzing the market, target audience, and financial models.

The most promising business ideas will have a chance to become reality: six participants from the two business schools will receive grants of up to UAH 400,000 (including taxes) to launch or develop their own businesses. These funds can be used to purchase necessary equipment.

“The business school is not just about learning. It's a space of support, new connections, and belief in oneself. We see that veterans and their families have incredible ideas, but often lack the confidence or knowledge to implement them. Our task is to create conditions where these ideas can become reality,” — emphasizes Olena Tanasiychuk, President of the "Public Resources and Initiatives" Charity Foundation.

The business schools are part of the broader project "Reintegration of War Veterans through Educational Opportunities: Ours for Ours" is implemented by the “Public Resources and Initiatives” Charity Foundation in partnership with DVV International in Ukraine and supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. The project runs from June 2025 to February 2026.

The project aims to provide comprehensive support for veterans, female veterans, persons with war-related disabilities, and their families, including:

🔹 Professional training – short-term courses in accounting, massage, and nail services
🔹 Entrepreneurship – two business schools, 30 business plans, 6 grants for business creation/development
🔹 Psychological support – consultations for 30 individuals (PTSD, anxiety, adaptation)
🔹 Career counseling – over 210 participants will receive individual consultations
🔹 Integration activities – forum, round table, signing of memorandums with communities
🔹 Analytical component – "Map of Opportunities" as the first comprehensive study of veteran services in the region

We dream, we protect, we bring bold ideas to life!