Small Projects, Big Opportunities: New Initiatives by Leadership School Graduates

The winners of the mini-grant competition held as part of the Leadership School for Young Women in European Integration are continuing to turn their ideas into action. Across different communities in Ukraine, the first activities are already taking place, bringing together children, young people, women, veterans' families, and community members.

The initiatives address a wide range of needs — from career guidance for teenagers with Down syndrome and psychological support for military families to women's economic empowerment and youth engagement in international dialogue.

Here are four initiatives that are already underway or preparing for their upcoming activities.

“I CAN”: Creating Career Opportunities for Teenagers with Down Syndrome

Leadership School participant Tetiana Bizhan is implementing the “I CAN” mini-project, which aims to develop independence, social skills, and career awareness among teenagers with Down syndrome.

The first hands-on career experience has already taken place, giving participants the opportunity to try their hand at becoming burger makers.

Working alongside a professional chef, the teenagers explored the burger-making process, learned to follow practical instructions, handled ingredients, and prepared their own burgers.

Such practical activities help participants discover their abilities, gain new experiences, and build confidence in their potential. They also demonstrate the importance of creating accessible opportunities for professional development and social inclusion for young people with disabilities.

The mini-project is implemented in cooperation with WeCan NGO.

🎥 Watch the video from the first practical session

“Family at the Centre”: Psychological Support and Building Inner Resilience

On 24 October in Kamianske, a psychological training session entitled “Stress Management and Restoring Emotional Balance” took place as part of the mini-project “Family at the Centre: A Space for Support, Connection and Resilience.”

The event brought together women veterans, family members of veterans and military personnel, families of fallen Ukrainian defenders, and relatives of missing persons and prisoners of war.

During the training, participants learned practical stress management techniques, breathing exercises, and self-regulation methods. Particular attention was given to restoring emotional balance, identifying inner resources, and developing skills to cope with everyday psychological challenges.

An important part of the session was the opportunity to communicate, share personal experiences, and receive support from other women facing similar life circumstances.

The mini-project is implemented by Patriot 2015 NGO in cooperation with the Kamianske Municipal Veterans' Space, a municipal institution of Kamianske City Council.

“The Power of a New Start”: New Career Opportunities for Women Aged 50+

On 2 November in Kyiv, Leadership School participant Oksana Pochapska will organise a practical workshop entitled “The Power of a New Start.”

The initiative supports women aged 50 and over who wish to return to professional life, explore new sources of income, develop modern job-search skills, or start their own businesses.

The programme includes practical training, expert consultations, and guidance on opportunities for professional development and economic independence.

Special attention will be given to overcoming psychological barriers, rebuilding self-confidence, and identifying concrete steps towards a new professional beginning.

Participation is free of charge, subject to a preliminary selection process.

👉 Register for “The Power of a New Start” workshop

“Youth Ramstein Format Simulation”: Young People Explore International Diplomacy

Another initiative focuses on developing leadership skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of international cooperation mechanisms among young people.

Leadership School participant Anastasiia Odnovolyk is implementing the mini-project “Youth Ramstein Format Simulation.”

The programme consists of two stages:

• 28 October — online preparation for participants;
• 4 November — practical simulation of international negotiations in Kyiv.

During these activities, young people will have the opportunity to take on the roles of international negotiators, learn to present and defend their positions, engage in constructive dialogue, seek compromises, and make joint decisions.

The practical simulation will help participants better understand the principles of international diplomacy, cooperation between states, and the mechanisms through which agreements are reached in complex political circumstances.

👉 Register to participate in the Youth Ramstein Format Simulation

Leadership School: From Learning to Tangible Results

All these initiatives have emerged from the training, practical experience, and mentoring support that participants received through the Leadership School for Young Women in European Integration.

Throughout the programme, young women developed leadership competencies, explored European approaches to civic participation, gained project management skills, designed their own initiatives, and presented them during the competitive project pitching sessions.

The winners of the mini-grant competition are now moving from planning to implementation, engaging partner organisations, experts, and local community representatives in their activities.

For Public Resources and Initiatives Charity Foundation, it is particularly important that the impact of the Leadership School extends beyond its direct participants. Each initiative creates new opportunities for others, strengthens civic engagement, and contributes to the development of local communities.

This approach — transforming knowledge into concrete action and demonstrating leadership through responsibility and the ability to bring people together — is one of the project's key objectives.

We invite everyone interested to join the upcoming activities and follow the progress of the Leadership School participants' mini-projects. More initiatives, partnerships, and inspiring stories of change are still to come.

About the Project

The “Leadership School for Young Women in European Integration” project is implemented by Public Resources and Initiatives Charity Foundation in partnership with KWB Koordinierungsstelle Weiterbildung und Beschäftigung e. V., with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).