To enhance the field of social rehabilitation for veterans in Ukraine, DVV International in Ukraine launched the "Reintegration of War Veterans through the Creation of Educational Opportunities" project. The primary goal of the project is to create favorable conditions for the successful return of veterans and their families to civilian life by expanding their professional knowledge and social skills, as well as increasing their competitiveness in the labour market.
To implement the project, DVV International in Ukraine is collaborating with partner organisations - Adult Education Centres (AECs) in seven regions of Ukraine. In a short time, the AEC teams have implemented many important initiatives for society. This article will highlight some innovative courses from the AEC teams in Poltava, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, which reached hundreds of participants.
"The modern world is rapidly advancing, and the demand for specialists in drone operation and management is increasing daily. The study of drones is already being incorporated into school curricula, underscoring the importance and relevance of this field," says Liliya Matviychuk, head of the NGO “Adult Education Center of Poltava Region” where the team implemented a drone management course as part of the project. "However, until recently, there were no centres in the Poltava region for training such specialists. To fill this gap, we created the 'Drone Operation and Management' course."
The course was held at the Poltava University of Economics and Trade twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. The first group of 17 people attended from 7 February to 1 March 2024, and the second group of 18 people attended from 15 April to 1 May 2024. The groups were formed based on a mixed-integrative principle: among the course participants were veterans, their families, members of the families of active military personnel, fallen defenders, and civilians without military connections. Some participants use the knowledge they gained in the agricultural sector or volunteer by assembling drones.
"The course became one of the most popular and in-demand areas of training for the veteran community and civilians," Liliya adds, noting, "If the project continues, we plan to retain this course, expand the number of groups, and increase the number of training hours. This will open new opportunities for an even larger number of interested individuals who wish to master modern drone management technologies and apply this knowledge in practice."
Another large-scale and important initiative realised thanks to the support of DVV International in Ukraine was the innovative educational project "How to Talk to a Veteran," organised in Sumy by the NGO "Lifelong Learning Centre" in cooperation with the Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support.
"The project in Sumy opened a new chapter in the interaction between society and those who have gone through the trials of war," says Stanislav Kostenko, project manager of the NGO "Lifelong Learning Centre." "This course brought together the best specialists and activists to help veterans adapt to civilian life."
The course idea was inspired by Oleksandr Bondarenko, a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman and head of public relations at the Sumy Regional Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support. He became the main initiator and organiser of this project, inviting renowned lecturers to share their experiences and knowledge. The total number of course participants who actively engaged in most sessions was 138, with 149 registered in the Telegram chat.
The course consisted of six thematic lectures, each covering important aspects of interaction with veterans. For example, Maria Lytvynenko discussed the nuances of communication with veterans from a psychologist's perspective, Serhiy Hnatyuk shared his experience of filming documentary series, and Andriy "Chekh" spoke about his struggle with physical injuries and his path to recovery.
Participants were not only able to listen to lectures, but also actively participate in discussions and practical sessions. They discussed pressing issues, worked in groups, and received answers to their personal questions.
"The project was highly successful, and plans are already underway to continue it at both the regional and national levels. Negotiations are ongoing with the United Nations Development Programme to relaunch the course with new lecturers and an online format," says Oleksandr. "This opens new opportunities for the reintegration of war veterans, providing them with the necessary support and educational opportunities for successful adaptation to civilian life."
In Mykolaiv, the business school "From Idea to Action" also addressed the needs of veterans returning to civilian life, filled with the desire to start their own business. "Many veterans, having had leadership experience during combat, no longer see themselves as employees. For this reason, we decided to help veterans realise their entrepreneurial ambitions," says Oleksandra Yushchyshyna, head of the NGO "Center of Adult Learning and Education “South."
The business school was implemented in cooperation with a local university, and two courses were conducted at its base. Together with the instructors, they developed a curriculum so that each of the 24 participants would have a completed business plan by the end of the course. These business plans could be submitted to various grant competitions to obtain funding for their projects.
After the course, the Adult Education Centre conducted a survey among participants to gather their impressions. Many respondents noted that the school provided not only knowledge but also additional inspiration to start their own business. One family received a grant to open a car service station thanks to the business plan they created during the course.
"If the veteran reintegration project continues, we plan to organise such schools in the future. Veterans returning from the Defence Forces, where salaries are quite high, often face a job market that cannot offer them an equivalent level of pay. Therefore, many aspire to open their own business to utilise their experience, provide for their families, and remain independent. This is precisely the demand our business school is addressing, providing veterans with the necessary knowledge and support to realise their entrepreneurial ideas," adds Oleksandra.
These three areas — drone management, effective communication with veterans, and the business school — brought together hundreds of participants in Poltava, Sumy, and Mykolaiv. Thanks to the project, they gained new knowledge, skills, and inspiration necessary for a successful return to civilian life and the realisation of their professional ideas.
The "Reintegration of War Veterans through the Creation of Educational Opportunities" project is implemented by DVV International in Ukraine with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office.