Category: News

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative — the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation Ambassadors program, which aims to strengthen ties between veterans and society, as well as to facilitate the successful reintegration of veterans into civilian life.

About the program

This program opens the door for active citizens, public figures, opinion leaders and veterans who want to act as ambassadors of the Foundation, spreading information about the mission and initiatives of the Foundation, as well as raising public awareness of the needs and contribution of veterans to the defense of the country.

The Foundation’s ambassadors will be involved in various events, media campaigns, and educational projects aimed at supporting veterans and will become the face of positive changes that are possible through joint efforts.

The main objectives

The main objectives of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation Ambassadors program:

• Strengthening the public image of veterans as active participants in public life.
• Expanding opportunities for veterans by engaging partners and donors.
• Raising awareness of the programs and services provided by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Ambassadors of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation will play a key role in disseminating information about the Foundation’s activities, drawing attention to important issues of the veteran community, and attracting resources and support from a wide range of stakeholders. Through their personal and professional networks, ambassadors will help raise awareness of the needs of veterans and motivate others to join the important mission of supporting veterans.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation Ambassadors program is open to anyone who shares the Foundation’s values and is ready to work actively to achieve its goals. The Foundation invites prominent individuals with diverse experience and professional achievements, including those in culture, sports, business, education and other fields, to participate in the program.

For those who wish to join the program as an ambassador, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation provides detailed information on the application process and selection criteria: https://veteranfund.com.ua/ambassadors/

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation is convinced that this initiative will not only improve the living conditions of veterans, but also create a stronger, more integrated community where everyone supports each other. We invite all interested parties to read the detailed information.

Together we can do more!

We are waiting for you in the family of ambassadors of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation!

This year, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation received a record number of applications for the contest #VARTO Start Your Own Business – 219. 

Experts are currently reviewing the applications, and the winners will be announced on April 22.  The projects were submitted by representatives of 22 regions and the capital of Ukraine. Among the record-breaking regions: 

• Lviv region – 27 applications;

• Kharkiv region – 24 applications;

• Ivano-Frankivsk region – 21 applications. 

In total, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has already supported 176 veteran business projects that participated in the #VARTO funding contests in 2022-2023. The total amount of funding under the contracts amounted to over UAH 293 million.

“In March 2024, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation held a new contest #VARTO Start Your Own Business. We received 219 applications from veterans. The amount of funding under the terms of the competition ranges from 500 thousand to 1.5 million hryvnias. The number of winners will be announced on April 16,” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, acting executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Fund.

She also notes that an important goal of the contests is to support veteran entrepreneurship in communities. 

“This means not only taxes to local budgets, but also employment of veterans. Most veterans who have received funds for business development say they have either already employed or are ready to hire a person with combat experience. If you want to learn more about veteran-owned businesses in your region, you can use the map of veteran-owned businesses that we created together with LUN. You can also add your business to the map if you are a veteran,” said Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk.

Veterans, wives/husbands of veterans, their parents, children, and families of deceased defenders can participate in the VARTO Start Your Own Business contests. Importantly, the business must be officially registered as an individual entrepreneur or legal entity. 

The program is free of charge for small business owners and their teams who want to grow and scale. The program was created by Google.

The online program will start on April 3, 2024 and will be useful for entrepreneurs with a small team or business owners without a team, as well as people with an idea for their own business who are hesitant to start.

The introductory module of the program and registration are available here.

Registered participants will get access to:

• 8 weeks of free training from entrepreneurs to understand strategy, finance, marketing, sales, and legal aspects
• online meetings with experts and case studies of real-life stories of small entrepreneurs
• a community of like-minded Ukrainian entrepreneurs;
• training materials for building a strategy and action plan.

Upon completion of the small business program, participants will receive a certificate, and 100 businesses will participate in a mentoring program with experts.

The program for small businesses includes short videos to watch at your convenience, online sessions and workshops, workbooks, and self-study tests.

Active participants will also receive nice gifts from the organizers. More details and registration: https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/small-business-program/home

From March 27 to 29, 2024, Rivne hosted a strategic session to discuss important issues of reintegrating veterans into civilian life. The event brought together key experts, representatives of state authorities, local governments, the public sector and educators.

The event was organized at the initiative of the Veterans Space of the Rivne Regional Council in cooperation with the National University of Ostroh Academy and with the support of the European Union and UNDP.

During the three days of the session, participants focused on developing a methodology for evaluating the readiness of communities for effective reintegration of veterans. A significant contribution to the session was made by Karina Doroshenko, Deputy Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, who presented the latest research of the Foundation, highlighting the problem of stigmatization of veterans in society and emphasizing their needs.

The strategic session focused on two key tasks. The first was to form the basis for developing a self-assessment methodology. It concerned the readiness of communities for the reintegration of veterans. The second task was to develop indicators to measure this readiness. The session program included a variety of activities. Panel discussions, working groups, and presentations were organized. All these activities helped the participants to formulate a common vision. They also contributed to the creation of a methodological framework for further steps.

In her presentation, Karina Doroshenko emphasized: “The latest research by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation points to a deep problem of stigmatization of veterans in our society. It is important that we not only identify these challenges, but also work to develop specific solutions and initiatives that will help veterans successfully integrate into civilian life.”

This underscores the importance of data collection and analytics for the development of effective veteran support policies.

The event in Rivne was an important step towards strengthening support for veterans by offering new approaches and strategies for their reintegration. The joint efforts of the conference participants indicate the potential for creating an effective veterans’ policy that takes into account the real needs and challenges faced by veterans upon their return to civilian life.

In recognition of the incredible contribution of women in times of trial, Ukrayinska Pravda honored one hundred women who have become symbols of unwavering strength, courage and hope for Ukraine. Among them is Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, volunteer of the International Charitable Foundation Come Back Alive and advisor to the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, whose efforts have significantly strengthened not only the military but also the social protection of the country.

Contribution to defense capability

One of Ruslana Velychko’s key achievements was the initiation and implementation of important legislative changes in March 2022. These amendments to the Tax and Customs Codes of Ukraine were aimed at reducing the cost of products necessary for national security and defense and repelling aggression. Thanks to these legislative initiatives, volunteers and charitable organizations were able to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine more effectively. In particular, in the procurement of military and dual-use goods.

These legislative changes have laid the foundation for numerous procurements that have helped strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. At the Come Back Alive Foundation, in particular, Ruslana Velychko ensured the procurement of the Bayraktar TB-2 complex with related products, armored vehicles, and many other goods that have made a significant contribution to the country’s defense capabilities. Ruslana Velychko played a key role in these processes, ensuring its ability to meet the challenges of the times. This included the fact that the Foundation was able to obtain permits to import such goods, just like other charitable foundations.

Development of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation

The development of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation under Ruslana Velychko’s leadership also included the expansion of support programs for veterans, including through crisis hotline, legal counseling, and social adaptation. The Foundation has stepped up its activities in the area of reintegration of veterans, facilitating their return to civilian life, retraining and employment. Velychko’s initiatives were supported by international partners, including the International Renaissance Foundation and IREX, NATO, which significantly expanded the Foundation’s ability to help Ukrainian veterans.

The Bayraktar Girl

The Bayraktar Girl, that’s how Milan Lelic, deputy editor-in-chief of RBC-Ukraine, described Ruslana Velychko.

Not only because in 2022 she led the largest project of the Come Back Alive Foundation to purchase three Bayraktars with all the accompanying equipment. But also because of the impact with which she implements her countless projects, both at Come Back Alive and at the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation. And before that, during the creation of Militarny, open data projects, long-term election observation at Opora, and so on. She probably can’t remember everything.

“Ruslana says that projects like the Bayraktar procurement are primarily about directing for her, referring to her first education as a director: you have to think through the entire project in advance and calculate all possible combinations,” says Milan Lelic.

If you add her tough, sometimes even prickly, but very strong personality to her directorial skills and legal knowledge and practice, this striking force will still be able to surprise many.

Her contribution to strengthening defense and supporting social protection in Ukraine has been an important part of the national effort and deserves to be highly recognized.

Ruslana Velychko, along with other women, demonstrates an example of courage, leadership and dedication, inspiring society to further accomplishments and unite around common goals.

Ukrayinska Pravda’s honoring of a hundred women for their invincible spirit and contribution to the defense of the country emphasizes the importance of each individual in creating a strong, sustainable and just Ukraine. This award serves as a reminder of the power that lies in working together and steadfast commitment to the ideals of freedom and independence.

The Expert Council of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, which will evaluate the project applications submitted for the VARTO Start Your Own Business competition, includes three experts: Olha Veselovska, Maria Kot, and Vitalii Masyuk. Here are the details of the experience and motivation of those who will select the projects that will receive financial support from the Foundation.

Olha Veselovska has over 10 years of experience in managing international projects in the private and public sectors and over 7 years in managing non-profit organizations.

Maria Kot is a co-founder and managing partner at APT (Ukrainian Human Capital Investment Agency) and a lecturer at UCU Business School.

Maria has over 14 years of experience in the IT industry and education, of which 8 years she has held senior positions in recruiting and management, business development, and operational management. She is a lecturer at UCU Business School, a trainer and author of training programs in HR management, leadership and HRM, and a certified SHRM specialist (SCP, PMQ, Veterans at Work).

“For me, participation in the Expert Council is an opportunity to contribute to the support and development of veteran initiatives and projects that can make our state more resilient to current challenges and help the country’s economic recovery after the war. I am glad that the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation is exactly the platform that attracts competent and qualified experts with diverse experience and expertise from various fields and unites them under one slogan: care, support and development of veterans’ opportunities. Since I am familiar with the specifics of building and expanding a business in Ukraine, understand the problems and needs of business today, it is important for me to contribute to the stability and development of the country and to the development of the veteran movement by joining the Expert Council,” says Maria.

Vitalii Masyuk is a co-founder and managing partner of ASBG Systems, a company specializing in innovative solutions in business intelligence and computer systems management, and a resident of Diia.City.

Vitalii Masyuk has been specializing in accounting and management consulting for 20 years, and for the last six years has been focusing on digitalization and automation of accounting processes, evaluation of investment programs in the processing and agricultural sectors.

Vitalii has a master’s degree in management, specialized education in accounting, and has acquired additional competencies in IT project management and business process optimization.

He is a member of the Public Anti-Corruption Council at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and a member of the NGO “NEW HONEST UKRAINE”. He specializes in social and human resources policy of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, advocacy for the rights of military personnel and veterans.

As a postgraduate student of the Department of Public Administration and Project Management at the University of Education Management of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, he focuses his academic interest and research on the issues of social protection of combatants and the mechanism of their provision.

“The value of the “VARTO Start Your Own Business” program is the quality reintegration of veterans. We need to expand the focus from thanking veterans for their invaluable service to creating conditions for their successful transition to the civilian sector. I believe that this is not only a moral obligation to our defenders, but also a strategic step to preserve and support the spirit of the nation. Financial support for veteran businesses helps restore their dignity and self-esteem, make them feel useful to society, and open up new horizons in civilian life,” explains Vitalii Masyuk on what motivated him to join the Expert Council of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

It should be noted that the three experts were selected from among 21 candidates in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations on the Expert Councils of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation and the Regulations on the Commission for the Selection of Experts to the Expert Councils. The Expert Council is now beginning to process the project applications submitted for the “VARTO Start Your Own Business” competition.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has closed the application process for the contest VARTO Start Your Own Business. A total of 219 applications were received.

Today, this is a record number of applicants, so we are immediately moving on to the next stage – technical selection.

We remind you that this year, veterans and their families can receive from UAH 500,000 to UAH 1.5 million from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation to develop their own business.

Here are the stages of the competitive selection of projects:

41% of Ukrainians surveyed assume that they may become a veteran in the future, while 53% share the opposite opinion.

These are the results of the fourth nationwide survey “Image of Veterans in Ukrainian Society” conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” in cooperation with the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Geography of respondents

Residents of the western regions, the youngest respondents, men, and those with relatives and friends who have fought since 2014 and up to now are most likely to talk about the possibility of becoming a veteran.

“Particular attention should be paid to the disturbing trend of declining trust in ATO/JFO veterans, according to the survey. This may indicate the growing stigmatization of veterans and potentially deepening problems with their socialization and adaptation. If this trend continues, we may witness similar scenarios for veterans currently at war after they return home,” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, acting executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Despite the increase in the number of families with people who are fighting, the survey shows a decrease in the level of absolute trust of the civilian population in veterans of various categories and the military.

“76% of respondents believe that society today respects veterans. At the same time, compared to the survey in September 2023, their number has hardly changed (in September, it was 79%). Today, 18% share the opposite opinion. The number of such people is higher among the residents of the western regions and young people,” emphasized Lyubomyr Misiv, Deputy Director of the Sociological Group “Rating”.

Problems veterans will face

67% of Ukrainians believe that one of the main problems for veterans will be misunderstanding by society. At the same time, a survey conducted by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation in January 2024 among veterans showed that 63.3% of veterans would face misunderstanding from society.

“We regularly conduct nationwide surveys among the civilian population and analyze the needs and attitudes of veterans. We are currently witnessing an increase in the stigmatization of defenders. For example, according to the results of a nationwide survey, 86% of Ukrainians believe that veterans will face psycho-emotional instability, while the latest analysis of veterans’ attitudes shows that only 50.5% of veterans consider this problem likely,” says Yulia Kirillova, head of the educational and analytical department of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

More details on the survey can be found on the website of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

The survey was conducted on March 2-5, 2024. The sample is representative in terms of age, gender and type of settlement. Sample population: 1000 respondents. Survey method: CATI. The error of representativeness of the survey with a confidence level of 0.95: no more than 3.1%.