Category: News

The unemployment rate among Ukrainian veterans has risen to 30.95%. This is evidenced by the survey “Current Needs and Vision of Opportunities for Career and Professional Growth of Veterans in Ukraine” presented by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

For comparison, in 2023, 28% of veterans said they were unemployed. During the year, the unemployment rate among defenders increased by almost 3%.

Veterans are trying to integrate into different areas of employment. Among them, the most popular are self-employment (8.31%), civil service (7.45%), service sector (5.44%), IT (4.3%), and the public sector (4.3%). However, the search for jobs for veterans is currently accompanied by a number of problems, including stereotypes on the part of employers and limited opportunities for retraining.

“Veterans see the biggest obstacle to future employment not in the level of salary. They are worried about physical health problems (63.61%), lack of understanding from society (63.32%) and psychological difficulties (50.57%),” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, acting executive director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

50.1% of veterans want to start their own business, which indicates the need to support entrepreneurial initiatives.

“For the career and professional growth of veterans in Ukraine, there is a need for a comprehensive approach that includes training, work environment, and psychological support for veterans,” says Dmytro Martynenko, veteran, active duty military, entrepreneur, winner of the VARTO 2.0 project competition.

The survey was conducted between January 15 and 25, 2024, among veterans and active military personnel about their current needs and vision of opportunities for career and professional growth in Ukraine. A total of 1043 respondents took part in the survey. The results of the survey are not representative, but they do reflect the current mood and certain trends among the target audience.

Survey among veterans: half of the surveyed veterans want to develop their own business.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation presents the results of its latest research, which focuses on identifying the current needs and challenges faced by Ukrainian veterans in the process of adapting to civilian life and finding ways to develop professionally. The study, conducted through an anonymous online survey, reveals important insights into veterans’ career ambitions, support needs and visions of improving the work of specialized state institutions.

Key findings of the study:

• Career ambitions: 50.14% of the surveyed veterans expressed a desire to develop their own business, while only 10% preferred to be employed.
• Challenges in the field of employment: The biggest challenge for veterans is mental health (71.14%), followed by insufficient salary (68.94%). They are less concerned about their physical condition and the lack of vacancies in their place of residence.
• Improving the work of state institutions: Veterans pointed out the need to reduce bureaucracy, focus on veterans’ needs, improve accessibility of information about services, quality of service, expand service offerings and implement digitalization.

The results of the study will be presented at the Ukrinform News Agency on February 13, 2024 at 11 AM, where further steps to improve support for veterans will be discussed.

Participants:

• Svitlana Kashenets, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine
• Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation
• Vidadi Israfilov, veteran, entrepreneur, winner of the project competition “VARTO: Support for Veteran Businesses” project from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation
• Dmytro Martynenko, veteran, active duty military, entrepreneur, winner of the “VARTO 2.0” project competition

Venue: 8/16 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St., Kyiv, room 1.

Accreditation of journalists is required: https://cutt.ly/0wX9791c

The broadcast will also be available online in English.

Integration of veterans into the labor market is key to economic development. The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation participated in a meeting with leading Ukrainian employers. The participants discussed current needs and challenges in the employment of veterans.

The event, initiated by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs with the support of Work.ua, brought together about 100 participants. Among the attendees were representatives of HR, HRD, and heads of Ukrainian national and international companies. There were also those who are already working or planning to employ veterans or provide retraining and employment opportunities.

Karina Doroshenko, Deputy Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, presented important aspects and challenges in the issue of employment based on the Foundation’s research:

30.95% of veterans who are not currently serving in the Ukrainian Defense Forces have faced unemployment. Veterans are trying to integrate into a variety of employment sectors, with the most common being self-employment (8.31%), civil service (7.45%), services (5.44%), IT (4.3%), and the public sector (4.3%). These data show a wide range of interests and competencies among veterans, as well as their desire to find applications for their skills in civilian life.

The problem of unemployment among veterans in Ukraine requires consolidated efforts to create conditions for effective integration of veterans into the labor market. Therefore, the meeting was an important component of establishing a dialogue and cooperation between the state and business on the issue of veterans’ employment and adaptation.

As for the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation, it is working on developing tools to support the employment of veterans with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. And on February 13, we will present the full results of the survey “Current needs and vision of opportunities for career and professional growth of veterans in Ukraine”, which will be useful for both employers and those who work with veterans.

Since its inception, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has been striving to provide veterans with additional opportunities and resources for successful reintegration into civilian life. We work in a variety of areas, from providing financial support for veterans’ entrepreneurial initiatives to helping them restore their mental and physical health.

Over the course of two years, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has managed to:

• support a total of 508 veteran entrepreneurial initiatives and projects of NGOs;
• support 176 veteran entrepreneurship projects and projects of NGOs for veterans for UAH 293,768,420;
• provide 332 veterans and their family members with a total of UAH 6,436,852 in one-time financial assistance (up to UAH 20,000 each) to help them create the right conditions for entrepreneurial or independent professional activities;
• establish a crisis support hotline for veterans, military personnel and their families together with partners. To date, nearly 21,000 calls have been processed and 89 weekly support groups have been held;
• conduct a number of sociological research and public opinion polls, the results of which have become an important source of information for the development and implementation of state policy to support veterans, help raise public awareness of veterans’ issues and develop effective mechanisms to support them;
• introduce the possibility of receiving individual written legal advice on issues of interest to veterans and the military; More than 1,500 thousand appeals in 2023.
• launch an interactive map of veteran businesses together with partners LUN and Uklon. Anyone who wants to support veteran entrepreneurship can find the closest institution on the map and visit it;
• organize 12 lectures on business development, brand building, artificial intelligence in communications, teamwork, etc. for the community of veterans who are winners of our VARTO competition programs
• become a member of the organizing team for the preparation of the Ukrainian team for the United States Air Force Trials 2024 competition to be held in the United States in March 2024. We have joined the all-Ukrainian qualifying competitions among veterans and active military personnel and will accompany our team in international competitions;
• implement educational projects for veterans: English language courses, IT courses, an online course for veterans “Returning from War: Body, Mind, Society” in partnership with UCU, and in cooperation with the Patients of Ukraine Charitable Foundation and Dignitas Fund, a course called “Fly” aimed at teaching veterans to fly drones.

And this is only a visible part of what we have been working on these two years. The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation will continue to do everything possible to ensure that as many veterans as possible can do what they love, and that society understands and supports them on their way back home.

Integration through veteran business: members of parliament, together with the relevant ministries, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation as well as veteran entrepreneurs, discussed mechanisms and means to help defenders reintegrate through their own business.

The relevant developments were presented at a meeting of the Committee on Social Policy and Veterans’ Rights. In particular, they discussed the draft law “On Veteran Entrepreneurship” and the mechanisms for employing veterans.

“Our goal is to ensure that the opportunities for financing veteran businesses are secured not only at the level of bylaws, but also at the level of the law. All these opportunities should be set forth in the law “On Veteran Entrepreneurship,” says Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

According to the deputy minister, as of today, 116 female and male veterans have received business development grants from the Ministry of Economy in the amount of up to UAH 1 million. UAH 109 million has been allocated for grants for veteran businesses in 2024.

“The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has two programs to support veteran businesses: reimbursement of expenses (20 thousand) and competitive programs (from 500 thousand to 3 million UAH). Our experience shows that we need to stimulate veteran businesses and support them to make them legal. We need to demonstrate that it is not difficult to work with the state, you just need to follow the rules. In addition, by stimulating veteran businesses, we can reduce unemployment among veterans, because very often veterans employ veterans,” said Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation.

Since October 2022 and by the end of 2023, the Foundation has supported 508 veteran-owned businesses. The projects that won the VARTO competition amounted to almost UAH 293.8 million, and UAH 6.4 million was paid to veteran businesses under the reimbursement program.

“IREX has been involved in the work on the draft law from the very beginning. We have to take a clear and balanced approach to the opinions of all stakeholders, especially if we are talking about the veteran community. Because there is nothing for us without us. All our activities to support veteran businesses should be aimed at increasing the state budget, as it allocates funds for defense. A veteran who is an individual entrepreneur needs support. At the same time, they must make a choice whether to use or not to use these opportunities,” says Kostyantyn Tatarkin, a veteran and representative of the international organization IREX.

During the committee meeting, the importance of access to business financing opportunities for the families of the victims was emphasized. Participants also discussed the need to introduce business-related educational projects for the families of fallen soldiers.

The main points of the draft law “On Veteran Entrepreneurship”:

• Special tax conditions to stimulate entrepreneurship.
• Prioritized involvement of veteran businesses in the implementation of scientific, technical, social and economic programs.
• Lending and other loans.
• Professional development for veteran businesses.
• Simplification of licensing procedures for veteran businesses.
• Promotion of works and services of veteran businesses to foreign markets.
• Attracting international investment in veteran business projects.
• Stimulating the development of social entrepreneurship.

“It is necessary to approach the finalization of the draft law ‘On Veteran Entrepreneurship’ with a constructive approach. We need to create opportunities for veterans, not for some personal, backstage goals,” said Yulia Kovalenko, a member of the working group that worked on the draft law “On Veteran Entrepreneurship.”

Psychological support for veterans is an integral part of their adaptation to a new stage of life. To ensure that veterans and their families are not left alone with their emotions, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has launched a Crisis Support Hotline.

After returning home, a new path opens up for combat veterans. They face new trials, new challenges and new learning. The sudden change of environment, the experience and the question “What’s next?” have a significant impact on the emotional state of a person.

Psychological support for veterans provided by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation has two main directions:

• Every Sunday we meet for online sessions to discuss our feelings and problems. It is a circle of like-minded people where everyone understands each other’s experience.
• The Foundation’s hotline operates around the clock and is free of charge. Our specialists provide psychological support to veterans, as well as to their families and people who feel anxious about the shelling and events in the country and cannot cope with their emotions on their own.

The Hotline specialists are qualified psychologists who have received special training in crisis assistance and support. Each of them has extensive practical experience.

A new video by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation on psychological support for veterans demonstrates that every new step is a new challenge. We are ready to support veterans and their families at every stage of their new life.

The Hotline specialists are qualified psychologists who have received special training in crisis assistance and support. Each of them has extensive practical experience.

A new video by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation on psychological support for veterans demonstrates that every new step is a new challenge. We are ready to support veterans and their families at every stage of their new life.

The Crisis Support Hotline is a first-response service for veterans, their families and all Ukrainians in difficult situations.

+380800332029 – the line is free and operates 24/7.

This project was made possible by the Ukraine Rapid Response Fund program, implemented by IREX in Ukraine with the support of the U.S. Department of State.

Ukraine’s national team, which includes Ukrainian veterans and military personnel, will take part in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 international adaptive sports competition. The competition will take place in March in Las Vegas, USA.

The team recently completed a training camp, and the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine met with the team members. During the meeting with Yulia Laputina, the national team representatives discussed the development of adaptive sports in the regions. They also discussed the importance of applying scientific methods and technologies of adaptive sports, involving psychologists in the rehabilitation of veterans and the military, etc.

“I am proud that you have joined and gone through this very difficult selection process and joined the national team. A lot of interesting, but at the same time difficult things are waiting for you. This path is not only about self-improvement and raising your quality of life, but it is also about the opportunity to represent Ukraine in the world. We are repelling the enemy with dignity and winning victories on the frontline, but we also value the sporting victories of veterans,” the Minister said.

Yulia Laputina also emphasized that the veterans and active military who will participate in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 also have a diplomatic mission. They will tell their partners in the United States about Ukraine’s needs, which are necessary to bring our victory closer.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is involved in organizing the participation of the national team in the United States Air Force Trials 2024 international sports competitions. It should be noted that the reintegration of veterans through sports is one of the areas that the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation is actively working on.

“We are convinced that sport is a powerful tool for psychological and physical rehabilitation of veterans. It is an effective means of socialization and reintegration of veterans into society. The projects of rehabilitation of veterans through physical activity, which we have financially supported under the VARTO programs, show amazing results. That’s why we will continue to work to create the conditions under which every veteran can find their place in society. In particular, through sports, and to receive the necessary support,” says Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

A veteran’s path home can take different routes. One of them is through sports. For many veterans returning to civilian life after being wounded, sport allows them not only to feel the joy of movement, but also to fulfill themselves.

Uklon and OKKO have launched an inclusive taxi in Lviv for veterans who use wheelchairs. The project was supported by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

Thanks to specially equipped vehicles, residents and guests of Lviv who use a wheelchair will be able to get to the desired address quickly and easily.

The Inclusive cars are equipped with a hydraulic or mechanical lift, a ramp, special seat belts, and fasteners for fixing the wheelchair. To call an adapted car, you need to enter the desired route and select the appropriate class in the Uklon app.

Rides can be booked both within Lviv and on the outskirts of the city – up to a radius of 20 kilometers.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation sees supporting such initiatives not only as creating new opportunities for people with disabilities, but also as a value-based partnership: in this way, we are helping our veterans return to civilian life together.

“We appreciate our cooperation with Uklon, an example of a conscious business. Our partners, who share a common idea and mission with us, are acting now, without waiting for the time ‘after the victory’. That’s why we are proud to stand next to people who are working for practical results right now,” said Ruslana Velychko-Tryfoniuk, Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

Uklon launched an inclusive taxi in Kyiv and the suburbs last April. According to Uklon CEO Serhiy Hryshkov, the first six months of operation of this class of cars showed that this service is very much needed. Since then, users have made more than 5,000 trips.

“We managed to create a comfortable and affordable way of urban transportation for people who use wheelchairs. We are very grateful to our partner OKKO, who decided to support us in this launch. Lviv is our first step towards scaling the project to other regions of Ukraine. We create comfort for everyone: inclusive, convenient, and simple,” said Serhiy Hryshkov.

Earlier, within the framework of the partnership, Uklon Inclusive and the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation launched a special project “Stubborn People” — stories of Ukrainian veterans in wheelchairs.

In almost two years of operation, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs continues to gain momentum and has already supported 508 veteran entrepreneurial initiatives and projects of public organizations.

In 2023, the Foundation provided funding for veteran entrepreneurial initiatives totaling more than UAH 187 million, including 183 under the #VARTO project. In addition, another 4 million was allocated to reimburse costs to create conditions for the integration of veterans and their families by providing one-time financial assistance.

In 2023, veterans’ projects that won the Foundation’s competitive programs received funding of more than UAH 293 million, including thanks to the contribution of international partners, including the Razom for Ukraine Charitable Foundation.

In 2024, the Foundation will support veteran entrepreneurial initiatives for UAH 205 million. Starting in February, the Foundation plans to announce project competitions, which opens up opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs and their families, as well as families of fallen heroes.

In 2024, the Foundation started with new educational projects that we are implementing together with partners. And then we plan to increase the number of successful veteran entrepreneurial initiatives that will become active points on our Veteran Business Map.

The Ukrainian Veterans Foundation continues its mission of supporting veterans and their families, families of fallen heroes, providing them with opportunities for development and reintegration not only in entrepreneurship, but also in social activities, education, and reintegration through physical and psychological activity.

Veterans, active-duty military personnel, the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation invites you to take an online survey of veterans about your current needs and vision of opportunities for career and professional growth.

We want to know:

⬤ What professional development options you would like to choose in civilian life;
⬤ What challenges and obstacles you may face in doing so;
⬤ How effective, in your opinion, are the state institutions that are supposed to facilitate the professional and career development of veterans in civilian life, and what needs to be improved in the work of such institutions.

In your opinion, how effective are the state institutions that are supposed to facilitate the professional and career development of veterans in civilian life, and what needs to be improved in the work of such institutions? It is to clarify these issues that we have created a survey of veterans on their current professional needs.

To take part in the survey, please answer the questions in the questionnaire here.

The survey is completely anonymous.

It should be noted that the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation systematically studies the needs of female and male veterans: last November, the Foundation presented the results of the online survey “Portrait of a Veteran“, and in June-July, it analyzed the needs and obstacles to employment of veterans.

At that time, the survey showed that during the full-scale war, unfavorable conditions for veterans’ employment were also created in the Ukrainian labor market. According to Work.ua, there were more than 100,000 vacancies on the platform before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the invasion, the number of vacancies has decreased by more than 10 times. A third of businesses have completely or almost completely stopped operating. Competition for job seekers has increased more than five times.

Starting in April 2022, the labor market began a gradual recovery and reached its peak in October 2022 with 56,719 vacancies.

Adapting to the new changes, the Ukrainian labor market entered the new year of 2023 with record-breaking performance. In May 2023, the number of job offers on Work.ua crossed the 90,000 mark, which was 90% of the pre-war level. As for the competition among job seekers, it has already reached the pre-war level.

All analytics are here.