A Year on from Ukraine’s Invasion: Reflections from Youth Business Poland on its work with displaced Ukrainians

One year ago to the date, a war struck Ukraine. We promised last year to work together with our network to create a framework where displaced Ukranians could rebuild their lives, businesses and become self- reliant.  Since then, we have been working together with our member Youth Business Poland (YBP) to support young displaced Ukrainians who had to leave their country due to the conflict.  

Together with YBP, we created BEST by Futuremakers, which is funded by Standard Chartered. A year on, YBP reflects on the project that is helping to transform the prospects and livelihoods of displaced Ukrainians.

 ‘At the beginning of 2022 when war struck Ukraine we began a new project, BEST[…]The mission of the project is to help 10,000 people who were forced to flee their country get back on their feet in Poland.’

The war in Ukraine impacted the lives of millions of people, including many young people. At the beginning of 2022 when war struck Ukraine we began a new project, BEST (Business Employability Skills Training) by Futuremakers, which is funded by Standard Chartered, and realised together with Youth Business Poland, Youth Business International in cooperation with Ukrainian House. The mission of the project is to help 10,000 people who were forced to flee their country get back on their feet in Poland. 
 

Youth Business Poland has worked with Ukrainian people to help them find employment or open businesses – develop their business skills, knowledge, and career development by pairing them with employees of Standard Chartered and mentors from various businesses within the community. This was achieved through mentoring and advisory services where participants discuss their thoughts, questions and concerns individually with mentors and senior management volunteers from Standard Chartered. 
  

‘Together we have already supported 5,343 displaced Ukrainians! ‘

With our partners and the biggest migration point, Ukrainian House, we have helped over 1,500 people by giving individual consultations on job searching, setting up a company, and law and regulations. We have built a community of over 400 entrepreneurs who share their challenges with each other and get inspired to act. Through monthly events, webinars, online discussions, business consultation, mentoring and business mixers, we provide entrepreneurs with the support they need to start and grow their businesses.  Together we have already supported 5,343 displaced Ukrainians!  

Businesses apply to us from different industries including beauty, foodtech, IT, marketing and more. We are blessed to help so many ambitious people who suddenly had to change their lives because of the war. Our project is continuing, there is still much to do, and we want to continue supporting many more displaced Ukrainian people. 

Since YBP joined our global network in 2005, we have supported their efforts to deliver mentoring-training programmes which aim to provide complex and effective support to young people so that they can fully develop their potential, create stable businesses and create new jobs. We are proud to continue collaborating with YBP to empower young entrepreneurs around the world. Find out more about YBP here.