Project insights from our team

“During the program, you will gain the skills and frameworks necessary to overcome obstacles, advance your vision, and make a meaningful impact. Centered around three content pillars, this program is uniquely designed to develop the capacities of the next generation of leaders. ERSTE Foundation is proud to contribute to building a community of individuals committed to fostering positive change in Ukraine.”

Yana Barinova, Program Director, European policies and Ukraine в ERSTE Foundation

“Sometimes, it seems wrong to think about the future during the war. Yet paradoxically, this is exactly the time to think about the future, imagine it, construct it, and work on it. Ukraine today is a place of immense suffering and courage, but it is also a place of thinking. Sometimes, it is in the darkness that you see things with remarkable clarity.”

Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher, writer, analytics director at Internews Ukraine, Editor-in-Chief at UkraineWorld, lecturer at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and president of PEN Ukraine.

“We all need visionaries, people with broad horizons and open-minded people. People who are rooted in Ukrainian identity but open to global trends and opportunities.”

Andriy Kulakov, Program Director of NGO Internews Ukraine.

“The greatest wealth of the country is its people. Investing in human capital today is an effective strategy for the economic recovery and future development of Ukraine.”

Oleksandra Demianenko, PhD in Political Science, Academic Program Lead.

“In Ukraine, there's a growing necessity to transition from mere geopolitical aspirations of being 'a country with a European future' to a nuanced comprehension of the European Union. This course is dedicated to addressing this challenge.”

Roman Kobets, Candidate of Philosophy, Advisor to the Head of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC).

“The uniqueness of our program lies in recognizing the distinction, interconnectedness, and essential need for nurturing both individual leaders and the ongoing evolution of leadership development itself.”

Nataliia Kryvda, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.

The Uniqueness of the program

Certification

After successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate (180 hours, 6 ECTS credits).

Community

You will meet leading Ukrainian and international experts, including diplomats, scholars, economists, civil society leaders, and entrepreneurs, and become part of a strong community of change-makers.

Practicality

With mentors' support, you will develop projects that contribute to European integration and Ukraine‘s development.

Speakers

What awaits participants?

Over eight months of study, participants will deepen their knowledge in leadership and values, European integration and public policy, innovation, digital transformation and social change. They can look forward to more than 45 lectures and practical sessions led by Ukrainian and international experts, study visits, work on team projects, and the chance to join a community of young leaders and changemakers from across Ukraine.

The learning modules are led by Nataliia Kryvda — Doctor of Philosophy and Professor at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, heading the "Leadership and Values" module — and Roman Kobets — Candidate of Philosophical Sciences and an expert in public administration and European integration, heading the "European Integration and Public Policy" module.

The format combines online classes twice a week, offline events in Ukraine, and a study visit to Vienna. On successful completion of the programme, participants receive a certificate.

How to apply?

To take part, complete the application form in Ukrainian by 26 July at the following link: https://forms.gle/Aa56maqMxpNRupF3A.

After the first selection stage, candidates will be invited to short interviews in English. Assessment will consider education, professional experience, as well as community involvement and volunteering, English proficiency, and motivation.