Reintegrating into peaceful life, finding a new place in the community, a job, or emotional support is a true challenge for veterans. That is where the Development of the Public Sector of Ukraine Public Organization steps in. Within the Varto: Enannia 2.0 Grant Competition, supported by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation and co-financed by the Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia with financial support from Norway and Sweden, the organization implemented the ‘Forge of Skills for Veterans’ Project.
This was more than just a series of events; it became a platform, a point of support for hundreds of veterans. Five large-scale forums brought together over 500 participants, including veterans, their families, community representatives, employers, and local authorities. The Project’s Facebook page published 45 informational materials, generating over 560 reposts, which demonstrated strong public interest and demand for the topic of veteran reintegration.
The forums became a catalyst for real change, opening dialogue between veterans, government officials, employment services, businesses, and communities. Veterans asked direct questions about benefits, taxes, and rehabilitation, and launched advocacy initiatives.
Like Yevhenii Stepanov, Head of the Ternopil Regional Union of Combatants and Veterans with Disabilities, presented an appeal to central authorities advocating for better veteran welfare, which received wide support from forum participants. Ruslan Babiak, Director of the Veteran Development Center of the Ternopil City Council, suggested introducing a ‘Defender of Ukraine’ certificate for those who do not have official combatant status. Meanwhile, Taras Shevchuk, a veteran and entrepreneur, initiated amendments to the Tax Code to create benefits for veteran-owned businesses.
The project also became an incubator of partnerships with rehabilitation centers, veteran hubs, and local communities. Among them:
• Event for veterans and their families held in Halytska territorial community.
• In Lviv, the Development of the Public Sector of Ukraine Public Organization team and the Maltese Aid Service organized a meeting at a rehabilitation center.
• In Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, training was launched to prepare veterans to operate agricultural drones.
One of the Project’s remarkable outcomes was the launch of the ‘Stal-Bukovyna’, a football club for veterans with amputations, which began training in Chernivtsi and plans to hold its first national championship.
The VetRestart page introduced a popular section, ‘From the Frontline to Your Own Business’, highlighting veteran businesses. These posts gain thousands of reactions and comments, inspiring others to start their ventures.
But the most valuable outcomes are the people’s stories:
• Oleksandr Koshovyi, a veteran and Director of the Bukovyna Veteran Hub, moderated a forum discussion for the first time and has since become a regular moderator and community expert.
• Oleksandr Tkachuk, a veteran and entrepreneur, became a public figure, growing his own brand and promoting veteran entrepreneurship.
• Veterans Yurii Bidyuk and Kostiantyn Katula prepared their own grant proposal to develop veteran sports.
‘Forge of Skills for Veterans’ Project has become a powerful platform for community growth, combining learning, communication, support, and inspiration.
The Varto: Ednannia 2.0 competition is implemented by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, co-funded by Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine − a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden.
