80 Ukrainian women entrepreneurs embark on their business transformation journey with the launch of the "Dream and Achieve" program

80 women entrepreneurs and guests gathered during the Dream and Achieve kick-off in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Impact Force/Oleksandr Piliugin

The second season of the "Dream and Achieve" educational program has officially kicked off, empowering Ukrainian women entrepreneurs — many of whom are internally displaced — to rebuild or grow their businesses online. The program offers participants invaluable knowledge, mentorship, and financial support to help them unlock new opportunities for creating and scaling their businesses.

The opening ceremony, held in Kyiv in mid-December, brought together participants from both seasons, mentors, organizers, and representatives from public and private organizations.

Implemented by Impact Force in collaboration with UN Women, the program is supported by Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Office for Entrepreneurship Development and Export, and the Diia.Business initiative with financial support from the governments of Iceland and France.

This year, the program saw an unprecedented response, with applications tripling compared to last year. Out of over 2,500 applications, 80 women from across Ukraine were selected, with priority given to those directly impacted by the war, including internally displaced people, single mothers, veterans, minorities, and others from vulnerable groups.

Participant highlights:

• 100% are internally displaced people.
• 80% are military family members or have lost loved ones in the war.
• 70% are raising children.
• 70% belong to vulnerable groups.
• 34% already run their own businesses, 37% have business ideas, and 20% are looking for inspiration to start one.

Most participants joined the program with a shared ambition: to contribute to Ukraine’s recovery through entrepreneurship, create meaningful initiatives for themselves and their communities, and find support and guidance to grow their businesses.

"Dream and Achieve" offers a three-month training course featuring 13 online modules on topics like digital marketing, business strategy, and socially responsible business models. Participants also benefit from personalized mentorship and receive $1,000 in financial assistance upon completing the program.

“Dream and Achieve is more than a program; it’s an ecosystem. It fosters a space where women entrepreneurs can grow, learn, and collaborate while contributing to Ukraine’s economic and social recovery. For example, Yulia Yaroshenko, a participant last season, has developed her own brand and returned this year as a mentor. Many participants from the Impact Business Accelerator have also joined as mentors and experts. Together, we’re building a vibrant community of entrepreneurs from across Ukraine who share experiences, form partnerships, and thrive. While we focus on supporting women affected by the war, our ultimate mission is to help rebuild Ukraine, where women will play a pivotal role,” said Nina Levchuk, co-founder of Impact Force.

“It is a great privilege for UN Women to launch the second wave of the Dream and Achieve program, a powerful initiative designed to support women entrepreneurs in Ukraine. We received over two thousand applications, an overwhelming response that highlights its importance. Every day, we witness a remarkable force encouraging us to look toward the future and pursue success. However, we also observe that securing employment has become more challenging for women since the full-scale invasion. There has been a rise in female unemployment and an increasing pay gap between men and women, even among those who are employed. Despite these challenges, we see a silver lining: women are increasingly starting their businesses. Currently, one in every two new businesses is founded by women, and this entrepreneurial spirit gives us hope. For UN Women, it is truly inspiring to witness the strength and resilience of Ukrainian women, especially in the face of the ongoing large-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. We stand in solidarity with the incredible women entrepreneurs participating in this initiative and look forward to supporting them on their journey,” said Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine.

Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine, and Nina Levchuk, co-founder of Impact Force. Photo: Impact Force/Oleksandr Piliugin

“France is actively involved with UN Women and the Impact Force. It is crucial to focus not only on women's issues but also on women's empowerment. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides funding to various institutions, including UN Women, and the Embassy of France also works with the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry which strongly supports women in business. We recognize the significant energy among Ukrainian women, and seeing their preparation for the future is inspiring,” said Frederic Rousseau, Cooperation Attaché – Humanitarian of the Embassy of France in Ukraine.

In 2023, over 3,000 people completed the "Dream and Achieve" course independently, while 80 women participated in the full mentorship program.

Yulia Yaroshenko, a participant-turned-mentor, reflected: “Last season, I joined as a participant looking for support and opportunities. The knowledge and mentorship I received helped me bring my ideas to life and grow my brand. Now, I’ve returned to help other women do the same. This program isn’t just about learning; it’s a community that inspires transformation.”

Women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in the economic development of Ukraine. Photo: Impact Force/Oleksandr Piliugin

For those who couldn’t join the mentorship track, the 13 online modules on topics like digital marketing, business strategy, and socially responsible practices remain available to everyone. Dive into the course and video lectures through the Diia.Business platform.