In the words of Svitlana Fedorova: "I have the right to do what inspires me"

Svitlana Fedorova is a 52-year-old Ukrainian woman from the city of Zolochiv in the Lviv region, who lost her business due to the war in Ukraine. Thanks to her participation in the Women For The Future initiative's mentorship program, she created the inclusive startup Dance FreeMotion.

Before joining the program, Svitlana already had diverse professional experience from working at the scientific and technical library of the Sievierodonetsk Azot association to 10 years in entrepreneurship and network marketing. She is also a certified Zumba® and Zumba Gold trainer, catering to seniors and individuals with disabilities. However, after the full-scale war in Ukraine began and the Oriflame office in Ukraine closed, Svitlana lost the business she had been running for over 10 years and needed support in finding new opportunities for professional fulfillment.

"Before the full-scale war, I was a director at Oriflame, had a team, an office, and experience in business. But the war destroyed everything. I lost that partnership, the people around me, and the hardest part was my internal state, when I had no energy to communicate, no motivation, no faith in myself."

Svitlana found herself at a reset point, realizing there was no going back, but the new direction was not yet clear.

"I knew for sure I couldn’t go back to being employed, because I’m an entrepreneur at heart. But I also didn’t want to return to network marketing. I needed a pause and a new sense of purpose."

From her very first meeting with her mentor, it became clear that the focus of their work would be not only on developing her own business but also on her professional identity.

"We started with where I was as a person and a professional at that moment. We analyzed my experience, previous path, as well as the fears and inner doubts that were preventing me from believing in my project."

During the mentorship program, Svitlana rethought her calling: "I saw how women came alive through dance. But after the war began, I noticed how many people had lost the ability to move freely, due to injuries, prosthetics, or psychological trauma. Despite this, their bodies still need life, breath, rhythm, and energy. I felt: my calling is to create movement that is accessible to everyone. Even while sitting. Without judgment. Without fear. Without pain."

Her inner search and transformative experience gradually formed the foundation for her future project, Dance FreeMotion, an adaptive dance-movement therapy in a seated position, combining elements of Zumba, breathing techniques, gentle movements, and emotional support.

"With my mentor, we talked about why I want to do this project, what makes it special for me, and how it connects with my values. I was searching for a form where my knowledge, empathy, and experience could have social power. And this format — very alive, embodied, accessible — became the answer."

Thanks to the program, Svitlana not only shaped the idea but also brought it into practice. With the help of a partner opportunity, the ID Accelerator program, she conducted in-depth interviews with her project’s target audience, developed a product vision, created a pitch deck, presented the project to investors, and received funding.

"People’s reaction was emotional and warm. This is needed. It’s not about dancing; it’s about healing and dignity."

However, the biggest transformation happened within Svitlana herself: "For the first time, I saw myself as a creator. Not just a trainer. But as someone who can build something of her own. My mindset shifted from ‘maybe I can’ to ‘I have the right and the power to act.’"

Among Svitlana’s next steps are developing a full-scale online platform, forming partnerships with veterans' hubs, and bringing Dance FreeMotion to the national level.

“In the long term, I see Dance FreeMotion as an inclusive platform that redefines recovery, embodiment, and joy in life, especially for those who have experienced trauma or loss.”

Svitlana believes it is never too late to start. The key is giving yourself a chance.

"Each of us has our own time to bloom. Sometimes you need to walk a long road to finally hear yourself. Don’t listen to the voice that says, ‘it’s too late.’ Because what matters most isn’t your age, but how alive you feel."

This publication has been created as part of the Women For The Future initiative, which is implemented by Happy Monday (NGO "Professionals of the Future") within the UN Women project titled "Transformational Approaches to Achieving Gender Equality in Ukraine." This project is funded by the Government of Sweden and is in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Financial support for the initiative is also provided by the Government of France.