The full-scale war has brought immense loss and pain to Ukrainian women. Yet it has also posed a profound challenge — to start anew. To change careers, build businesses from scratch, reclaim a sense of stability, and regain control over their lives. It was at this intersection of need and resilience that the idea for the Dream & Achieve educational program was born — an initiative that became a safe launchpad for many women facing hardship.

Designed for internally displaced women who lost their jobs, businesses, or sources of income due to the war, the program empowers participants to create or scale online businesses. Upon completion, each participant receives financial support of $1,000 USD. The initiative was implemented by the NGO Impact Force in partnership with UN Women, with support from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, the national Diia.Business project, and funding from the governments of Iceland and France.

This year marked the second edition of the program. More than 2,500 women applied — triple the number from last year — and 80 were selected, each with a powerful personal story and a deep motivation to start over. Some lost their homes, some their businesses, and many their sense of self-worth. The program gave them all a chance at a new beginning.

Over three months of intensive training, participants gained essential skills in entrepreneurship, financial planning, digital sales, marketing, and working with online platforms.

According to preliminary participant surveys:

• 91% of participants feel more confident in launching or growing their online businesses.
• 76% either already have a registered business or plan to register one soon.
• 56% have found their first customers or increased their customer base by at least 1.5 times.
• 40% have made their first profits or seen their income grow during the program.

The program culminated in an emotional and inspiring Demo Day. Ten finalists presented their business ideas and personal stories, showcasing their transformation from the beginning of the course to the launch of their ventures. The event also featured an open discussion with business leaders and entrepreneurs from SoftServe, Jerelia, and MustHave, who shared insights, experiences, and advice on building businesses, professional growth, and creating support ecosystems for women in business.

A unique aspect of Dream & Achieve is the diversity of ventures launched or scaled through the program. These include an inclusive design studio, artisanal production of clothing, hats, jewellery, accessories, home decor, toys, and desserts. Participants also represented the beauty industry, yoga and fitness studios, educational platforms, meditation centres, and photography services that help women reconnect with their inner strength. Other projects include a law firm, event agency, graphic design studio, socially-minded coffee shop, cleaning service, and a machine plastering business.

According to Impact Force co-founder Nina Levchuk, the most valuable outcome of the program was not only the knowledge gained, but the internal transformation participants experienced:

“The greatest success isn’t in financial spreadsheets, but in the spark in their eyes. When a woman who yesterday didn’t know where to begin is today talking about scaling her brand — that’s the real achievement.”

“Women-led entrepreneurship plays a vital role during war and in economic recovery. While Ukraine rebuilds, these businesses create jobs, provide financial stability, and foster innovation and resilience within communities. These entrepreneurs bring new solutions, support social enterprises and civil society, and drive local economic growth. Dream & Achieve was not just an educational journey, but a bridge to new opportunities, ambitions, and successes. At UN Women, we firmly believe that investing in women’s entrepreneurship is an investment in the future. It’s our message to every woman in Ukraine: ‘Of course, you can!’” – Sabine Fraser Gunes, Representative of UN Women in Ukraine

“I’m incredibly grateful to the program — it’s been truly transformative! So much knowledge, so many insights. At first, everything felt overwhelming, but now I know I’m on the right path. I came in with one idea and discovered my true calling — something I’m passionate about. That brought me a sense of harmony, confidence, and inspiration. I’m building my business from scratch, and I already have my first sales and a queue for pre-orders — and this is only the beginning. My new life started here.”
– Liudmyla Mishchenko, participant and founder of the fashion brand “Z.LYUKA”

Partners supporting the final event included SoftServe, Unilever, Jerelia, Laba, Digital Data Consulting, MustHave, and Art Bro, with media support from Ukrainky, Rubryka, and Womo.ua.

“We believe that beauty should be a source of confidence, not anxiety. Dove’s mission is to boost women’s self-esteem and help them realise their full potential. That’s why we’re always proud to support initiatives like Dream & Achieve that provide women with real opportunities for growth.”
– Alina Dyumina, Marketing Manager, Personal Care, Unilever Ukraine

Today, as Ukraine fights for its freedom, every new women-led business represents a step toward economic resilience, a means of supporting families, communities, and the nation — and proof that even in the darkest times, it is still possible to dream, act, and achieve.