The turmoil of a massive invasion has reshaped Ukraine’s demographic landscape. Millions were compelled to evacuate their homes, with women and children being the most affected. Despite these challenges, the resilience and tenacity of Ukrainian women stand undeterred. As of 2023, every second new business in Ukraine is spearheaded by a woman, marking a promising shift in the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Amidst this backdrop, the “Dream and Achieve” program emerges as one of a pivotal initiative aimed at uplifting and empowering displaced Ukrainian women. By recognizing their innate entrepreneurial spirit and potential, the program seeks to provide a platform where these women can transform their dreams into reality. Through focused training, mentoring, and resources, “Dream and Achieve” ensures that the aspirations of these women find the right avenue to flourish.

“Dream and Achieve,” an initiative crafted by Impact Force and UN Women, has garnered significant attention. From 1,300 passionate applications, 80 remarkable women, epitomizing resilience and ambition, have been selected. These finalists, half of whom now reside in Poland while the remainder remain displaced within Ukraine, encompass varied age demographics with a mean age of 39. Their varied academic credentials, with 81% boasting tertiary degrees, showcase their diverse perspectives and enriched experiences.

A special launch event was recently held in the Diia.Business Warsaw space, where participants, mentors, and lecturers came together to mark the beginning of this empowering journey.

The event was held in a mixed format: online and offline. At the presentation of the programme, the participants had the opportunity to meet the organizing team, mentors and lecturers, as well as to learn more about the course and objectives of the training. In addition, much attention was paid to networking, getting to know each other and special training for women aimed at developing confidence and celebrating achievements in the workplace and beyond.

The participants were also greeted with inspirational words by: Nina Levchuk, co-founder of Impact Force; Andriy Remizov, Director of the State Agency “Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development”; Olga Reblyan, Programme Analyst at UN Women; and Natalia Kushnir, Head of the “Dream and Achieve” programme.

Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration, Valeriia Ionan, emphasized, “In these turbulent times, it’s Ukrainian women who are laying the groundwork for our nation’s bright future. They’re not just helping rebuild; they’re driving our country’s sustainable rebirth and digital evolution. We stand firmly with projects that elevate Ukrainian women, and our partnership with UN Women and Impact Force truly reflects this dedication.”

The program is structured with 11 intensive online learning modules, set to commence in September. These modules will delve into areas such as digital marketing, business strategy, and the integration of sustainable, socially responsible business models. The objective is not merely imparting skills but creating avenues for these women to channel their new knowledge into concrete entrepreneurial endeavors.

Sabine Freizer Gunes, UN Women Representative in Ukraine highlights: “Harnessing the power of digital tools and entrepreneurial strategies is pivotal for Ukraine’s recovery. With this program, we’re empowering Ukrainian women to be pivotal players in this transformation, giving them the means to access new markets and drive inclusive gender-responsive recovery”.

Nina Levchuk, co-founder of Impact Force, emphasized the program’s broader impact: “Every statistic has a story. Behind our selected 80 displaced women lie tales of courage, hope, and unyielding determination. This initiative is not just about numbers; it’s about giving these stories the platform and resources they deserve.  We are sowing seeds for a thriving Ukraine, steered by its empowered women.”

“Dream and Achieve” stands as a testament to the unyielding spirit of Ukrainian women and their pivotal role in charting Ukraine’s resurgent journey.

The application process might have concluded, but the real journey of growth and transformation is just beginning.

“Dream & Achieve” is implemented by Impact Force in partnership with UN Women with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and with financial support from the Government of Japan and the Government of Austria. Communication partners are the Business and Export Development Office and the national project Diia.Business.

31.08.2023

Impact Force is excited to announce the opening of a Call for Proposal to select a reputable and experienced partner to collaborate with us. 

Scope of Services Required:

We are looking for a research partner who will help us conduct a survey among the direct beneficiaries of the program “Dream and Achieve”, an educational program to empower displaced Ukrainian women in Ukraine and Poland, that is led by Impact Force, in collaboration with UN Women and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The goal of the survey is to provide an understanding of the role of the digital economy (specifically while gaining new entrepreneurial and digital skills) on the livelihoods of displaced women in Ukraine and Poland, and to capture results of the work with 84 direct beneficiaries of the program.

By understanding their needs and examining existing opportunities, the survey can inform the design and implementation of gender-responsive programs and policies to promote digital opportunities for displaced women. This specifically of interest to non-profit organizations and can affect the future programming and scaling of the existing program to different countries/regions affected by conflict and war.

Here is a brief that explains the details of the survey.

Submission Guidelines:

Interested companies are requested to submit their comprehensive proposals in response to this RFP. The proposal should include the following information:

Timeline:

Submission of Proposals:

Please send your complete proposal in electronic format to email info@theimpactforce.org. 

Selection Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Confidentiality:

All information provided in the proposal will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluation.

Contact information:

Contact person: Olga Diakova, email: olga.diakova@theimpactforce.org

30.08.2023

Impact Force is excited to announce the opening of a Call for Proposal to select a reputable and experienced company in providing beneficiary data management, e-transfer solutions and services to collaborate with us. 

Scope of Services Required:

Based on needs assessment that was developed by Impact Force, the selected company will be expected to provide services with technical and financial support of Dream & Achieve program participants.

Submission Guidelines:

Interested companies are requested to submit their comprehensive proposals in response to this RFP. The proposal should include the following information:

Timeline:

Submission of Proposals:

Please send your complete proposal in electronic format to email info@theimpactforce.org. 

Selection Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Confidentiality:

All information provided in the proposal will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluation.

Contact information:

Contact person: Olga Diakova, email: olga.diakova@theimpactforce.org

03.08.2023

Are you driven by the passion to make a difference? Impact Force, a Ukrainian NGO, is looking to hire a Project Coordinator to join our mission. We specialize in projects that foster social behavior change, supporting a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable economic recovery in Ukraine.

Our efforts align with the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on creating a Healthy & Purpose-Driven Society, Sustainable and Impact Economy, and Strong Governance and Collaboration. 

By joining Impact Force, you’ll be playing a vital role in empowering the next generation of Ukrainian change-makers, working closely with individuals, businesses, communities, and government.

Are you ready to be part of this transformative journey?

Apply now to lead the way in fundraising and partnership at Impact Force. Send your CV to nina.levchuk@theimpactforce.org. The subject of the letter — Project Coordinator.

Project Coordinator

About the job

Do you enjoy thinking strategically, generating ideas, and leading impactful programs? You’re the person we are looking for! Impact Force is a nonprofit working on social and mental behavior change projects with lasting impact. Our team members operate from Ukraine, Germany, Spain and Thailand. We are growing rapidly and need an enthusiastic, experienced, digitally aware applicant to join our team. The ideal candidate is passionate about the nonprofit sector, all things technology, is a creative problem-solver with a proven track record of leading successful mental health and biodiversity related projects.

Key responsibilities

●  Project planning and management: Developing and managing project plans, timelines, and budgets to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet project goals.

●  Team coordination and management: Coordinating project team members and partners, to ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

●  Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring project progress and evaluating project outcomes to ensure the project is meeting its goals and making a positive impact.

●  Reporting and communication: Preparing regular progress reports for project stakeholders, including funders, board members, and other key stakeholders, and communicating project updates and successes to external stakeholders.

●  Risk management: Identifying and managing project risks, including financial, operational, and reputational risks, to ensure the project is successful.

●  Grant writing and fundraising: Researching and writing grant proposals to secure funding for the project, and working with the nonprofit’s fundraising team to identify and secure other sources of funding.

●  Resource allocation: Allocating resources, including funding, staff, and volunteers, to ensure the project has the resources it needs to be successful.

●  Partnership development: Developing and maintaining relationships with partners, including other nonprofits, government agencies, and other stakeholders, to ensure the project is successful and has a broad impact.

Key requirements

●  Experience working on programs related to mental health and biodiversity.

●  Experience working in multinational organizations or foundations, or nonprofit.

●  Experience in project management, preferably in a nonprofit setting.

●  Deep knowledge of sectors such as human development, philanthropy and fundraising,

government and public policy, technology and innovation.

●  Work effectively in fast paces, deadline driven environments both as a team member and

individually with minimum supervision.

●  Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others. Must be flexible and demonstrate

strong judgment and decision-making skills.

●  Ability to understand complex issues and data, summarize them and articulate them in simple,

effective ways.

●  Ability to work within international teams across different geographies.

●  Native or bilingual proficiency in English and Ukrainian for both written and spoken skills.

●  Maintain highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality and integrity.

●  Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

●  Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and project management software.

Desirable

Proven track record of success in grant writing and management.

Existing network of international financial organizations and foundations, government institutions, regulatory and academic stakeholders in Ukraine and European Union.

Experience performing extensive research to ensure your content is backed by facts and figures, and that your copy is robust and meaningful.

What we offer:

Competitive compensation.

Flexible working hours.

An inclusive and equal working environment.

17.08.2023

Impact Force is excited to announce the opening of a Call for Proposal to select a reputable and experienced travel agency to collaborate with us. 

Scope of Services Required:

The selected travel agency will be expected to provide a comprehensive range of travel services, including but not limited to:

Submission Guidelines:

Interested travel agencies are requested to submit their comprehensive proposals in response to this RFP. The proposal should include the following information:

Timeline:

Submission of Proposals:

Please send your complete proposal in electronic format to email info@theimpactforce.org. 

Selection Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Confidentiality:

All information provided in the proposal will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluation.

Contact information:

Contact person: Olga Diakova, email: olga.diakova@theimpactforce.org

20.07.2023

Impact Force is thrilled to announce the launch of process aimed at finding the company to provide top-notch video production services. This opportunity presents an excellent chance for video production companies to showcase their expertise and creativity in the ever-evolving world of media and content creation.

About the Process:

We, at Impact Force , recognize the power of compelling visual storytelling in today’s digital landscape. We are seeking a dynamic and innovative video production partner to collaborate with on a an exciting project.

Who Can Apply:

Process is open to all registered and licensed video production companies, who have a proven track record of excellence in producing high-quality videos across various genres. We welcome applications from companies with expertise in:

Key Dates:

How to Apply:

Interested video production companies are encouraged to share their portfolio, technical equipments, team details and pricing details to an email info@theimpactforce.org. Applicants must submit their proposals by the specified deadline to be considered.

Selection Criteria:

Our team of experts will evaluate each proposal based on a range of criteria, including but not limited to:

Opportunity for Collaboration:

The selected video production company will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with our in-house creative team and experts. Together, we will create compelling and impactful educational video for one of our projects that is implementing by Impact Force and UN Women with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

Confidentiality:

All information provided in the proposal will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of evaluation.

Contact information

Contact person: Olga Diakova, email: olga.diakova@theimpactforce.org

05.07.2023

Among the applicants, companies from the IT (16%) and construction sectors (12%) were in the lead, with MedTech companies (9%) coming in second.. Additionally, businesses from the agrarian (8%), gastronomy (8%) and light industry (7%) also submitted applications. Logistics, environmental, educational, cultural and financial businesses also participated in the selection. Currently, 25 finalists from various sectors of the economy are participating in the program to develop their businesses and restore the economy of Ukraine, while also integrating and implementing social impact strategies. y The program will continue until the end of 2023.  

The most motivated and ready businesses were selected from over 100 applicants. Candidates were chosen by both Ukrainian and international committees. In particular, the Ukrainian jury included representatives of Impact Force, SILab Ukraine, and RadarTech. Representatives of the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund, Schwab Foundation, Phineo gAG, Palantir UK, Tech to the Rescue, European Patent Office, and a professor of the University of Cambridge joined the international committee. Candidates were evaluated based on four main criteria: product readiness, business model transparency, correspondence of a company’s needs to the program capabilities, scalability potential, and expected social impact.

The program received an overwhelmingly large number of applications, indicating a growing interest in entrepreneurship in Ukraine and the desire of entrepreneurs to work effectively not only for their businesses but also for the benefit of society as a whole.

“The selected entrepreneurs inspire with their energy and willingness to make changes. Each of them has its own highlight. They are all very different: different experiences, different fields… For example, 40% of our participants come from businesses that provide goods and services. Among the finalists, there are also three organizations from the field of ecology and three from the field of medicine, as well as two IT companies and two businesses from the agrarian sector. In addition, there are representatives of the energy industry, construction industry, and  financial sector. Indeed, all of them are very different, but they have one thing in common – they all are social innovators. Our participants are full of ideas and strive not just to earn money, but to make a long-term and significant contribution to the development of communities and society, solving the most urgent and pressing social issues. They are ready to take on the challenge, no matter how difficult it may be,” Nina Levchuk, Co-founder of Impact Force. 

16 professional mentors from diverse fields of business development, each with extensive experience and a long list of successful business projects, joined the program to guide and support the program participants in developing their businesses and implementing social impact strategies. The program consists of 12 modules:

1.    Introduction to social impact entrepreneurship

2.    Finding Product – Market Fit

3.    Impact Measurement and management

4.    Branding and Positioning

5.    B2B Marketing and Lead Generation

6.    B2B Sales

7.    B2B Customer Success

8.    Creating Holistic Impact

9.    Raising Impact Capital

10. Human Resources & People Operations

11. Business Operations & Scaling

12. Accounting, Finance, and Billing 

The main advantages of the Impact Business program for its participants are free access to global financial and technical resources, as well as lectures, workshops and research focused on the topics of business growth and incorporating social impact factors in the business strategy. In addition, the program includes 30 hours of dedicated time with professional mentors, access to international investors and global technological resources.

Furthermore, based on the program’s results, the two companies with the best performance will have the opportunity to receive up to EUR 20,000 in smart grants for their team. These grants will be provided by the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund as part of the Collaborate for Impact project, which is financed by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the EVPA.

“Today, business no longer operates according to the old rules, today we all have to respond to the challenges created by the full-scale invasion. Our country needs recovery, the main driver of which is business with a strong social impact and innovative solutions.

That is why our acceleration program is designed to not only strengthen Ukrainian businesses but also increase their social impact. We are glad that within the framework of this program we managed to unite strong and innovative enterprises that strive to achieve positive social changes in Ukraine right now!” Olena Kalibaba, СЕО Ukrainian Social Venture Fund.

20.04.2023

2000 laptops will be distributed via trusted partners such as Impact Force, PHINEO gAG, United Way and WE AID. A first batch of 900 laptops was delivered to Ukraine to support activities among internally displaced people and the offices of United Way in the UK, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, Romania and Hungary, who are actively working on the ground with Ukrainian refugees. Another 1100 laptops are on the way.

“This is a great example of win-win cooperation between business and non-government organizations in these challenging times. With millions of people forced to flee, we are answering the call by putting laptops in the hands of students and families who have been displaced from their homes and classrooms. We believe Ukraine will win, and educated youth and social entrepreneurs will be a huge part of post-war recovery and the country’s sustainable development”, states Nina Levchuk, co-founder of Impact Force NGO.

01.04.2023

Key responsibilities
▫️ Plan, write and edit content for a variety of communications mediums, such as verbal, visual and written communication to tell our story, reinforce our mission, and drive our projects;
▫️ Plan and execute the organization’s communication strategy to ensure that our vision, purpose and objectives are clear and understood;
▫️ Develop proactive and reactive media strategies to promote our mission, projects and initiatives;
▫️ Coordinate, plan and align communication campaigns of our projects and initiatives;
▫️ Support fundraising and creative teams on communications aspects;
▫️ Work with our creative team to collaboratively create impactful messages and campaigns;
▫️ Work on drafting messages or scripts for senior management for presentation of projects and initiatives in written or spoken form;
▫️ Copywriting, proofing and editing organization’s publications;
▫️ Manage assigned social media and assist with the creation of social media content, manage the calendar, and support with the writing of engagement content.

Key requirements
▫️ Experience working in multinational organizations or foundations, or nonprofit.
▫️ Strong written and oral communication skills in public relations, press release, presentation, events and project management.
▫️ Understanding of the media environment, international organizations and foundations, Ukrainian government, NGOs and other civil society players and agendas.
▫️ Deep knowledge of communication fields such as government relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement and communications.
▫️ Work effectively in fast paces, deadline driven environments both as a team member and individually with minimum supervision.
▫️ Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others. Must be flexible and demonstrate strong judgment and decision-making skills.
▫️ Ability to understand complex issues, summarize them and communicate them in simple, effective ways.
▫️ Ability to work within international teams across different geographies.
▫️ Native or bilingual proficiency in English and Ukrainian for both written and spoken skills.
▫️ Maintain highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality and integrity.

Desirable
▫️ A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international relations, creative writing, or a closely relevant discipline.
▫️ Existing network of media, international financial organizations and foundations, government, regulatory and academic stakeholders in Ukraine and European Union.
▫️ Experience performing extensive research to ensure your content is backed by facts and figures, and that your copy is robust and meaningful.

What we offer:
▫️ Competitive compensation.
▫️ Flexible working hours.
▫️ An inclusive and equal working environment.

20.03.2023

ANNUAL REPORT
IMPACT FORCE ANNUAL REPORT 2022
IMPACT FORCE ANNUAL REPORT 2021