Supporting Women in Ukraine
Sofia (not her real name) is an Internally Displaced Person (IDP), a refugee in her own country. When conflict broke out, she fled her hometown in the Zaporizhzhia Region for Uzhgorod, in the western part of Ukraine. Having left everything behind, Sofia had no means to support her family.
As many displaced women do, she faced major challenges in finding employment. One day a friend told her about an IOCC project, launched specifically to help women like Sofia gain vital business and financial skills.
Through the program, Sofia learned the essentials of business planning and digital marketing. She also received a grant and used her new skills to open a small bakery.
Today, she is taking her first steps toward financial independence and supporting her family. “This grant,” Sofia said, “not only helped me get my business off the ground but also gave me a sense of hope for the future.”
To date, the ongoing program has provided training for 130 women and awarded 62 business grants.
