In January 2023, Ukrainian Hub launched Amarelo/Azul business camp – an innovative educational program for forcibly displaced Ukrainian women who aim to start their own business in Portugal.
Our goal was to provide Ukrainian women with the knowledge and tools needed to create a sustainable business in a new country, empower them, and create a community of like-minded women who will support each other.
"We created a training program to provide (Ukrainian resettled women) with the necessary tools to create a source of income in Portugal. At the same time, companies founded by immigrants will contribute to the creation of a new business ecosystem, contributing to the development of the local economy."
We received more than 100 applications to participate in the program, among which 40 participants were selected for the first business camp. These ambitious women work on projects in completely different fields - digital services, fitness studios, drawing and English lessons for children, public catering, marketing and education.
The program lasted 3 months; participants underwent an intensive course: online lectures supplemented by offline events with individual and group mentoring sessions. This allowed the participants to directly interact with the mentors and each other.
The culmination of the program was the long-awaited Demo Day, which took place in the Representation of the European Commission in Lisbon, where 15 participants knitted their projects before the jury in order to receive grants provided by the local partner, the Millennium bcp Foundation. Absolutely all the participants demonstrated passion, creativity and remarkable entrepreneurial spirit.
The winners of the pitch competition were:
– 1st place (€5,000): Anzhelika Shyshkovska with the L5 Visuals project - 3D rendering studio
– 2nd place (3,000 euros): Asya Tyshchenko with the project This Girl Can - a martial arts club for women
– 3rd place (3,000 euros): Oksana Knyschuk with the project of a boutique fitness studio for women
Our team is incredibly proud of each participant and each project they develop. Creating a business from scratch is not an easy task. Especially in a foreign country, after a forced relocation and a mentally and physically difficult year, this requires special courage.
We are grateful to all participants for their incredible inspiration and motivation to study, as well as to all our partners, Representation of the European Commission in Portugal and Millennium bcp Foundation, who showed us great support.
The European Union, its member countries and, above all, European citizens continue their steadfast support for Ukraine. That is why we have activated the European Temporary Protection Mechanism to give these people safe status and access to schools, healthcare, care and work in the European Union. But it is also necessary to create mechanisms for real integration in the host country. And this is where this initiative from Ukrainian hub fulfills an important role, which the Representation of the European Commission proudly supports, providing assistance to Ukrainian women who are forced to leave their homes and who are an example of courage and resilience
The success of the Amarelo/Azul business camp is a testament to the resilience and determination of Ukrainian women. By equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive in the world of business, this transformative initiative promotes economic empowerment, social inclusion and development.