EEC conducted a training course for 40 women in freelancing and entrepreneurship in the field of domestic tourism

On June 3-6, a 4-day training course "From freelancing to entrepreneurship: how to create an interesting offer for tourism” was held in Yaremche. The event was organized by the "East European Cooperation" NGO (Lithuania) and "Women's Perspectives" Center" NGO (Lviv).

40 women from 12 regions of Ukraine – IDPs from the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, as well as local residents with experience of running own business and beginners – took part in the training course. The event was aimed at deepening competences and gaining practical knowledge of entrepreneurship with the possibility of creating offers for domestic tourism.

“We received 105 applications and invited female participants who have business ideas and experience in the field of domestic tourism. The training course was also attended by ladies whose products and services could be interesting for tourists. During the event, participants were establishing contacts, looking for opportunities for partnership, and working together on projects. On the last day, not only did participants present groundwork, but concrete action plans. This is the result that we have been trying to achieve the last three years,” said Natalia Kazionnova, author of the training course, entrepreneur, and manager of EES projects in Ukraine.

A team of 5 trainers, who provided tools for freelance and entrepreneurial work, were working with the participants. Participants gained knowledge and practical guidance on the understanding of opportunities offered by self-employment and entrepreneurship, gained confidence for a successful launch of a new business and development of an existing one.

The training program is based on practical work with maximum interactivity and involvement of participants, which combines the author's methods and practices of trainers. The first day was organized in an open space format and was hosted by facilitator Mariana Zaviyska.

Next, life coach, business trainer for small businesses Natalia Korbut and Natalia Kazionnova were working with two groups 20 participants each.

Coach Natalia Korbut conducted the module "How to be an effective and confident entrepreneur", and coach Natalia Kazionnova was working with the participants on tools to promote goods and services in social networks with the help of content.

The final day of the training course was hosted by the highest category guide Danuta Bernatovich (Republic of Lithuania). The participants presented projects and received feedback and advice on business development from the expert. Thematic modules from psychologist Marta Chumalo enhanced the program.

"This is already the fourth training, and our program is not repeated, we improve it, giving participants the opportunity to develop and grow together. In Ukraine, tourism business is a fertile soil not oversaturated with tourist products, where you can get a good result without large investments, merely by using a wise approach. In addition, additional classes with a psychologist strengthened participants' faith in the right choice, added self-confidence, emotional strength, and positive thinking,” said Beatričė Beliavciv, director of the "East European Cooperation" NGO.

One of the regular participants of the training courses – Gulnara Ablyatifova, the head of the "Crimean Civil Society Institute" NGO – said, "We have acquired thorough knowledge of doing business, promotion, and writing texts. We now have deeper understanding of the fact that we need to focus on a priority business idea and take care of its development, implement those projects that we can implement taking into account our capabilities.”

The project is focused on the attention to Crimean Tatars, who, after the annexation of the Crimea, were forced to leave the peninsula due to persecution by occupants. Self-employment and entrepreneurship in the field of tourism, which were developed in the Crimea, are an opportunity for female Crimean Tatars to improve their family's financial situation and earn money without looking for a job, since there are often many children in families.

Additional information:

The training course was held within the framework of the project "Active and resourceful participants contribute to formation of new social and economic relations in communities". We expect to conduct an information campaign aimed at creating a positive image of a displaced person, which will facilitate further integration process and reduce stigmatization of IDPs from the Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.

The project is being implemented to promote successful integration of displaced persons into the local communities of Ukraine and social adaptation of vulnerable groups.

The project is implemented by the "East European Cooperation" NGO (Lithuania), partner organizations – "Women's Perspectives" Center" (Lviv) and the "Crimean Tatar Cultural Center "Crimean House in Lviv" (Lviv).

The project is funded by the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.