On January 28, specialists of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center held an online event titled “Veterans’ Career Day: Skills, Opportunities, and Support”, which brought together veterans, female veterans, combatants, and their family members from various regions of Ukraine.
The aim of the event was to inform the veteran community about current employment opportunities, professional development and starting a business, available state support instruments, as well as to introduce the activities of veteran support specialists.
The event opened with a welcoming address by Nataliia Adamova, Director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center. She emphasized that today the employment service is a reliable partner for veterans and their families, providing comprehensive assistance in professional reintegration and return to civilian life.
During the event, participants were presented with the services and electronic tools of the employment service, which significantly simplify job searching and access to consultations. Special attention was paid to opportunities for vocational training, retraining, and advanced training with the support of the employment service, including training through vouchers. The terms of participation in the state grant program “Own Business” were also explained in detail, including application stages and funding amounts.
Grant recipient Mariana Babych also joined the event and shared her successful experience of starting a business and combining it with charitable activities. Her cozy café “Poruch” (“Nearby”) in Kramatorsk has become not only a place for coffee, but also a space of support and communication for veterans and their families.
The idea of creating the café belonged to Mariana’s brother Volodymyr, who dreamed of a place where veterans could relax, communicate, and receive psychological support. After Volodymyr joined the defense of Ukraine, Mariana took responsibility for bringing his dream to life.
In 2024, Mariana became a winner of the “Own Business” program. She used the grant funds to purchase equipment and improve the technical facilities of the café. By her example, she inspired other participants to take advantage of state grant support and implement their own business ideas.
A separate block of the event was dedicated to the implementation of veteran policy in Donetsk region, the activities of veteran support specialists, and the algorithm for providing comprehensive assistance, presented by representatives of the Veteran Policy Department of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.
Representatives of the “Poruch” ATO and Veterans and Their Families Center presented the main areas of work and opportunities for cooperation with the veteran community.
During the event, participants actively communicated, asked questions, received professional answers, individual consultations, and contacts for further support and information.
The Veterans’ Career Day became another important step toward creating a supportive environment in which every veteran can find useful information, practical tools, and real opportunities for professional and personal development.