Restart Mindset

Summary

In 2024, Impact Force Ukraine committed $400,000 to enhance employability and support workforce development in efforts to rebuild a resilient Ukrainian economy. All Ukrainians are experiencing varying levels of mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, as a result of the ongoing war. To rebuild a strong workforce, individual mental health needs must be addressed first. Over the next year, Impact Force will launch a program to empower 250 war-affected individuals, including internally displaced people and veterans to provide thorough mental health assessments and psychological interventions, as well as introduce a national mental health campaign coordinated with the Ukrainian government to reduce the stigma of seeking support. This commitment will then tailor career coaching, human resource mentorship, gender-sensitive livelihood interventions, upskilling, and job placement services to create more holistic human capital development.

Approach

Impact Force is a Ukrainian non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to social behavior change and sustainable impact projects. Committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) , Impact Force focuses on healthy societies, sustainable economies, and strong governance. Their strengths in capacity building, public-private partnerships, and community mobilization uniquely equip Impact Force to tackle Ukraine’s economic and humanitarian crisis. With experienced leadership and a proven track record, they are well-positioned to support Ukraine’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.

This commitment addresses the economic and humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion. It focuses on mental and socio-economic resilience and empowerment. Impact Force offers mental and gender-sensitive livelihood interventions, upskilling, skills matching, and job placements for 250 war-affected individuals, including internally displaced people and veterans. In 2025, Impact Force will provide mental health assessments, tailored career coaching, human resources (HR) mentorship, and upskilling opportunities to enhance participants’ mental well-being and employability, facilitating workforce reintegration and community support.

The initiative starts with a national mental health information campaign, followed by comprehensive support activities. These include psychological interventions for stress-related disorders, career coaching, HR mentorship, and fast-track hiring via the national platform. National and local partner involvement ensures the project’s integration into government initiatives, boosting sustainability and scalability. The successful pilot phase and government recommendations promise long-term impact and resilience for Ukraine’s war-affected population.

Key partners include:
Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine helps reach the target audience through extensive networks and digital infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration into national digital initiatives.
State Scientific Institution “Scientific and Practical Center for Preventive and Clinical Medicine” provides mental health specialists for assessments and interventions.
Psychological Assistance Platform METHOD4U supplies trained psychologists for tailored support.
Platform Happy Monday offers career coaches and HR mentors for job search strategies, CV enhancement, and interview preparation, connecting participants with potential employers.

Action Plan

Impact Force launched an initiative to empower Ukrainian war-affected individuals by providing mental health assessments, psychological interventions, tailored career coaching, human resources (HR) mentorship, and upskilling opportunities to facilitate safe reintegration into the workforce. This initiative promotes employment through a national digital platform, mapping companies that expedite hiring for war-affected people, and fostering a supportive community for reintegration. Impact Force targets participants from all over Ukraine and provide opportunities for them to travel to regional city centers for assessments

In January 2025, the project will launch an information campaign focused on mental health, featuring intervention programs developed by Impact Force to address stress-related disorders. In February 2025, they will open applications and select 250 participants. From March to May 2025, mental health specialists will assess participants and provide tailored interventions and individual monitoring, equipping them with lifelong, non-medicated tools to combat stress-induced disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) .

In June-July 2025, participants will receive tailored career coaching and economic empowerment support, identifying individual needs and gaps. This phase includes professional career and empowerment coaches, HR mentorship, CV enhancement, job market insights, targeted upskilling courses, and innovative job search techniques to enhance employability. Following this, the upskilling process will continue through courses and the fast-track hiring process on the national Diia.Business and Diia.Education platforms. Participants will also engage in a community platform to connect, share ideas, and support each other in their empowerment and reintegration journeys.

Job security will be offered through the national platform, which maps companies open to fast-tracking the hiring process for war-affected people. The project will conclude in December 2025.

The outcome of the project is that war-affected people have improved their mental wellbeing, and increased their skills and confidence level through the acquisition of new techniques and strategies, enabling them to pursue new employment opportunities.

Background

According to the World Bank, the unjustified and unlawful Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a profound economic devastation, with an estimated reconstruction cost of $411 billion over the next decade, as well as an enormous humanitarian crisis, resulting in the displacement of over 12 million people and leaving more than 13 million in dire need of immediate humanitarian and psychological aid. Trauma suffered by the population will have enduring consequences. The International Organization for Migration has reported that more than 15 million Ukrainians have experienced a decline in their mental health, as they grapple with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders due to displacement, job loss, and separation from loved ones.

Despite these challenges, seeking mental health support in Ukraine remains stigmatized, with many individuals reluctant to access the help they need due to societal and cultural barriers. This stigma exacerbates the psychological burden on the population, making it crucial to address mental health openly and integratively as part of the recovery process.

This commitment seeks to empower war-affected Ukrainians by providing mental health support, career coaching, and tailored job placement services to enhance their employability and resilience. Impact Force aims to promote socio-economic recovery through holistic human capital development.

Progress Update

Partnership Opportunities

To complete and scale Impact Force’s commitment, the organization primarily seeks financial resources to support and expand their initiatives for war-affected populations in Ukraine. As a nonprofit, funding is essential to enhance their project and initiatives, ensuring comprehensive and sustainable impact. Additionally, Impact Force seeks international media support to raise awareness, increase visibility, and attract further support for their cause. By securing these resources, they can maximize their efforts to empower and reintegrate those affected by the crisis, fostering long-term resilience and recovery., Impact Force offers valuable resources and services to partner organizations, enhancing their impact on Ukraine’s war-affected populations. They provide tailored capacity-building programs and proven mental health intervention strategies to support mental well-being and resilience. Their extensive network facilitates access to national platforms for upskilling and fast-track hiring processes, ensuring seamless workforce reintegration. Additionally, their media support in Ukraine boosts visibility and engagement, highlighting the initiative’s goals and achievements. By sharing their best practices and topic expertise, they enable partner organizations to optimize their efforts and contribute effectively to the sustainable recovery and empowerment of those affected by the war.