PRO Educational Opportunities for the Mykolaiv Community
How can communities identify opportunities for development? How can they turn problem-solving into concrete projects, engage partners and resources, and create lasting change even after a project ends? Participants sought answers to these questions at the event for effective managers, “PRO: Educational Opportunities for Communities”, which the NGO “Progressive&Strong” organized in collaboration with UNICEF on September 17–19 as part of the project “Strengthening teaching and learning processes in the Southern regions of Ukraine”.
Kostiantyn Palshkov
Co-coordinator of the Communication Direction
Supporting educators remains a top priority for the NGO “Progressive&Strong”. At the same time, we are increasingly focusing on communities as the environment in which educational changes are born and implemented.
After all, even the best ideas don’t work on their own. It takes people and teams capable of identifying a problem, understanding its causes, formulating a solution, rallying partners around it, securing the necessary resources, and seeing the initiative through to a concrete result.
That is why it is important for us not only to support individuals but also to strengthen communities’ capacity to independently develop and implement solutions. The “PRO-Educational Opportunities for Communities” event served as a practical example of this approach. It brought together educators from Mykolaiv, and the workshop took place at a cozy location in the Cherkasy region, on the banks of the Dnipro River.
After all, even the best ideas don’t work on their own. It takes people and teams capable of identifying a problem, understanding its causes, formulating a solution, rallying partners around it, securing the necessary resources, and seeing the initiative through to a concrete result.
That is why it is important for us not only to support individuals but also to strengthen communities’ capacity to independently develop and implement solutions. The “PRO-Educational Opportunities for Communities” event served as a practical example of this approach. It brought together educators from Mykolaiv, and the workshop took place at a cozy location in the Cherkasy region, on the banks of the Dnipro River.
From a project to tangible change in the community
One of the event’s key messages was simple: a successful project doesn’t start with looking for a grant.
First, you need to understand the problem: who it affects, why it arose, exactly what needs to be changed, and what the desired outcome should be. Only then should you look for the tools, partners, funding opportunities, and resources needed to bring your vision to life.
It was precisely this logic that the team from the NGO “Progressive&Strong” used when working with participants: from the problem to the solution, from the solution to the project, and from the project to concrete change in the community.
During the practical sessions, participants identified target groups, analyzed problems and their causes, sought out potential partners and resources, explored funding opportunities, learned to define outcomes and indicators, planned communication strategies, and – most importantly – considered the project’s sustainability after funding ends.
One of the event’s key messages was simple: a successful project doesn’t start with looking for a grant.
First, you need to understand the problem: who it affects, why it arose, exactly what needs to be changed, and what the desired outcome should be. Only then should you look for the tools, partners, funding opportunities, and resources needed to bring your vision to life.
It was precisely this logic that the team from the NGO “Progressive&Strong” used when working with participants: from the problem to the solution, from the solution to the project, and from the project to concrete change in the community.
During the practical sessions, participants identified target groups, analyzed problems and their causes, sought out potential partners and resources, explored funding opportunities, learned to define outcomes and indicators, planned communication strategies, and – most importantly – considered the project’s sustainability after funding ends.
The team from the NGO “Progressive&Strong” shared their own experience in implementing educational and social projects. Yevheniia SHELEST, Liudmyla KORNUTA, and Kostiantyn PALSHKOV presented practical case studies from the organization – ranging from identifying problems and working with target groups to building partnerships, implementation, communication, and evaluating results.
A separate session was led by Bohdan FERENS, founder of the NGO “Progressive&Strong”, who shared practical experience in implementing projects for veterans, blind and visually impaired people, youth, internally displaced persons, and educators. The discussion focused not only on successful case studies but also on the challenging journey that often lies behind them: from finding an idea and partners to securing resources and implementing the initiative.
A separate session was led by Bohdan FERENS, founder of the NGO “Progressive&Strong”, who shared practical experience in implementing projects for veterans, blind and visually impaired people, youth, internally displaced persons, and educators. The discussion focused not only on successful case studies but also on the challenging journey that often lies behind them: from finding an idea and partners to securing resources and implementing the initiative.
Bohdan also provided a glimpse “behind the scenes” of international donor assistance: how major donor organizations, government agencies, and international programs operate – particularly in the context of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU – where to look for opportunities, and how to turn them into concrete projects. One of the main takeaways is that it’s better to start with a small, concrete, and realistic solution than with a grand but abstract idea. After all, even when opportunities are hard to find, it’s the specific problem and a clear solution that should serve as the starting point for seeking support.
Reputation – which is sometimes built over decades – is extremely important, as is the successful implementation of projects, rather than purely formal or token activities. It is precisely reputation, tangible results, and the trust of partners that often lay the foundation for new opportunities and further cooperation.
Reputation – which is sometimes built over decades – is extremely important, as is the successful implementation of projects, rather than purely formal or token activities. It is precisely reputation, tangible results, and the trust of partners that often lay the foundation for new opportunities and further cooperation.
From Learning to Personal Initiatives
The most important part of the three-day workshop was the hands-on session. After familiarizing themselves with the tools and real-world case studies, the participants began developing their own projects based on the specific educational challenges facing their communities.
As a result, the teams developed and presented four project ideas:
The most important part of the three-day workshop was the hands-on session. After familiarizing themselves with the tools and real-world case studies, the participants began developing their own projects based on the specific educational challenges facing their communities.
As a result, the teams developed and presented four project ideas:
- “Improving the Physical Health of Children with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs”;
- “Parents as Partners: Working Together for the Child”;
- “Equal Opportunities – Quality Education for Everyone”;
- “A Space for Recovery: An Inclusive Environment for Psychophysical Support”.
Thus, the participants did not simply gain new knowledge about project work – they independently went through the entire process, from identifying a problem to developing a project solution, while working on real challenges in the field of education.
It is at this very moment that learning ceases to be merely a set of new facts and becomes the foundation for future change in communities.
It is at this very moment that learning ceases to be merely a set of new facts and becomes the foundation for future change in communities.
Three days of work, ideas, and team energy
An important part of the meeting was not only the working sessions but also the atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork. Over the course of three eventful days, Yuliia SHMALENKO helped participants maintain their energy and momentum through energizers and team-building activities.
An important part of the meeting was not only the working sessions but also the atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork. Over the course of three eventful days, Yuliia SHMALENKO helped participants maintain their energy and momentum through energizers and team-building activities.
“PRO Educational Opportunities for Communities” is another step by the NGO “Progressive&Strong” toward strengthening the capacity of communities in southern Ukraine.
We continue to share our experience, build partnerships, and help educational teams not only find existing opportunities but also create their own solutions for their communities.
Because quality education begins with motivated teachers, young people, and collaboration with parents. And sustainable change begins with capable communities.
We continue to share our experience, build partnerships, and help educational teams not only find existing opportunities but also create their own solutions for their communities.
Because quality education begins with motivated teachers, young people, and collaboration with parents. And sustainable change begins with capable communities.
The event was a logical continuation of a series of initiatives that the NGO “Progressive&Strong” and UNICEF are implementing in the southern regions of Ukraine.
As part of a joint project, 8 Teacher Support Centers have already been opened in the Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson regions to provide support to teachers and students. More than 2,000 educators have participated in training sessions and supervision sessions. About 300 teenagers from southern Ukraine had the opportunity to recharge, socialize, and spend time in a safe environment in the Carpathian Mountains.
Analytical work has also been an important part of the project – including the study “Educators in Southern Ukraine: Needs, Challenges, and Support Priorities” and the report “Teacher Professional Development In Ukraine Challenges, Needs And Lessons From The Southern Regions”.
As part of a joint project, 8 Teacher Support Centers have already been opened in the Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Kherson regions to provide support to teachers and students. More than 2,000 educators have participated in training sessions and supervision sessions. About 300 teenagers from southern Ukraine had the opportunity to recharge, socialize, and spend time in a safe environment in the Carpathian Mountains.
Analytical work has also been an important part of the project – including the study “Educators in Southern Ukraine: Needs, Challenges, and Support Priorities” and the report “Teacher Professional Development In Ukraine Challenges, Needs And Lessons From The Southern Regions”.
Our next step is to strengthen the capacity of communities and education administrators so that they can not only take advantage of existing opportunities but also create their own.
24.09.2026
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