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The course “Development of Soft Skills for the Professional Adaptation of Veterans” has successfully concluded at the Academy for Heroes. Over the course of two months, Veterans participated in training aimed at developing the skills necessary for adapting to civilian life and achieving professional fulfillment. The program included training sessions and practical workshops on communication, teamwork, leadership, emotional resilience, decision-making, and career development. The course was delivered with the participation of lecturers and experts from Lviv Polytechnic National University, including Vice-Rector Oleh Karyi, Professors Nataliia Chukhray and Oleksii Druhov, Associate Professors Mariana Hvozd, Oleh Sorochak, Uliana Ivaniuk, as well as the Head of the Italian-Ukrainian Cooperation Center “Leonardo da Vinci,” Orest Vasylko. According to the project coordinator, Mariana Hvozd, supporting Veterans during their transition back to civilian life is an important component of modern educational initiatives, as the experience and personal qualities they have gained can become the foundation for a successful career and new opportunities. The course was organized by the Department of Management of Organizations of the Institute of Economics and Management at Lviv Polytechnic National University with the support of the Walter Baldaccini Foundation.

NGO “Academy for Heroes” is opening enrollment for an SMM course to help participants gain skills that allow them to work from anywhere in the world, create engaging content, promote brands, and build a career in the digital space. Social media today is not just about being good at Instagram or Facebook. It is one of the most in-demand fields, where people who can think, communicate, and create are needed. And that is exactly what we will be teaching.

Within the walls of Lviv Polytechnic National University, the Academy for Heroes officially launched two new educational programs for veterans – Automated Software Testing (QA) and Military Tech C++.

The NGO “Academy for Heroes” has launched Python training for veterans. The classes will take place at the Lviv Sense Hub space by Sense Bank, where participants will gradually immerse themselves in the world of IT. During the course, they will study the basics of Python, programming logic, and work on practical tasks and their own projects. This format allows them not only to gain theoretical knowledge but also to immediately apply it in practice. The program is designed to help veterans acquire relevant skills, adapt to civilian life, and open up new opportunities for building a career in the IT sector.

This course marked an important milestone for participants on their path to starting their own business and developing entrepreneurial skills. After successfully finishing the training, all participants presented their own business projects and received certificates confirming the knowledge and practical experience they had gained. Throughout the course, participants became familiar with the basics of running a business, studied the principles of building business models, financial planning, marketing, customer relations, and personal brand development. Special attention was given to practical cases, the analysis of real business situations, and the formation of participants’ own entrepreneurial ideas. As the course was designed for demobilized military personnel and their family members, people with disabilities, families raising two or more minor children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), first-degree family members of prisoners of war, fallen and missing defenders of Ukraine, people aged 55+, and other categories, the training became not only a source of new knowledge but also an opportunity for participants to receive support, exchange experiences, and find like-minded people. Many of them already have a clear vision of their future businesses and are ready to move to the next stage – implementing their projects. For many, this course became a confident step toward financial independence.

Every new chapter begins with a first step. Now that step is easier to take — you can look inside the Academy before your visit. To make your first introduction comfortable and clear, we have teamed up with the digital agency Podyv to prepare a detailed 360° tour. Walk through the Academy’s training centre, explore the classrooms, and get a feel for the learning atmosphere — all from the comfort of your home!

Participants of the Data Engineering and Python Fullstack programs had the opportunity to visit the international IT company EveryMatrix and get a closer look at how it operates from the inside. During the tour, veterans learned what EveryMatrix does, what products the company creates, and how the main processes of a modern IT company are organized. Company representatives spoke about team structures, cooperation between departments, and the full software development cycle – from idea to finished product. Such visits help participants better understand the requirements of the IT market, see opportunities for professional growth, and gain additional motivation for learning.

At the Academy for Heroes, together with partners, a special psychosocial support session titled “Spring Workshop of Dreams: The Path of Strength” was held. Children of veterans, active servicemen and servicewomen, and fallen Defenders of Ukraine took part in the event. The session became a safe and warm space where every child could feel support, care, and understanding. The core of the activity was art therapy – a gentle yet effective way of working with emotions. Through creativity, participants learned to process their experiences, find inner resources, and gradually restore their belief in their own future. Under the guidance of experienced specialists, the children had the opportunity to express their feelings through drawing and to create their own symbol of strength – a personal image reflecting inner resilience and hope. Surrounded by peers, this process felt natural and sincere, free from pressure and fear of being misunderstood.

Representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Lviv visited the Academy for Heroes, including the Head of the Political and Economic Department, Consul Krzysztof Łukjanowicz, and Public Diplomacy and Media Officer Yuliia Demchenko. During the visit, the guests familiarized themselves with the activities of the Academy for Heroes, its educational initiatives, and social projects aimed at supporting veterans. Special attention was given to programs that help veterans acquire new professions, particularly in the field of IT. The representatives of the consulate expressed interest in the prospects of scaling the Academy’s activities, including the establishment of new branches in other cities across Ukraine. Opportunities for international cooperation were also discussed, including the involvement of IT companies in Poland in supporting veterans through educational and career initiatives.

The public organization “Academy for Heroes,” in partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, has launched a “Python” training course. Classes are held at the Academy’s office in Lviv. Participants will learn the fundamentals of programming, become familiar with the logic of code structure, and take their first practical steps in creating their own programs. The training will last for three months and is aimed at people from socially vulnerable groups.

The public organization “Academy for Heroes” has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Mobius ERP. The document was signed by the company’s director, Oleksandr Mastakov, and the organization’s head, Oleksiy Druhov. The memorandum outlines key areas of partnership, including the implementation of educational programs in the field of information technology, preparation for entering the labor market, and the development of practical skills necessary for professional growth. As part of the collaboration, educational programs will be implemented to help participants acquire practical IT skills and prepare for entering the job market. Additionally, the initiative focuses on creating opportunities for professional development and building a career in the technology sector.

On March 21–22, a spring camp took place for veterans enrolled in the NGO “Academy for Heroes” programs Python Backend Development and System Administration and Technical Support at the cozy educational and wellness camp “Polytechnic-2.” Two intensive days were filled with energy, discoveries, and genuine team synergy! Camp participants actively engaged in the trainings Time Management and Design Thinking, Creativity, and Problem Solving, which could be felt in every moment of their work. There were no indifferent glances, no passive presence – only genuine interest, thoughtful questions, and sincere involvement in the process. The camp was greatly supported by instructors Maryana Yaroslavivna Hvozd and Volodymyr Pankiv, who not only shared their experience but also created a space for open dialogue, support, and development for each participant. The camp atmosphere was truly warm and friendly, inspiring openness, experimentation, and the courage to make mistakes. It is in such an environment that the boldest ideas and strongest connections are born.