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The SMM course at the Academy for Heroes has officially come to an end. This was not a course where participants simply listened to lectures and took notes. Over the course of 2.5 months, veterans, veteran women, and their family members immersed themselves in real-world SMM work: developing strategies, creating content, producing Reels and videos, copywriting, advertising, and analytics. One of the practical outcomes was the participants’ own video content — from developing an idea and writing a script to creating the finished product. More than 70 applications were received, and following interviews, 15 participants were selected. They then spent 2.5 months working on practical assignments, analyzing cases, and gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects. The training took place at Sense Hub Lviv by Sense Bank, with FRESHPR practitioners Orest Vachkov and Markiian Vachkov sharing their expertise and experience. This course was about more than just SMM. It was an opportunity to gain practical skills, explore a new profession, and take another step toward professional development. We thank everyone who made this training possible: the FRESHPR team, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Sense Bank, and, of course, our participants.

An intensive program designed to help veterans master modern artificial intelligence tools and use them in their work and everyday tasks. Throughout the course, participants explore the capabilities of popular AI tools, learn how to formulate effective prompts, work with text, analyze information, create content, and discover practical ways to apply artificial intelligence in their professional activities. The course instructor, Volodymyr Pankiv, shared some insights into the training: “For me, it is important that participants not only learn what artificial intelligence can do, but also see how it can genuinely help them in their everyday lives and work. We do a lot of hands-on practice, try different tools, and work together to find ways to adapt them to individual needs. The most rewarding part is seeing that after just a few sessions, people are already using AI independently to solve everyday and professional tasks.”

Today, a mobile app is no longer a whim but a necessity for any business that wants to be closer to its customers. The market offers dozens of solutions: from simple no-code builders to powerful IDEs and frameworks used by the world’s largest product teams. It is not easy to navigate this diversity, so in this article we have systematized the main types of tools, shown how they differ, and explained how to choose the best one for your project.

On August 4, participants in the new intensive course began their journey into the world of artificial intelligence. Over the next month, veterans will learn to use modern AI tools that help people work faster, more efficiently, and unlock new opportunities for professional development. The participants will take part in an intensive program featuring hands-on training and practical experience with the most widely used artificial intelligence services. The main goal of the course is to teach participants how to use AI as a practical tool for learning, work, and everyday tasks. We are delighted to welcome our new group and wish every participant a productive learning experience, exciting discoveries, and a confident start in the world of modern technologies. A month of new knowledge, practical experience, and opportunities lies ahead. We wish every participant great success! The AI for Heroes project is implemented within the Poruch grant program, administered by the Lviv Youth Fund as part of the Unity for the Community project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia with the financial support of the European Union and socially responsible businesses. The opening session took place at the Sense Hub, a creative space by Sense Bank.

Attention to the families of veterans, active military personnel, and the families of fallen Defenders of Ukraine! While many children spend their summer glued to their phones, yours can enjoy five unforgettable days filled with adventure, learning, and meaningful experiences they’ll be talking about long after summer ends. It’s a chance to make new friends, develop valuable skills, and create memories that inspire. Participation in the camp is completely free of charge!

This week marks the beginning of a new stage in the professional journey of the Academy for Heroes graduates. After successfully completing their training, they have started internships at leading IT companies in Lviv. The Academy’s top graduates have secured internship opportunities at EveryMatrix and ELEKS. Over the next month, Andrii and Ihor will be interning at the international company EveryMatrix, where they will work alongside the AI/ML team. Following their onboarding at the company’s Lviv office, they will continue their internships remotely under the mentorship of experienced EveryMatrix professionals.

The Python course at the Academy for Heroes has successfully concluded. The program ran from May 6 to July 24, 2026, bringing together 11 participants—veterans, family members of veterans, people with disabilities, and internally displaced persons. Over the course of 112 hours of intensive training, participants learned the fundamentals of Python programming, worked on practical assignments, and solved real-world cases. This enabled them not only to gain new knowledge but also to develop the practical skills needed for further professional growth. The course was taught by Volodymyr Pankiv, who guided participants through their first confident steps into the world of programming by combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on examples and modern teaching approaches. The training was organized with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Thanks to this partnership, participants gained access to high-quality education, practical experience, and valuable support on their path toward professional development and career opportunities. We congratulate all graduates on successfully completing the course and wish them every success in developing their own projects and achieving their future career goals.

Each of us has at least once met the gaze of a veteran who has returned to civilian life and is trying to fit back into the usual rhythm of the city or village. What should you do in that moment? Say hello, shake hands, or look away? How do you restore contact with such a person? How do you speak in a way that supports rather than causes pain with careless words? Adaptation to peaceful life takes months, and sometimes years. A person does not return “the same as before” immediately after demobilization — they need time, support, and understanding from those around them. The way that relatives, friends, colleagues, employers, or even random passersby behave nearby can either ease this path or, on the contrary, make it more difficult.

The Head of the Academy, Professor Oleksiy Druhov, met in Bucharest with representatives of EveryMatrix – Head of the HR Department Marius Iancu and the President of the Teachstream NGO, Catalin Curelea. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities to expand the Academy’s activities in the field of professional development for EveryMatrix employees, including the creation of reskilling programs for software testers, as well as English language training. Catalin Curelea, President of Teachstream NGO, shared the organization’s experience in working with children from socially vulnerable groups and in attracting sponsorship funding for social initiatives, including educational programs for veterans. The participants also explored opportunities to implement software-based management tools to improve the operational efficiency of our organization. In conclusion, the Academy for Heroes project continues to grow actively and seek new opportunities to expand its educational initiatives. We are also deeply grateful to our founders, long-standing sponsors, and partners at EveryMatrix for their continued support of all our projects and initiatives.

The NGO Academy for Heroes, with the support of Ebbe Groes and Jonas Groes, co-founders of the international IT company EveryMatrix, has launched a scholarship program for Academy graduates. The scholarship, worth USD 200 per month for three months, will be awarded to the graduate who is the first to secure employment after successfully completing an internship. This initiative is designed to support veterans during the first months of their professional careers and help them confidently begin their journey in the IT industry. The program aims not only to recognize participants’ dedication and outstanding achievements but also to motivate graduates to continuously develop their skills, successfully complete internships, and quickly integrate into today’s job market. The Groes Brothers Scholarship provides Academy graduates with an excellent opportunity to gain additional support as they embark on a successful new career after their military service.

Today, we honor our history, the strength of our spirit, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. This day reminds us of the centuries-long history of Ukrainian statehood, the unity of generations, and the values for which Ukrainians continue to fight. For the Academy for Heroes, this day holds special significance. Every day, we work to ensure that veterans have the opportunity to gain new knowledge, master modern professions, and build their future in a strong and independent Ukraine. We sincerely thank everyone who defends our country, works for its development, and contributes to its future! 💙💛

The NGO Academy for Heroes continues to strengthen its partnership with the Lviv Center for Services for Combat Veterans, working together to create even more opportunities for veterans’ education and professional development. As part of this cooperation, the Academy donated essential equipment and technology to the Center to support educational activities. This contribution helps provide a comfortable learning environment where veterans can acquire new professional skills, develop digital competencies, and participate in various educational programs. Since June, the Center has been hosting classes for veterans enrolled in the Academy for Heroes’ educational programs. We sincerely thank the Lviv Center for Services for Combat Veterans for its openness to collaboration and for our shared commitment to supporting veterans on their path toward professional growth and successful career development.