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The team of the Heroes Academy held a three-day strategic planning session in Shatsk, marking an important milestone in shaping the organization’s future development. Over the course of three days, the team worked on building a shared vision, defining key priorities, and exploring new opportunities. Participants outlined the organization’s strategic goals, with a strong focus on expanding partnerships, improving the efficiency of internal processes, and creating new opportunities for the professional reintegration of Ukraine’s defenders. The strategic planning session combined intensive teamwork, in-depth discussions, idea generation, and collaborative decision-making. This approach not only resulted in a clear roadmap for the organization’s next steps but also further strengthened the team, united by a shared mission – helping veterans build a new professional future. Shatsk, particularly the recreational center of Lviv Polytechnic National University, provided an excellent setting for productive work and rethinking the organization’s future development. Stepping away from daily operational responsibilities allowed the team to focus on strategic thinking, generate fresh ideas, and identify new solutions for achieving its ambitious goals.

Heroes Academy NGO is launching a new artificial intelligence intensive course for veterans under the age of 35! In just one month, you will learn how to confidently use ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, NotebookLM, and other AI tools that you can apply in freelancing, a new career, or your everyday life. What you’ll get: ✅ 8 hands-on training sessions (twice a week, 2 hours each) ✅ Certificate of course completion ✅ Opportunity to become part of the Heroes Academy community and continue learning through other educational programs 👥 Who can apply? Veterans living in Lviv or the Lviv region who want to gain new digital skills. 📍 Location: Heroes Academy training center, 3 Petrushevycha Street, Lviv Course starts: August 3, 2026 Places are limited – register now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhhiWlUDwii2tsbKXDFqjURZSblcVQfsimNRRKrBMxpbgNkg/viewform

The Data Engineering group of the Academy for Heroes was visited by Bohdan Puniak, Head of Professional Services at the Estonian IT company Divectors Stepan V. . It was a valuable, meaningful, and inspiring meeting with a professional from a real IT environment. The participants actively engaged in the conversation, asked many interesting and in-depth questions, shared their own experiences, and discussed real challenges in the field of Data Engineering, market requirements, teamwork, and how knowledge gradually transforms into confident professional skills. It was especially valuable that everyone shared how they are already applying the knowledge they have gained in their professional activities – in data work, analytics, accounting, mechanical engineering, process automation, systems thinking, and the search for new solutions. Divectors itself funds the education of this group, providing our participants with the opportunity to acquire up-to-date knowledge, develop technical skills, and move confidently toward a professional future in IT. Such meetings demonstrate that studying at the Academy is not only about theory or a separate course. It is a journey in which knowledge gradually becomes a tool for real change, professional growth, and new opportunities. We sincerely thank Divectors for their support, trust, and contribution to the development of our participants. We also thank Bohdan and the partner IT company Divectors for the open conversation, attention to the group, and genuine interest. The participants are already looking forward to the next meeting.

5 days. 12 hearts. And countless memories that will last a lifetime. From June 22 to 26, in the heart of Lviv – at Sense Hub Lviv by Sense Bank on Market Square – Future Heroes Campbrought together children of veterans, active service members, and families of fallen Defenders of Ukraine. Over these five unforgettable days, the children became one big, friendly family, while our engaging program gave them the opportunity to: 💻 Discover what’s “under the hood” of a computer and build their own websites from scratch. 🌐 Practice real-life English through movies, games, and presentations – no memorization required. 🤖 Explore the world of artificial intelligence and learn how to use AI tools. 🏦 Visit Oschadbank, go behind the scenes at Pershyi Zakhidnyi TV Channel and Pershe Radio, explore Zenyk Art Gallery, and tour Lviv City Council, where they met Lviv’s famous feline mayor, Levchyk. 👮 Learn from police officers about the dangers of online recruitment targeting teenagers and the importance of safe e-scooter riding. 🎨 Take part in a creative workshop, producing heartfelt drawings for our Defenders. 🎓 Strengthen their soft skills and learn the value of teamwork. These children are the descendants of true Heroes. And they are already proving that they are worthy of that title. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making this camp possible: Sense Hub, the Veteran Services Center, represented by Andrii Zholob; JSC Oschadbank, represented by Volodymyr Sotnyk; Zenyk Art Gallery; Pershyi Zakhidnyi TV Channel and Pershe Radio, together with Yaryna Kapitan; Lviv City Council; public relations officers of the Patrol Police Department in the Lviv Region – Vasyl Demchyna and Andrii Kadai; and Yuliia Khanyk-Soia. Heroes Academy continues its mission. Stay tuned for our upcoming announcements – even more opportunities for the children of Ukraine’s Defenders are on the way.

We are pleased to announce that our project, “AI for Heroes: Artificial Intelligence Courses for the Reintegration and Reskilling of Veterans,” has been selected for support under the “PORUCH” grant program. The program is designed to support initiatives that help veterans successfully adapt to civilian life, develop professional skills, and discover new opportunities for personal and career growth. 💡 What is the project about? As part of the project, 20 veterans will have the opportunity to learn modern artificial intelligence tools free of charge and gain practical skills in applying them to work, education, entrepreneurship, and everyday life. 📚 Participants will learn how to: work with artificial intelligence tools; use AI to automate work processes; create texts, presentations, and content with the help of AI; apply modern digital technologies for professional development; use AI as a tool for reskilling and employment. 🎯 Project Goal The project aims to help veterans acquire relevant digital skills, increase their competitiveness in the labor market, and unlock new career opportunities in an era of rapid digital transformation. The project fully aligns with the objectives of the “PORUCH” program, particularly in the areas of professional development and career adaptation for veterans.

The free summer camp Future Heroes Camp has officially launched at Sense Hub Lviv, the community space of Sense Bank located at 26 Rynok Square. The camp is organized by the Academy for Heroes for children of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and families of fallen Defenders of Ukraine. Over the course of five engaging days, participants aged 13–15 will have the opportunity not only to spend their time productively and enjoyably, but also to gain new knowledge and skills that will benefit them in the future. The camp program combines learning, personal development, and meaningful interaction in a friendly and supportive environment. Participants will explore the world of information technology and digital tools, create their own mini-projects, improve their English through interactive activities, take part in communication and teamwork training sessions, and attend workshops and meetings with experienced professionals from various fields. Future Heroes Camp is about more than just learning. It is about building new friendships, finding support and inspiration, and connecting with peers who may remain friends long after the camp ends. For many participants, it is a space where they can be themselves, unlock their potential, and look confidently toward the future. The camp will run through June 26 and will conclude with a certificate award ceremony for all participants.

A practical workshop for Academy for Heroes participants was held at Sense Hub Lviv, a community space provided by Sense Bank, featuring Olga Bilyk, HR Manager at EveryMatrix Ukraine. The workshop focused on CV writing and brought together students from three Academy educational programs: Python Backend Development, Data Engineering, and Python Fullstack Development. During the session, participants learned about current employer expectations for resumes, common mistakes made by job seekers, and effective ways to present their professional experience and skills. Special attention was given to interview preparation, communication with recruiters, and strategies for answering the most common interview questions. Such events are an extremely important part of the Academy for Heroes educational process, as the primary goal of the training programs is to help veterans successfully secure employment in leading IT companies. We sincerely thank Olga Bilyk and EveryMatrix for supporting the Academy for Heroes educational initiatives and for their valuable contribution to the professional development of our participants.

From now on, some educational programs will take place at 6 Drukarska Street, on the premises of the Lviv Center for Services for Combatants. Academy for Heroes is expanding its activities in Lviv and presenting a new additional space for classes. This space will become another learning location where participants will be able to gain knowledge in comfortable conditions. Expanding the network of locations makes the educational process more accessible and convenient. As a result, the learning process will become more flexible, and participants will have even more opportunities for convenient training in different locations across the city.

More than 70 applicants expressed interest in joining the program. Following a series of interviews, 15 participants who demonstrated the highest readiness for the educational process were selected. The training will take place over a period of three months in the very heart of the city at Sense Hub Lviv, located within Sense Bank. The course will be taught exclusively by industry practitioners – professionals from FRESHPR, including its Director, Orest Vachkov, and his team, who have been successfully operating in the Ukrainian marketing services market for more than 15 years. The opening session was attended by Oleksiy Druhov, Head of the NGO Academy for Heroes and Professor at the Department of Management of Organizations at Lviv Polytechnic National University, together with his deputy, Associate Professor Mariyana Gvozd. The program will focus primarily on practical case studies and training sessions specifically designed for this course. Financial support for the training has been provided by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.

My name is Andrii. During my service in the assault brigade of the 15th Mobile Border Guard Detachment «Steel Border», I carried out combat missions in different directions and took part in assault operations. After being discharged from service, it was important for me to find new goals, adapt to civilian life and choose a professional path in which I could continue to develop. I would like to express my immense gratitude to Academy for Heroes for the opportunity to receive quality IT education, complete an internship and take a real step into a new professional future after service. I studied in the Full Stack Development program. The program is built at a high level: a lot of practice, modern technologies, mentor support and continuous skill development. After the internship, I found employment and now work at the IT company Stepico Games. I sincerely thank the entire Academy for Heroes team for your work and contribution to the future of Ukraine’s veterans. You are doing extremely important work! Andrii-Sviatoslav Stefunka, graduate of Academy for Heroes

The Academy for Heroes continues to strengthen cooperation with veterans and representatives of state institutions working to support Ukraine’s defenders after their return from the frontline. Recently, the Academy welcomed veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian War and combat police officer Vasyl Ivanovych. After sustaining a severe injury while carrying out combat missions, he returned to service and continues to work within the National Police of Ukraine. Currently, Vasyl Ivanovych will coordinate veteran policy initiatives within the police force of the Lviv region. During his visit, he learned about the activities of the Academy for Heroes, its educational programs, approaches to working with children and veterans, and discussed opportunities for future cooperation. It is worth noting that Vasyl Ivanovych has already contributed to supporting the Academy’s activities, particularly by helping engage children in our programs. In the future, he will also assist in informing veterans about educational, personal development, and support opportunities available through the Academy’s projects. We are grateful for his trust and support and are confident that this cooperation will help us reach even more veterans and their families, creating new opportunities for education, adaptation, and personal growth through the Academy for Heroes.

My name is Vladyslav. I am a second-year student at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and work at EveryMatrix as a QA & Configuration Manager. I entered the IT field thanks to Academy for Heroes, where I studied in the Project Management & Quality Assurance course and gained the basic and practical knowledge needed to work in the industry. During my studies at the Academy, I actively developed software testing skills — from manual testing to working with documentation and bug tracking. The Academy also helped me improve my English to a level sufficient for working with foreign colleagues and technical documentation. I started my journey at the company in a TechOps position and later grew into my current role, which includes both quality assurance and various configuration tasks. I am glad that Academy for Heroes once opened the door to this field for me. I continue to actively develop further and move forward in my profession. Vladyslav Kravets, graduate of Academy for Heroes