The name of the initiative: "Creation of a carpentry co-working space as an element of professional education for residents and IDPs of the Khotyn community"
The main problems of immigrants, especially in small towns, are the lack of work and opportunities for professional development. And at one of the meetings of the IDP council of the Khotyn community, forced migrants proposed to create a modern and functional co-working space on the basis of the Khotyn Support Academic Lyceum for woodworking and metalworking classes for adults and teenagers.
The creation of a co-working space contributed to the development of professional skills of the unemployed, lyceum students and further use of the acquired knowledge. Someone sold their handmade products at a charity fair, someone proudly took them away for personal use, and others gained knowledge and skills for further professional implementation.
43-year-old Yosyp from Kharkiv region moved to Khotyn after the war forced him to leave his hometown. At home, he was engaged in carpentry. But in Bukovina, a man could not work with wood due to the lack of necessary equipment and materials. Joseph admits that this depressed him and took away his confidence in the future.
When Yosyp found out about the newly created co-working space, he decided to try to restore his business. Thanks to the modern equipment and support provided by the project, he was able to return to carpentry. Joseph says:
"This project gave me the opportunity not only to return to my favorite business, but also to find new friends and partners. Now I can do what I love. Thanks to coworking, I feel like a part of a community where everyone supports each other."
The project continues its development, creating new opportunities for professional growth and strengthening social ties in the Khotyn community.
Also, the organizers of the co-working space taught everyone the rules of safety, the basics of wood processing, the construction of basic carpentry and products, the basics of working on woodworking machines, and metalworking technology.
In general, the initiative covered significantly more beneficiaries than originally planned, namely 232 people, of which 101 are IDPs. Currently, lyceum specialists here continue to teach children and adults even after the completion of the project.