“Action in Hope” Mini MBA Program Concludes in Samar: Participants Present Community Recovery Projects

Over five training modules, 30 participants—representing local government, business, and the civic sector—worked on developing business ideas and social initiatives designed to serve as practical tools for community development during the war and postwar periods. The projects defense was evaluated by the program’s coordinators and instructors: Fr. Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, Andriy Rozhdestvenskyy, Svitlana Buhay, and Maryana Kashchak.

The Role of the Church in Recovery

The organizers placed a special emphasis on the role of the Church in the process of societal recovery. Father Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, Director of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava,” stressed that today it is not enough to merely respond to the humanitarian challenges of war; it is also essential to foster an environment of responsible people capable of rebuilding their communities through entrepreneurship, social service, and mutual support:

“This is precisely why the Patriarchal Foundation ‘Mudra Sprava’ initiated the ‘Action in Hope’ mini-MBA program, striving to stand by people not only in times of pain and loss but also throughout Ukraine’s long-term recovery. The Church is called to become a platform of trust, development, and community unity in the difficult postwar period.”

Key Projects and Initiatives

The presented ideas spanned several vital areas, focusing heavily on social impact and rehabilitation:

1. Psychological Recovery & Family Support:

• Olha Niezhnova presented “Anima Facio. Recovery through Action.”
• Anastasiya Shtokalo introduced “Opora” (Support), a psychological aid space for military personnel and their families.
• Halyna Kozachyna developed “Stronger Together,” aiming to create a supportive environment for families coping with the consequences of war.

2. Veteran Rehabilitation & Inclusion:

• Oleksandr Vernydub and Oleksiy Hordiyenko presented “Koleso” (Wheel), an inclusive tire repair shop and wheel store designed to secure employment for people with disabilities.
• Maryana Lazurenko proposed establishing a physical rehabilitation space for veterans within a local cultural center, combined with a training center for pre-medical aid and mine safety.

3. Culture, Education, and Child Development:

• Olha Kostiuk presented the concept for the Melange Art Circus Center, an innovative space for child development through movement and performing arts.
• Anton Borysenko introduced the open art space “Workshop of Calm” to host arts and crafts workshops and provide creative support for the families of military personnel and IDPs.

4. Ecology & Local Business:

• Ryma Samoilenko presented an initiative for sustainable resource management: “Warehouse BIN 100. Evolution of Development: From Respect for the Land to Sustainable Development.”
• Danylo Kryvenko proposed “TurboStiazhka,” a business idea in the construction services sector aimed at boosting local entrepreneurship and reconstruction efforts.

Local Government Support

The project defense was attended by Serhiy Reznik, the Mayor of Samar, who highlighted the growing proactive spirit within the community:

“In Samar, there are more and more people who aren’t waiting for ‘better times’ to start their own business. A community’s economy relies on more than just large enterprises. It also relies on people who open a coffee shop, a workshop, a studio, launch their own production or service, and stay to work right here in Samar.”

“It is particularly gratifying,” Reznik added, “that such a program is taking place in our city, featuring instructors from the Lviv Business School and UCU. This is a powerful network, offering new knowledge and connections for those who want to keep growing.”

Participants emphasized that the “Action in Hope” mini-MBA served as both an educational platform and a collaborative space to find practical solutions for their communities. The organizers praised the high level of project preparation, noting how successfully the ideas combined economic development with genuine care for those in difficult life circumstances.

Press Service of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava”