The Consulting Centre’s educational focus: a continuing good tradition

This time, the centre’s team participated as invited speakers in two important Church initiatives: the “MAPA communities” project, implemented by the Patriarchal Commission for Youth Affairs, and the “Strengthening Family Centres’ Activities” project, realized by the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Family and Laity Affairs.

For the second year, the UGCC Consulting Center contributed to the “MAPA communities” project, with speakers leading two training blocks on April 29–30 at the Marian Spiritual Center in Zarvanytsia. As Maryna Danyliv, Director of the UGCC Consulting Center, explained, “We discussed the legal and financial foundations for social and entrepreneurial projects by MAPA graduate priests, emphasizing the legal formalization of religious organizations and financial stability. Participants engaged by asking questions, sharing experiences, and networking for future project support.”

On May 6, the Consulting Center participated in its third educational seminar for family centers, organized by the Patriarchal Commission of the UGCC for Family and Laity Affairs. This session included laypeople and priests from the Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, and Chernivtsi eparchies. Maryna Danyliv reported, “We discussed the choice of organizational form for a family center, its legal aspects, and financial models—specifically, how to calculate service costs and ensure the centre’s sustainable operation. The seminar concluded with a practical session where participants could create their own financial models.”

According to the Director of the UGCC Consulting Center, all Church initiatives—from family centers and social projects to entrepreneurial ventures and programs for youth or laypeople—share common challenges. For any Church initiative to be viable and legally compliant, it requires proper legal formalization, encompassing its structure, employees, specialists, and partners.

Effective financial planning is equally crucial, with a solid model, balanced budgeting, and accurate forecasting forming the bedrock of sustainable growth. Maryna emphasizes that in every educational session, the success of any initiative hinges on combining spiritual vision with professional management.

These educational programs not only share knowledge but also foster a deeper understanding of community and clergy needs. It’s during these interactions that most requests for further consultations emerge, which Maryna finds inspiring.

“We believe professional support must be accessible and knowledge practical,” Maryna Danyliv concludes. “That’s why our educational focus is an integral part of our work.”