As part of the project "Creating a Supportive Inclusive Environment for Children and Youth," the "Stay at Home" Talent Hub opened in Drohobych, Lviv Oblast. This education and development space allows students to showcase their talents, acquire practical skills, and spend their time meaningfully.

The space was established on the premises of Drohobych House of Scientific and Technical Creativity for Student Youth. Its core mission is talent development and youth career guidance.

"We created this hub with a single goal: to prevent our youth from leaving for Brussels, Krakow or Warsaw and to encourage Ukrainians to stay and realise their potential here," Mayor Taras Kuchma said.

The project was implemented by NGO "Zatyshne Misto/ Cozy City" in cooperation with the Education Department of Drohobych City Council as part of U-LEAD with Europe – a multi-donor action of the EU and its member states Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Poland and Slovenia. Last year, Drohobych municipality participated in a call of proposals focused on the social support of residents. The concept of creating Talent Hub received strong support from international donors.

 

 

"The Mayor of Drohobych has repeatedly spoken about his desire to encourage young people to stay in the municipality, so it is no surprise that this idea was submitted to the call of proposals. Today, such projects often do not receive sufficient funding, as, in the context of the war, the main focus is on resilience, security and defense. However, projects aimed at supporting children and young people are equally important, as it is these people who will live in our country and rebuild it," Halyna Khrushchak, Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in Lviv Oblast, emphasised.

Initially, the residents of Drohobych relied solely on their own resources, but when non-governmental organisations, international partners, and various foundations embraced the idea, the project truly came to life.

"A grant is the initial impulse to get the process started, and then the progress gains momentum. Thanks to the support of U-LEAD, what we had originally planned to accomplish over six months was achieved in just one month," the Mayor said.

An important feature of the Talent Hub is that it is an inclusive educational space open to students from different schools, including children with special educational needs (SEN) and internally displaced children. To ensure accessibility for students who use wheelchairs, the classrooms were equipped with adjustable single desks. Alongside this, NGO “Zatyshne Misto/ Cozy City” purchased a foldable telescopic ramp to provide barrier-free access to the first floor. Thanks to cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe and GIZ, the Talent Hub was also equipped with a TV, laptops, a 3D printer with accessories, robotics kits, and a camera with additional equipment.

"A variety of extracurricular clubs operate here, alongside art and music schools. In the context of the full-scale war and an acute labour shortage, with a large number of children moving abroad, our task as a municipality is to ensure that children stay at home, study, acquire professional skills, and create right here, locally," Taras Perkhun, Project Manager of NGO "Zatyshne Misto/ Cozy City" stated.

Furthermore, the Tolocar mobile workshop is now traveling throughout the municipality. This educational project for schoolchildren, led by specialists from Donetsk National Technical University, allows children to participate in technical workshops and learn how to operate various types of equipment. In practice, it is a converted truck that travels to the municipality’s educational institutions, offering students workshops and hands-on activities in design, modeling, and 3D printing.

“Tolocar is part of the project “Effective Public Administration through GovTech and Transparency in Ukraine” implemented by GIZ and funded by the German government. We visit schools in rural areas where access to modern technology is limited. The Tolocar is equipped with a 3D printer, a laser cutter, an engraver, and a wide range of tools. Together with students, we create engaging projects. One of our latest projects comprised building small houses for cats and dogs. We also make homemade microscopes and many other things,” said Ihor Liutyk, Project Manager of “STEAM Mandry” at Donetsk National Technical University as part of the Tolocar initiative.

To help children determine their future careers, the NGO "Zatyshne Misto/ Cozy City" in collaboration with the Education Department of Drohobych municipality also developed a so-called "talent identification system." This is a gamified test – a labyrinth of questions on the Talent Hub website – where the student's answers lead them to the specialty that best suits their potential. In addition, an interactive map has been launched on the portal, highlighting various extracurricular clubs and after-school education facilities throughout Drohobych municipality. In the future, there are plans to introduce a map of local businesses and employers as well.

"I believe that you can thrive in your own country and your own city. The most important thing is to discover yourself and choose the right direction. The Talent Hub is a great place to discover your identity and unlock your potential," Anastasiia Tanchuk, a student at Drohobych Lyceum No.16, said.

Currently, the hub's young visitors are most interested in robotics, emerging technologies, 3D modeling, and operating 3D printers. However, these fields require a strong material and technical base.

"The opening of the Talent Hub has provided us with this unique opportunity. Now, we immediately put theoretical knowledge into practice. It has also made the work more engaging for our specialists as they identify and nurture gifted children," Yaroslav Aristov, Director of the House of Scientific and Technical Creativity for Student Youth, stated.

Viktoriia Popovych, a student at Ivan Franko Lyceum No.1, has also recently started attending the Talent Hub. She has already tried photo editing and attended a workshop on creating custom-designed tote bags.

"I attend art school, love to draw, and dream of becoming a fashion designer, which is why I chose these specific workshops. It is wonderful that places like this are opening where you can refine your skills. Everyone supports each other here; it’s a very friendly atmosphere," the girl noted.