Civil Society Development Forum: How Kharkiv IT Cluster is Uniting Efforts for Ukraine’s Resilience
IT ClusterOn December 5, the Kharkiv IT Cluster participated in the Civil Society Development Forum, a key platform for collaboration between businesses, NGOs, and governmental bodies. The forum focuses on consolidating efforts to address social, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Its main goal is to create joint solutions that foster sustainable societal development.
The event brought together participants from various sectors, who shared experiences, discussed innovative ideas and formulated strategies to advance the country. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about best practices and successful case studies, including several initiatives led by the Kharkiv IT Cluster. During the forum, we shared projects focused on supporting veterans, advancing human capital, supporting IT companies, and fostering collaboration between education and business. These initiatives highlight that the IT industry is not only a driver of technological progress but can also play a vital role in societal change.
Key Kharkiv IT Cluster Cases for Societal and Business Development
💪 Training Course to Strengthen Teams’ Operational Resilience
Kharkiv IT Cluster developed a training course to help IT company managers adapt to modern challenges. The primary goals of the course are to strengthen leadership skills, manage teams under stress, and ensure business process stability.
Together with Oleksandra Alkhimovich and Maria Kot, managing partners at APT Agency, Kharkiv IT Cluster launched a free training program titled «Manager Mastery» for its member companies.
Course Features
- Practical Approach. Participants received 25 tools and methods for effective team management.
- Interactive Format. Weekly practical sessions and modules with video tutorials provided flexible learning options.
- Retrospective Presentation. Participants presented the results of implementing new strategies within their teams.
Results
- Over 160 managers completed the training.
- 71% of participants received an Excellent rating.
- Companies saved $80,000 thanks to the free program.
This initiative demonstrates how investing in human capital development can prove vital even during crises.
🌐 Support for IT Companies Displaced by the War
Many IT companies lost their geographical base due to the full-scale invasion and had to relocate their teams. To help them adapt to new realities, Kharkiv IT Cluster launched the «IT Cluster in the Cloud» project.
Key Program Components
- Legal Support. Workshops and consultations on conducting business during war conditions.
- Networking. Creation of HR, PR, and marketing communities to share experiences and address pressing issues.
- Skills Development. Training on sales, LinkedIn usage, and attracting investments.
Results
- 600+ companies and 1,500+ specialists joined the project.
- 1,500 new jobs were created.
- $600,000 in new sales were generated.
This case demonstrates that even during challenging times, Kharkiv IT Cluster enables companies to maintain stability and foster development under new conditions.
🎓 Building Sustainable Collaboration Between Business and Universities
The growth of the IT sector in Kharkiv has been accompanied by a shortage of skilled professionals. To address this, the Kharkiv IT Cluster launched several initiatives fostering strong interaction between educational institutions and IT businesses.
Key Directions
- Modernizing Educational Programs. Updating curricula in collaboration with IT companies to align with market needs.
- Practical Training. Organizing internships for students at leading IT companies.
- Career Support. Running career marathons, *Hard Skills Exam* testing, workshops, and employer meetings.
Results
- Over 13,000 participants joined 300 events in half a year.
- 66 students completed internships, and 500 individuals tested their skills.
- 1,300 teachers upgraded their qualifications.
This initiative laid the foundation for long-term human capital development and increased competitiveness in the IT industry.
🪖 RazomTech: Supporting Veterans Through Innovation
RazomTech is one of the most important social initiatives led by the Kharkiv IT Cluster, focusing on integrating veterans into the civilian workforce via opportunities in the IT sector. This project supports both veterans and businesses, fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment.
Key Components
- Professional Training. Veterans have access to career orientation courses and mentorship.
- Career Consultations. Individual sessions help veterans adapt to civilian life.
- Awareness Campaigns. Encouraging businesses to hire veterans and creating an inclusive hiring climate.
Results
- 50+ veterans found new professional opportunities.
- 75 companies joined the program.
- «Resource Library» was created to support similar initiatives by other organizations.
RazomTech demonstrates how the IT industry can actively drive social change by helping veterans integrate into civilian life and economic activity more effectively.
🤝 Together We Build the Future!
Kharkiv IT Cluster expresses sincere gratitude to the ISAR Ednannia organizers for creating a vital dialogue platform. This event became a source of valuable ideas, partnerships, and opportunities for future development.
The forum demonstrated how collaboration between business, civil society, and government can address shared challenges. We believe that such events contribute to sustainable national development and the search for effective solutions to modern challenges.
We are proud to be part of this broad community, moving together toward a common goal: building a brighter future for Ukraine!
