A digital model of community development through the CLS platform

Every community has the potential for change, but it often lacks the tools and solutions to turn strategies into reality. The CLS for Development team found a way to bridge that gap. The team members are internally displaced persons from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions who, through their persistent work, created a project that is changing the life of a community. In the Mykolaiv region, specifically in the Doroshivka community of the Voznesensk district, they are implementing an initiative aimed at community development through the CLS platform. Thanks to their participation in the Impactpreneurship 2.0 course, their project has grown into a powerful tool of digital transformation that unites residents, authorities, and investors around a shared future. Their story is an example of how persistence and a belief in change can transform reality even in the most difficult conditions.

Iryna Karashchuk, the team captain, learned about the course from a colleague who had taken part in Impactpreneurship 1.0. "It is the best training I have ever taken part in. It helped not only to develop our project but also to strengthen the team," the colleague told Iryna. The decision to invite potential candidates to take part in the course proved strategic: "I knew that intensive training would be a kind of test and would show who was truly ready to work on creating social impact." This approach helped Iryna find genuine like-minded people. Two people could not keep up the pace, but three remained and became the backbone of the project. In total, Iryna's team now numbers around 30 people. They are managers, software developers, and construction-project management specialists.

CLS for Development has a clearly defined mission: to help communities use digital tools for transparent and effective governance. Iryna emphasizes: "For me, this is more than a project, it is a mission. I want every community to be able to feel real change." Their approach is to create digital "twins" of communities that integrate strategic plans into a single system. This makes it possible to move from ideas to implementation more quickly, attract investment, and optimize the use of resources. "Our project stands out because we offer a comprehensive approach. We help communities not just to plan but to see the whole picture in real time. The project also includes the ability to bring in partners and expert support for effective development," Iryna shares. The key changes are engaging residents in discussions, increasing the transparency of the authorities' work, and improving quality of life through the faster implementation of projects.

This project is also an excellent example of socially responsible business that integrates vulnerable groups into society. In particular, the CLS platform helps take into account the needs of internally displaced persons, fostering their integration and improving their housing conditions. In addition, the initiative focuses on support for: veterans, ensuring their integration into the community and the development of the necessary infrastructure; women, guaranteeing a gender-sensitive approach in implementing projects; children, improving educational and cultural infrastructure; young people, involving them in governance through digital tools; people with disabilities, making the community more accessible; and people of retirement age, improving social services for the older generation.

Participation in Impactpreneurship 2.0 brought the team important knowledge and contacts. "One of the biggest achievements is reaching the final. It confirmed that our project is relevant and has potential. We gained valuable fundraising skills and learned to present our ideas to investors," the team captain noted. The course also helped the team better understand how to scale the project. CLS for Development plans to reach at least 100 Ukrainian communities by 2025 and to develop the platform's functionality to cover additional areas such as energy efficiency and social infrastructure. The team also plans to establish strategic partnerships with investors and to develop new tools for involving citizens in the planning process. This will help communities achieve their goals more effectively and contribute to their sustainable development.

The course was an important stage in the professional development of Iryna and her team. "I became more confident in my abilities and learned to manage resources better. For the team, it was an opportunity to strengthen our collaboration, understand one another better, and develop new ideas." Despite challenges such as the need to balance the training with their main work, the team managed to overcome everything through clear planning and a division of responsibilities.

The example of the CLS for Development team shows how internally displaced persons can not only adapt to new conditions but also become a driving force for change. Their example motivates other internally displaced people to take an active part in community development, demonstrating leadership qualities and social responsibility.

Iryna advises all future course participants to be ready for intensive learning and to make the most of the opportunities provided. "Don't be afraid to try new approaches and share your ideas. Such programs are a chance that can change your project and the life of your community," Iryna emphasized.

The initiative "Course in Social Entrepreneurship 'Impactpreneurship' on the FUNdraiser platform" is implemented by the NGO "International Agency for Change" with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands and financial support from the European Union provided within the framework of the "EU4Recovery, Empowering Communities in Ukraine" project.