Supporting children in hard times: the story of team “Alfa Erudyt”

Social entrepreneurship in Ukraine is gaining increasing significance as a tool for addressing pressing social problems. The "Alfa Erudyt" team from Chernivtsi, led by Yevhen Tkachuk, is a vivid example of how, with the support of educational programs, a single idea can be turned into an effective social enterprise. During its participation in the Impactpreneurship 2.0 program, the team not only refined its concept but also reached the super-final and secured the funding needed to achieve its goals. Their success is a testament to the importance of socially responsible business capable of making a positive impact on the community and creating conditions for sustainable development.

The creation of the "Alfa Erudyt" project was driven by a deep social problem affecting millions of children in Ukraine. The war has caused a large-scale crisis, as a result of which, according to UNICEF, around 2.8 million children are in need of psychological and social support. Constant stress, traumatic events, the loss of loved ones, a lack of resources, and a sense of danger significantly affect children's mental health and development. These circumstances create a need for comprehensive measures for emotional recovery and socialization. "Alfa Erudyt" was founded to help children overcome these challenges.

The team's core idea is to create a modern social enterprise that produces wooden developmental toys and equipment for psychologists and canine therapists, following a "One for One" business model. This means that for every toy sold, one will be given to a child from a low-income family of internally displaced persons, or from a family of veterans or of those killed or missing in action.

The team's mission is to support and nurture children, helping them overcome psychological difficulties through innovative solutions. The "Alfa Erudyt" team also emphasizes the use of eco-friendly materials, namely natural wood only, which ensures the safety and durability of its products. The team's vision is a world in which every child has access to the psychological support and resources needed for full development, in spite of any hardships. "We aspire to become leaders in producing wooden toys that make childhood happy and healthy," the team captain shares.

The team's path to success began with the Impactpreneurship 2.0 course on the FUNdraiser platform. Yevhen learned about the program from friends and decided to give it a try. His most important resource was his family: his wife and daughter took on part of the responsibility, ensuring smooth, coordinated work.

During the training, the team faced challenges, in particular the difficulty of compiling a list of the necessary equipment, since everything had to be researched independently online. Yet the mentors' support and the inspiration drawn from successful examples helped them overcome these difficulties. The results exceeded expectations, as the "Alfa Erudyt" team reached the super-final and secured funding to bring its idea to life. The team is now actively working on launching its own production, negotiating with local businesses, and planning to expand. Already, "Alfa Erudyt" is holding canine-therapy sessions for children in its community, demonstrating how social entrepreneurship can change lives.

The team has ambitious plans ahead, including scaling the project to other communities, creating new jobs, and developing production. For Yevhen and his team, it is important that their example inspires others to create socially responsible businesses.

"Impactpreneurship 2.0 changed our lives," says Yevhen Tkachuk. "We gained the knowledge we needed and confidence in our own abilities. We are glad to have become part of this great movement."

Today the "Alfa Erudyt" team is proof that social entrepreneurship in Ukraine is not only possible but necessary. They continue to work, changing the fates of children and communities, and demonstrating that combining business with a social mission is the path to a better future.