The “3D-modelling classroom” project: shaping the future through education and technology

In the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynske community in the Chernihiv region, a project is under way that could significantly shape the community's future. The project "A Class for 3D Modelling" became one of the winners of the FUNdraiser challenge. We had the chance to speak with team captain Yevhenii Bober, who told us about his team, the project, and their experience of taking part in FUNdraiser.

The "A Class for 3D Modelling" project emerged as a response to a series of challenges the community faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of the war. As Yevhenii Bober explained, the coronavirus disrupted pupils' social cohesion, while the war caused significant losses in the education sector. That is why the team decided to act, to give young people new opportunities to develop. The team consists of four people, each with their own role. Yevhenii is responsible for communications, Ivan handles finances, Vadym helps with a range of tasks, and Liza writes texts and runs the project's social media.

One of the key features that sets "A Class for 3D Modelling" apart is its focus on restoring a destroyed computer science classroom and creating modern conditions for learning 3D modelling. This will not only support young people's career guidance but also prepare them for the future, as 3D design skills are becoming increasingly relevant and in demand.

The team is aware of all the possible risks, from rising prices for computer components to the threat of missile attacks. Yet they are ready for these challenges and have a plan of action for every scenario, including adjusting the budget, seeking partners among educational institutions in Chernihiv, and creating safe conditions for learning.

The project has great potential for sustainable development. Training new pupils each year and getting them interested in 3D modelling will allow the project to exist and grow for many years. The team also plans to invite other communities to take part in their space, though for now they have no plans to scale the project beyond their own community.

Yevhenii names the sheer volume of work they had to handle as one of the main benefits of taking part in FUNdraiser. "Sometimes it is very hard; you need to grow as a civic organisation and acquire new skills. But these are all very useful lessons that are definitely needed in practice," he shares. The team completed all the tasks and challenges, which helped them develop creative skills, critical thinking, and organisational abilities. They learned to generate ideas and implement them quickly, which is important for successful project management. "FUNdraiser really brought our team closer together; we found new people and started working as one single mechanism," Yevhenii said. This cohesion was critical to the project's subsequent successful implementation.

The "A Class for 3D Modelling" project is a vivid example of how community initiatives can change people's lives, giving them new opportunities for self-realisation. We are glad that FUNdraiser became not only a platform for bringing this idea to life but also a means of strengthening the team, which will certainly help in future projects.

The "Fundraising Challenge" project is implemented by the NGO "International Agency for Change" with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the financial support of the European Union, provided within the project "EU4Recovery, Empowering Communities in Ukraine".