How “VATRA ZHYTTIA” turns veteran support into a sustainable social business

The story of a Mykolaiv team that combined therapy, creativity and entrepreneurship to give veterans back their strength and sense of purpose. In July 2025 the civic organisation “VATRA ZHYTTIA” appeared in Mykolaiv, born from a need to change the approach to supporting veterans. Its founder Maria Borshch, together with the team, decided to create a space where veterans could recover through creativity, togetherness and a sense of usefulness. A small dream quickly grew into a social enterprise that combines therapy and economic resilience. Their approach is unique: they refused constant grant dependence and created “Vatra.Ceramics”, craft ceramics made in the process of art therapy. Each item here is not just a product but the result of working with one’s hands, of lived emotions and recovery. In parallel, the team develops educational products: online courses for veterans, their families and civilians. One such course, “The Code of Trust”, has already been viewed by more than 4,000 people. From point A to point B. The Impactpreneurship 3.0 programme became a turning point for the organisation. Before the training the “VATRA ZHYTTIA” team had only an idea and an informal team. Thanks to the Impactpreneurship 3.0 course they learned financial modelling for a social business, managed to turn their mission into a viable economic asset and created a clear development strategy. The mentors’ support was especially valuable, helping to combine…