How training becomes the start of change: the story of Iryna from Dnipropetrovsk region

Iryna from Kryvyi Rih has been connected to art her entire life. Teaching painting and helping people through creativity is her true calling. For over 30 years, she has been teaching others to see the world through colors, lines, and images. Today, she works at a music school in her hometown, but more and more often, she feels the need to grow, move forward, and discover new opportunities.

At the beginning of this year, Iryna came across information about soft and business skills training on social media. Throughout her teaching career, she had never considered her work as something that could develop into an entrepreneurial venture. But this idea stuck with her: what if art could not only inspire but also become the foundation of her own sustainable project?

“This training was a real breakthrough for me. Some things were said at just the right time and in the right context. I had so many different ideas, but here I was able to structure them and, most importantly, understand the step-by-step path forward. This has been an incredible experience that gave me strength and confidence,” Iryna shares.

During the training, Iryna realized that her experience and skills could help others—those who want to explore themselves through creativity. And this could become her own project, taking her work to a new level.

Now, Iryna is actively working on her idea. She plans to open her own art studio-workshop where people can learn to paint, participate in creative masterclasses, and engage in art therapy. Throughout the years of war, she has volunteered extensively, leading art therapy sessions and helping people cope with anxiety and stress through creativity. Now, she wants to make this a part of her professional journey.

At the moment, Iryna is researching available grant programs, learning how to assess risks, and developing a business plan. She now has a clear vision of her path forward—and, most importantly, faith in herself.

“I used to think that business wasn’t for me. That art was more about the soul than about calculations. But the training opened my eyes: you can combine the two, do meaningful and impactful work that helps others, and at the same time grow professionally,” says Iryna.

Stories like this inspire us to keep moving forward. Because the most important part of learning isn’t just acquiring new knowledge—it’s discovering new opportunities. We are happy to see how training helps participants find themselves and turn their dreams into reality.

These training sessions are conducted in partnership between NGO “Responsible Citizens” and UNICEF, with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom.