Citi Ukraine supports veteran entrepreneurship program of the DoLadu Center

Citi Ukraine and the NGO "DoLadu" have initiated a partnership focused on veteran reintegration projects. The bank awarded a grant totaling $80 thousand, which will fund the operation of the school of economics - DoLadu School.

This project aims to conduct a series of 4-day Economic Schools focusing on entrepreneurship and employment for veterans. The training program is designed to facilitate the social reintegration and adaptation of veterans to pre-civilian life, ultimately aiding their return to the labor market.

The DoLadu School participants are veterans who are seeking self-realization – whether they want to develop a career or start their own business. The program has been specifically adapted to help veterans identify their key talents, select a development path, and begin progressing in their chosen direction. The successful outcome of this initiative will be an increase in veteran-owned businesses and improved employment rates for veterans.

"Citi Ukraine is deeply committed to supporting veterans. With Ukraine having been at war for years, veteran reintegration is critically important. As a socially responsible company, we recognize the immense potential in initiatives like these economic schools. The DoLadu ecosystem offers a systematic pathway for veterans to re-enter the labor market, which will, in turn, significantly benefit the entire Ukrainian economy," said Alexander McWhorter, Citi Country Officer for Ukraine.

"We are grateful to Citi Ukraine for joining this vital mission to support the development of veterans after returning from the front. This effort is more than just targeted assistance to our defenders - it is support for the entire country and its future economy. Every day, veterans return to civilian life needing employment of support to launch their own businesses. Training veterans in this direction is a direct investment in the future, as every veteran-owned business will ultimately employ veterans. Together, we will ensure a dignified return to civilian life for our defenders, support the development of the economy, and secure the future of the country, said Krystyna Kurganska, Chairman of the Board of the NGO "DoLadu".

During the school, business coaches will advise participants on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, time management, talent discovery and other necessary knowledge. Upon completing the trainings, participants will not only feel more confident in the labor market but will be equipped to establish their own businesses alongside their fellow veterans from the DoLadu school.

Since February 2022, Citi and the Citi Foundation have donated more than $8.5 million to support humanitarian initiatives, including rebuilding schools, providing legal and psychological counseling to women, and helping Ukrainian refugees find safe havens in other countries.

About Citi Ukraine

Citi Ukraine is part of Citigroup, one of the four largest US banks by assets. We have been in Ukraine for more than 25 years.Our offer covers all aspects of cash and liquidity management, trading services and finance, treasury services, corporate finance and lending, securities servicing and services for issuers. We are honored to help unlock the country's economic potential by serving nearly 500 clients, including the public sector, multinational corporations, leading Ukrainian companies and foreign investors who wish to invest in the Ukrainian market.

About DoLadu

DoLadu is a public organization engaged in reintegration, psychological rehabilitation and socialization of veterans. DoLadu programs combine psychological assistance and the development of mental health programs, physical activity, retrainingand development of economic capacity. The main areas are: DoLadu CAMP, DoLadu SCHOOL, DoLadu COMMUNITY and DoLadu LAB.

"The NGO "DoLada" is a space of transition from war to life. We help veterans and their families get their lives back in order — psychologically, socially, and professionally. And we sincerely believe that by restoring veterans, we restore the country" - Khrystyna Kurganska, founder and head of the organization.