When Community Becomes a Launchpad for Change

When Halyna Mishenina first walked into Ukreate Hub, she had no expectations. The war had brought her to Lithuania, leaving her with questions familiar to many Ukrainians in displacement: Who am I here? What can I do? How long will I be away from home? What she found at Ukreate Hub was more than a space — it was a community.

First Steps with Ukreate Hub

Halyna’s journey began with a small but bold idea: to help Ukrainian refugee women develop digital skills. Her project aimed to give women the tools to use technology — including artificial intelligence — for work, learning, and daily life.

Applying for a minigrant was not an easy decision. “I had doubts: is it needed now, here, and by whom? Will I be able to implement it the way I imagine?” But she decided to try, and when the grant was approved, everything changed. “It wasn’t just about the money. It was about trust. Someone believed in me and my idea before it even existed. That gave me confidence to move forward.”

Halyna successfully implemented her project in Klaipėda, where she has been living for three years since the start of the full-scale invasion. For her, the experience was not only about skills, but about finding her voice again.

Becoming Part of the Community

What began as participation quickly grew into something larger. Halyna found herself surrounded by people who inspired her. “Ukreate Hub became my circle of trust. At first, I came as a participant, supported by others. Later, I became a mentor and lecturer myself. Seeing how my knowledge helped other women find their strength gave me incredible energy.”

Over time, she noticed how the Hub itself transformed: “In the beginning, it was a place of support and confidence-building. Now it’s a strong, mature community built on trust, partnership, and real impact. The greatest value for me is knowing that here, even the smallest idea can grow into something bigger — and you’re never alone in that process.”

The Art of Pitching

Halyna’s growth was also shaped by the challenge of pitching her project. She describes it as both a learning curve and a breakthrough: “Pitching is like an art — sometimes even like extreme sport. The most important thing is clarity: your idea should be simple enough for anyone to understand. And confidence. People invest not only in projects, but also in you.”

Today, she teaches others these lessons, encouraging women to be authentic: “Don’t try to be perfect. Be real. That’s what inspires trust.”

Transformation and Next Steps

Looking back, Halyna sees a profound shift: from receiving support to offering it. “At first, I was someone testing ideas in a new reality. Now I feel that my experience has value for others. The transition from ‘I am supported’ to ‘I support’ changed everything. It gave me confidence, joy, and a sense of responsibility.”

Her work as a lecturer brought even more inspiration. “The greatest reward is seeing how advice or knowledge turns into real projects. That’s when you realize: you’re part of a bigger change.”

Today, Halyna is full of energy and ideas. “This program gave me a new flow of energy and wonderful connections. I feel inspired by every woman I meet here. The main thing is: I don’t want to stop. I want to develop new initiatives and share this energy further.”